Policy Advisor, Western Lands

Policy Advisor, Western Lands Boulder+6 More Locations

Salary Range: $55,000.00 To 89,500.00 Annually

Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Policy Advisor to join our Western Lands Team. Working under the direction of the Western Lands Policy Manager, the Policy Advisor will develop and advocate for policies and measures that protect lands and habitats and that promote access for all to the natural world. The Policy Advisor works with guidance from senior members of the Western Lands team. This position will develop and maintain relationships across the West with conservation community partners; elected officials, their staff, and agency staff; and other stakeholders. This is a great opportunity to join WRA’s growing Western Lands Team, working with an impactful team of policy and conservation experts.

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position may work remotely in one of the states in which the Western Lands Program is active (Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, or Utah), in one of our six offices, or a hybrid of the two. WRA has offices located in Boulder and Denver, CO; Carson City, NV; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Fe, NM. 

Responsibilities And Activities

• Develop and advocate for policies and measures that protect and connect western lands and habitats as well as promote equitable access for all to the natural world with guidance and direction from senior team members.
• Monitor and engage in relevant policy developments and provide strategic advice.
• Prepare comments, expert reports, and other materials for formal or informal processes in which the Western Lands Program is involved with guidance and direction from senior team members.
• Research and analyze current and emerging land conservation issues and policies including legislation, ballot initiatives, executive actions, and other similar efforts.
• Develop and maintain relationships across the West with conservation community partners; elected officials, their staff, and agency staff; and other stakeholders.
• Effectively engage in coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.
• Coordinate with other WRA policy teams to execute a common set of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with WRA policy, Government Affairs, and Marketing and Communications staff to craft outreach strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA’s positions to stakeholders and decision maker.
• Assist with grant proposals and reports and other development activities.

Required Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include: 

• At least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience and familiarity with conservation, biology, wildlife, public policy, outdoor equity, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to understand, complex legislative processes and policy pathways.
• Ability to write and communicate clearly, and explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences, including non-experts.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and follow‐through.
• Commitment to WRA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

Preferred Qualifications 
Degree in conservation, biology, public policy, law, or other relevant field.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $55,000 -$89,500 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Policy Advisor, Western Lands!

Thank you for your interest in the Policy Advisor position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position; and
• Resume.

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.