Senior Policy Advisor – Western Dry Forests & Fire Program

OFFICE LOCATION
Location: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

Expected to travel up to 25% of role.

WHO WE ARE
The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) new Western Dry Forest and Fire Program (WDFFP) is seeking an experienced government relations professional to steer the design and implementation of strategic policy initiatives. This person will help to transform the approach, scale, and effect and will guide the design and implementation of strategic policy initiatives that help to transform the management of dry, frequent-fire forests across the Western United States.  This role will assist in furthering TNC’s 2030 goals, including increasing the health and resilience of 50 million acres of dry, historically frequent fire or mixed-fire forests across the western U.S. and Canada.

The Senior Policy Advisor will be a part of the WDFFP core staff team and will work in close partnership with TNC colleagues across the West and at the national level to harness the collective knowledge, capacity and relationships needed to maximize our positive impacts for people and nature. We expect the candidate to embrace the concept of a new role and program and to help shape the evolutionary scope, breadth, and delivery of the position. This position will strengthen our collective public policy engagements with an emphasis on increasing the resilience of forest lands to the impacts of drought, wildfire, and climate change through work with state and federal elected officials, state nature resource agencies, and federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USDA National Resource Conservation Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This position will engage with a wide range of external partners and decision-makers at multiple levels.  Emphasis will be placed on engagement with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to develop and promote policy approaches that reinforce tribal fire sovereignty, cultural forest management practices and related priorities.  The position will elevate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all aspects of our policy work.

This position will report to the Western Dry Forest and Fire Program Director.

The Senior Policy Advisor:

• Serves as an expert government relations strategist, relationship manager, and resource for the WDFFP.
• Identifies and pursues collective policy action at the federal and state or multi-state levels.
• Works under the guidance of the WDFFP Director and in partnership with TNC’s state-based and North America government relations staff.
• Works in coordination with TNC’s North America Indigenous Rights Relations Program, Tribal Nations and other Indigenous communities and organizations in the West to identify and facilitate west wide alignment on mutual priorities.
• Works with the US Forest Service (Washington Office, Regional and Individual Forest levels), Department of the Interior Office of Wildland Fire and with other public agencies as appropriate (e.g., FEMA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, state Natural Resource agencies) to promote WDFFP goals.
• Works with strategic partners in the corporate and nonprofit sector to facilitate, align, and leverage shared policy agendas to promote WDFFP goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE:

• Guides the development and implementation of a West-Wide Forest and Fire policy agenda that advances the goals of the WDFFP along with complementary North America strategies.
• Coordinates and aligns state and federal-level policy advocacy to maximize impact and to influence and drive public funding for forest restoration, prescribed fire and related work in the western US and Canada.
• Works with TNC’s North America Policy and Government Relations (NAPGR) Team to represent the West with the US Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Department of the Interior, Western Governors Association, Western State Forestry organizations, and other relevant organizations in the Western U.S. and at the national level as appropriate; and coordinates with relevant state-based government relations staff on local engagement.
• Works with TNC’s North America Indigenous Right Relations Program, to build partnerships with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and Inter-Tribal organizations to incorporate aligned values and priorities into TNC’s advocacy for forest and fire policy priorities.
• Coordinates the development and dissemination of policy positions on priority topics to relevant audiences.
• Provides opportunities to build and communicate state-focused model legislation, policy initiatives and other state-level policy strategies.
• Engages with media on WDFFP policy priorities in coordination with appropriate TNC North America communications and marketing colleagues as well as those in relevant states.
• Represents a Western-focused voice on national level forest & fire policy discussions.
• Elevates equity in all aspects of the WDFFP policy portfolio with particular attention to challenges faced by Western communities impacted by fire.
• Aligns with program goals and values.
• Follows all applicable TNC policies and procedures in engaging with decision-makers, reporting time, lobbying compliance and media representation and engagement.
• Undertakes additional tasks as discussed and requested through the WDFFP leadership team.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, natural resources, or other relevant field and 5 years of government relations or corporate sector experience, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Experience developing and promoting policy proposals to achieve specific outcomes and reach strategic organizational goals.
• Experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment.
• Experience developing, directing, and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Experience with communication and presentation.
• Experience with negotiation skills.
• Experience with public funding.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in political science, environmental policy, public administration, natural resource management, or related field.
• Experience developing and advancing state and/or federal policies and programs that address forest and fire management priorities relevant to the western United States.
• Experience developing government relations strategies in a multi-state context.
• Experience building effective coalitions to advocate for policy solutions.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, using influence and communication skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
• Experience working in partnership with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, including Intertribal organizations.
• Experience integrating equity into policy and program strategies.
• Experience communicating in a clear and compelling way via both written and verbal formats.

WHAT WE BRING
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world! 

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

SALARY INFORMATION
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $80,000 – $115,000 or annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

The location for this position is negotiable in the continental western United States.  

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.