Forest and Wildlife Program Director

VNRC is seeking a highly motivated mission-driven professional to join our team as our next Forest and Wildlife Program Director. This position manages and coordinates programs and policies related to forests, wildlife and biodiversity, and related topics such as public and private land management, land conservation, and land use related to natural resources. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement policies, programs and initiatives to maintain the integrity of forests and sustain healthy wildlife populations and maintain biodiversity at the statewide, regional, municipal, and landowner levels.
• Convene and facilitate partnerships and coalitions to coordinate policy discussions and advocacy with key partners and diverse external stakeholders.
• Build strong working relationships with lawmakers, relevant agencies, organizational leaders, and community members who work on issues related to forest and wildlife, and provide expert testimony before the Legislature.
• Stay informed of current trends and practices in conservation, land use, and forest management and conduct additional research as needed.
• Represent VNRC and its positions on forest and wildlife issues externally (media interviews, op-eds, panels, conferences, etc).
• Collaborate closely with other staff, including the Executive Director, Policy Director and other Program Directors, to advocate for policies that are coordinated with other VNRC programs including sustainable land management, land and water conservation, energy policy, land use policy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Assist in funding efforts, including meeting donors and writing grant proposals and reports, for initiatives to protect and maintain Vermont’s forests and wildlife species.
• Oversee and support day-to-day implementation of grant-funded projects, ensuring the timely completion of deliverables and budget management.
• Supervise and manage staff, interns or sub-contractors as needed.
• Work with VNRC legal staff and attorneys at partner organizations to develop and implement legal strategies to further policies that ensure the protection of Vermont’s forests, wildlife and habitats.
• Assist in litigation (if the applicant has a law degree).

The above list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected for the Forest and Wildlife Program Director, but it is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. The Program Director will have latitude to identify priorities and all staff may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time.

Desired Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of professional experience in natural resource policy, conservation, ecology, forestry, wildlife and/or natural resource management;  applicants may demonstrate a combination of education and lived experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired
• Expertise in forest and wildlife policy development and advocacy
• Legislative advocacy experience, especially familiarity with the Vermont Legislature
• Demonstrated ability to build constructive and trusting relationships across an organization and with partners through the use of diplomacy, humility, political savvy, tact and patience
• Excellence in all forms of written and oral communication
• Project management, facilitation and conflict resolution skills, especially in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to juggle competing priorities with poise and resilience
• Commitment to the conservation of Vermont’s natural resources, the health of Vermont’s people and communities, and environmental, social and racial justice
• Willingness to travel throughout Vermont, including occasionally on evenings and weekends
• A masters degree, law degree and/or legal experience is a plus

Equal Opportunity Employer:

VNRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates whose identities have been historically underrepresented in the environmental movement, including people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, or people of color; people from marginalized economic backgrounds; and people living with disabilities. ​​Applicants should share VNRC’s commitment to centering equity, environmental justice, diversity, and inclusion in our work.

Compensation: 

• Starting salary of $65,000-$90,000 depending on qualifications and experience
• Additional benefits stipend of $21,000 that may be applied to health insurance, child care, or taken as additional salary
• Simple IRA with employer match of up to 3% of salary after six months
• Flexible and supportive work environment with hybrid remote/in-office options
• Opportunities for employer-paid professional development
• Generous paid time off, including personal, sick, vacation and holiday time