Job description
Environment America Wildlife Advocate
America’s wildlife is on the decline. Just last year, 23 species were removed from the Endangered Species Act, not because they were saved, but because they’re gone. In addition to losing individual species, the total number of animals is dropping. Bird populations have declined by 3 billion in North America since 1970 — that’s more than 1 in 4 birds that have disappeared from our skies. It’s the result of habitat loss, pesticide use, insect declines, climate change and more.
We can’t fully “rewild” America. We can’t erase all roads, shopping malls and cities. We can’t instantly end all pollution. But we can do so much better. At Environment America, we’re working to save America’s wildlife by protecting and expanding their habitats, and by strengthening the laws that keep them safe. Environment America is seeking a Wildlife Advocate to work with our staff of researchers, campaign staff and communications experts to defend and strengthen the Endangered Species Act, protect our pollinators, advocates for wildlife corridors and other important wildlife protections.
Environment America is a national network of 30 state environmental groups with one mission — to change our country and our world to be a greener, healthier place. With more than 2 million members and supporters spread across all 50 states, our staff have been working for nearly four decades to promote national, state and local policies that put the earth first. For example, we’ve won policies that have resulted in more solar and wind power in 25 states, passage of the 2020 Great America Outdoors Act, America’s most sweeping conservation law in decades, and better protections for our rivers, streams, lakes and drinking water. We run campaigns that not only raise awareness but win results on the national stage, in states and cities, on the ballot and in the courtroom.
In every campaign we run, we put the earth first. Nothing else matters if we don’t have a healthy planet. Restoring and protecting the environment is our only mission. We also know that lasting progress for the planet comes one challenging step at a time. We have a bold vision of a greener world. But we know that making a difference often requires compromise. No single law can completely solve a problem, but each victory sets the stage for more action and progress. We also know that, to make progress sustainable, we need to reach out to everybody, not just the people who already agree with us. We recruit supporters from every state we can — whether it’s considered “red,” “blue” or “purple.” We work with any elected official — Democrat or Republican — who wants to protect our environment. And we do whatever we think will turn public opinion and political momentum toward a greener, healthier world.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Represent Environment America and advance our strategy on wildlife protection at the federal and state level. This may include but is not limited to:
Coalition building: Serve as the Environment America voice in wildlife coalitions, and drive efforts to build and expand our partners. Collaborate with Environment America’s state organizations on state-specific coalition strategy and development.
Fundraising: Build our program through raising more money from foundations and individual donors. This will include the cultivation of current donors as well as expanding our donor base to include new national, state and local funders. Working with our national grants team and large donor program, you’ll raise money to increase our reach and grow our wildlife program.
Message and communications: Write reports, fact sheets, news releases, blogs, op-eds, and other forms of communication to get our message in the media and heard by decision-makers and the public. Represent Environment America with reporters and be our national spokesperson on wildlife. Tell our message and our story to diverse audiences across the country, working closely with state directors and our national communications team.
Campaign coordination and development: Develop and drive implementation of campaign strategy and tactics. Work directly with our senior leadership to coordinate strategies and opportunities.
Research: Take complex data and distill it into clear, powerful conclusions that are easy to communicate to decision-makers and the public.
Staff recruitment and management: Participate in the recruitment and management of both interns and staff. Work closely with our training center staff to attend and lead training programs for staff at all levels.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of relevant experience and be:
An experienced communicator with excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Creative, effective at solving complex problems, and a strategic thinker with excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects.
A good people-person/listener with a track record of successful access-building.
Well-organized and able to track multiple campaign projects and organizational priorities such as fundraising and recruitment.
Three plus years of experience in grassroots organizing, coalition-building, campaign politics and/or advocacy.
A team player, with the passion and grit to build a movement and do what it takes to get the work done.
LOCATION
Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Sacramento, CA preferred
COMPENSATION
The target annual compensation for this position is $32,000-$40,000 and is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has. Environment America offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, our commuter benefit program, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off and long-term disability insurance. Compensation and benefits may vary based on location and experience. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.
APPLY
To apply, fill out our online application at https://jobs.environmentamerica.org/apply_309.html. Please address your cover letter to Kate Canada, Hiring Director.
Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/core-values.html for things you should know about our network when you apply.
Environment America is an equal opportunity employer.
Location
Details
Employer
Environment America
Job category
Advocacy
Employment type
Full Time
Experience
3+ years
Compensation
$32,000 – $40,000
Start date
Apply by March 1, 2023