Representative, Government Relations

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is the premier U.S.-based national conservation organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of imperiled species and their habitats in North America. 

Defenders’ approach is direct and straightforward – We protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America by transforming policies and institutions and by promoting innovative solutions. We speak with one voice informed by scientific, legal and policy expertise, hands-on wildlife management experience and effective advocacy.

POSITION SUMMARY

This professional position, Representative, Government Relations, is responsible for advancing Defenders of Wildlife’s legislative and administrative interests before Congress, the Administration, and the media. Issue priorities are drawn from Defenders’ current priorities, including endangered species; wildlife; national wildlife refuges, national forests and public lands; and related appropriations issues. Responsibilities include: leading multi-group legislative campaigns involving direct lobbying; developing legislative strategies; leading and/or participating in inter-departmental campaign teams; leading and/or representing Defenders’ interests in national issue-based coalitions; helping to develop grassroots and communications and social media strategies; working with and monitoring Congressional committees; drafting reports, fact sheets and testimony; obtaining legislative and political information; and generally assisting the advocacy work of Defenders’ Government Relations and External Affairs department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Clarify and advance Defenders’ legislative/administrative goals for assigned issues
• Regularly work in coalitions with advocacy staff at partner organizations to strategize politically, craft messaging, determine legislative targets, and help determine resource allocations for national issue campaigns
• Employing sound political judgment, build an effective network of congressional, coalition and public support to advance assigned issues
• Utilizing strong legislative judgment, identify and implement effective legislative/administrative strategies and projects to advance assigned issues
• Continually marshal, leverage, and organize inter-departmental and, where possible, external resources on assigned legislative/administrative issues through ongoing campaign planning, project management, legislative targeting, team building, and coalition leadership
• Implement, as appropriate, various aspects of issue campaigns through activities including: direct lobbying; coalition representation; legislative, policy and legal analysis; multi-party negotiations; bill drafting; direct and grassroots lobbying materials development; action alert drafting; testimony and public presentations; media representation; and drafting press materials and legislatively focused Web content.
• Closely monitor legislative developments in assigned issues and disseminate timely information about those issues throughout the organization
• Provide timely responses to requests for progress reports, funding proposals, budgets and other information requested by departments including:

1. 1. Government Relations, Communications and Philanthropy
   2. Contribute to the development of Defenders of Wildlife’s legislative Report Card through activities by identifying potential votes and drafting vote descriptions
   3. Effectively contribute to Defenders’ positive image on Capitol Hill, with outside organizations, and in the media
   4. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent in Natural Resources, Public Policy, Law, Biology, Education, or related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience 4 years of Capitol Hill or other legislative experience and/or education, preferably involving natural resource issues. Experience working with wildlife conservation issues and knowledge of federal resource agencies, laws, treaties and policies dealing with use and conservation of natural resources. Political experience, judgment and sensitivity, including a thorough understanding of lobbying, resource and appropriations committees, budget process and federal legislative procedures and grassroots targeting. Experience developing, implementing, and managing legislative and advocacy campaigns on a national level.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.