Director of Government Affairs

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on all private lands and many public lands in the United States.

NACD’s mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.

Position Description: This full-time position is responsible for providing assistance to the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Board of Directors and members to advance conservation, resource development, and to assist in the implementation of the association’s federal policies. The NACD Director of Government Affairs is the association’s primary liaison with Congress, federal natural resource agencies and groups with interests in responsible management and conservation of natural resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as staff lead for the association’s direct advocacy efforts.
  • Develops plans, strategies, and tactics to advance policy positions and supports grassroots efforts.
  • Leads efforts to influence legislation and policies related to natural resources conservation.
  • Monitors, analyzes, and responds to emerging legislation or policies impacting conservation. o Assists with preparing and reviewing briefings, talking points, testimony, letters, position papers, and comments on regulations, programs, policies and statements affecting conservation districts.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with Congress, federal natural resource agencies, coalitions and special interest groups to advance district policies and positions. o Serves as liaison to outside conservation and commodity organizations.
  • Represents the association in meetings and other public forums.
• In coordination with the NACD Executive and Management Teams, helps shape and implement NACD’s strategic plan and goals to advance conservation and continuously improve support to its members.
  • Coordinates with NACD Directors to implement communication strategies to conservation districts, state associations, government agencies, conservation organizations, and the public.
  • Provides leadership for NACD committees and subcommittees, as assigned. o Serves as staff lead for the association’s policy development and resolutions process.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.
  • Carries out tasks of managing, coordinating and implementing grant related activities related to specific national grants and cooperative agreements. o Assists in planning and executing NACD conferences and events.
  • Performs any and all related duties that advance the mission and purpose of NACD.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred in political science, public policy, environmental science or a related field.
• Working knowledge of conservation districts, federal natural resource agencies, and federal conservation programs.
• Significant professional experience working with Congress and federal agencies.
• Proven track record of building coalitions and maintaining effective partnerships that advance an organization’s policy agenda.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate legislative or policy proposals and their impacts on conservation.
• Excellent written communications skills, including experience developing congressional testimony and policy position papers.
• Strong public speaking skills and experience representing organizations through presentations or panel discussions.
• Some travel required (estimated one trip per quarter).

Location: This position is located in NACD’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This position reports to the Chief Program Officer.