Carnivore Campaign Lead

~  WildEarth Guardians is a conservation organization working to protect and restore the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers and health of the American West. ~

Position Overview 

Guardians seeks a full time Carnivore Campaign Lead to work in our Wildlife Program. The Campaign Lead will advocate for the conservation and long-term sustainability and resiliency of native carnivore populations in the American West, with a focus along the Spine of the Continent in Montana, Colorado and New Mexico.

The position will include working on issues impacting bears, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, foxes, lynx, Mexican wolves, and wolverines, among others.

The Campaign Lead will expand existing and develop new campaigns, strategies and tactics to end trapping on public lands; challenge contest hunting; curtail the federal Wildlife Services program's indiscriminate poisoning, trapping, and aerial gunning practices; and support Guardians' advocacy for gray and Mexican wolf preservation and restoration.

The Campaign Lead will also develop cases and assist in litigation, primarily under the Endangered Species Act, Freedom of Information Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

The Campaign Lead will be the primary contact for the media on most carnivore issues, will draft online content, and will engage in social media campaigns. The position reports directly to the Wildlife Program Director and may directly manage an organizer and an intern and/or fellow. 

Responsibilities 

• Implement Wildlife Program priority campaigns and projects to protect native carnivores;
• Build and maintain relationships with agency officials, Congressional staff, scientists, citizen activists, partner organizations, and the media to promote carnivore conservation;
• Draft, review and edit a variety of written materials, including reports, petitions, factsheets, press releases, articles, e-communications, and website content related to carnivore protection campaigns;
• Speak for the organization on carnivore issues, including press interviews, public presentations, and testimony before agencies;
• Manage Guardians' wildlife organizer, and legal interns and/or fellows;
• Work independently, with other program staff and with communications staff to ensure high visibility of all carnivore campaigns and strategies, including working with traditional (print, TV, radio) and new (all e-platforms) media to amplify program activities and successes;
• With Guardians' legal team and the Wildlife Program Director, develop and coordinate litigation, administrative challenges and policy initiatives to protect carnivores; and
• Assist Conservation Services staff as needed on communications, events, grant requests and reports, etc. 

Qualifications 

Essential qualifications include: 

• Passion for protecting endangered species, particularly native carnivores.
• A demonstrated commitment to conservation advocacy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A sense of humor.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the Endangered Species Act.
• A minimum of three years experience in wildlife conservation law, biology, and/or wildlife management policy.
• Interest in developing wildlife-focused litigation.
• Knowledge of federal administrative processes and rulemaking under the National Environmental Policy Act and Administrative Procedure Act.
• Knowledge of state, regional and national wildlife policy and politics.
• Traditional media experience including writing press releases and giving print, television and radio interviews.
• Ability to think strategically and implement long- and short-term projects.
• Ability to multitask and manage long and short-term deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, problem solving, and trouble-shooting skills.
• Intermediate computer skills, including word processing, Excel database/spreadsheet management, and graphic design.
• Ability to work effectively with a diversity of people and constituencies.
• Staff management experience.
• A healthy sense of outrage! 

Additional desirable qualifications include: 

• Advanced degree in biodiversity protection or environmental and natural resources law (strongly preferred).
• Formal organizing training and/or campaign planning and execution experience.
• Formal expertise in carnivore biology. 

Intermediate or advanced social media interest and skills: 

• Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Experience with event and activity logistics and planning.
• Familiarity with the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services program. 

Special Job Requirements: 

• Willingness to travel semi-regularly around the western United States, as well as occasional travel to Washington D.C. is required.
• Willingness to work flexible work hours, including some weekend and evening hours is also necessary. 

Compensation: Salary is DOE. Additional benefits include generous vacation, sick leave, health and dental insurance, retirement and exceptional work environment. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to send inquiries and applications for the Carnivore Campaign Lead addressed to Bethany Cotton.
• Applications should include a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample (ten pages or fewer) and must be received by COB Friday December 5, 2014.
• Please do not send your cover letter in the body of an email; PDF documents are preferred.
• Please mention how you learned of this opening.
• No phone calls please.
• Due to the volume of applicants and other workload, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

~ WildEarth Guardians is an equal opportunity employer ~