Sr. Manager, Wildlife Conflict Resolution

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, NWF is seeking a Sr. Manager, Wildlife Conflict Resolution to provide leadership for scaling-up NWF’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution program and to develop, implement, and advance conservation initiatives that reduce conflicts between domestic livestock and wildlife in the American West, with a focus on grazing allotment retirements on public lands. This position will support the implementation of the National Wildlife Federation’s organizational strategic plan and Equity and Justice Strategic Plan, with an emphasis on the recovery of wildlife species, improving habitat connectivity, supporting fence-line and frontline communities, and scaling the adoption of landscape-scale wildlife conservation strategies. This work will require collaboration with internal and external partners across the West, including extensive work with private landowners and ranchers; federal, Tribal, and other governmental agencies; and the broader conservation community to advance policies and practices that accelerate the resolution of wildlife-livestock conflict. 

The Sr. Manager, Wildlife Conflict Resolution reports to and works closely with the Director of Western Wildlife Conservation, while collaborating with NWF’s teams from across Western regions and relevant national and regional teams (e.g., Public Lands, the ReConnect the West Initiative, Wildlife Policy, Western Water, Tribal Partnerships) and NWF state affiliates.

Major Areas of Responsibility (and Principal Duties)

The primary goal of the Sr. Manager, Wildlife Conflict Resolution will be to oversee the successful implementation and growth of NWF’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution program through the mechanism of grazing allotment retirements that resolve conflicts between wildlife and livestock while fairly compensating producers for retiring or transferring their grazing rights.

In this role, the Sr. Manager, Wildlife Conflict Resolution will be responsible for the following areas of work:

Oversee the implementation of individual grazing allotment retirement projects that accelerate the resolution of wildlife-livestock conflict.  These projects include the following duties:

• Build and maintain relationships with funders, agency officials, conservation partners, and livestock operators.
• Strategize priority target areas in which to pursue grazing allotments. Develop and maintain master lists of livestock operators with grazing allotments in priority target areas, and regularly contact these individuals to assess interest in negotiating retirements.
• Lead successful negotiations with allotment permit holders as well as with agency personnel.
• Work with NWF administrative staff to finalize retirement agreements.
• Support internal and external efforts to develop policy and legislation that reduce wildlife conflicts with grazing on public lands.
• Manage or support the implementation of grant-funded projects through to completion and reporting.
• Lead fundraising efforts to fund each allotment retirement.

Provide leadership for NWF’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution program. This includes the following duties:

• Work with partners within and outside NWF to evaluate and update priorities to achieve long-term conservation success.
• Explore new strategies to address wildlife conflicts with grazing on public lands.
• Achieve financial goals needed to advance NWF’s Wildlife Conflilct Resolution efforts, including fundraising, managing contracts, and collaborating with the Philanthropy team to increase revenue from grants and other sources.
• Cultivate and maintain authentic partnerships and serve as an ambassador for NWF’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution work.
• Work with Director of Western Wildlife Conservation and other NWF teams and colleagues to advocate for policy and legislative reforms in support of WCR Program goals.
• Lead the development of communications materials such as blog posts, press releases and social media posts that promote NWF’s Wildlife Conflict Resolution program. Work with Communications staff and collaborate with internal experts to strategically disseminate content.

Identify, promote and implement strategies that will address environmental injustices and inequities related to Western wildlife conservation, while incorporating Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) into program activities. Take a proactive and intentional approach to environmental justice and equity. Support transformative leadership and on-the-ground support for communities that have historically been marginalized, including with Tribes and fenceline/rural communities.

Advance NWF’s values of collaboration, empowerment, inclusivity, mindfulness, and mission-focused work as defined through the Strategic Plan.

Basic Qualifications:

Strong candidates for this position will have the following proficiencies:

• Understanding of terrestrial wildlife and land management policies and practices that affect Western wildlife-livestock conflict.
• Experience working with federal agency staff.
• Significant experience directly navigating natural resource conservation strategies with private landowners and/or ranchers.
• Experience in an organizational, agency, or program leadership role, with diverse responsibilities including fundraising, project implementation, and reporting.
• A personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity and justice, especially with understanding and competencies in working with Tribes and Indigenous communities.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and cultivate long-term relationships with diverse communities and organizational partners, and proven success in collaborating to achieve lasting results.
• Strong analytic and communication skills, both oral and written.

These proficiencies are typically consistent with seven or more years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. in Natural Resources, Environmental Science or Policy, or related field; post-graduate degree and/or relevant work experience desirable, and at least 10 years of relevant experience
• Ability to thrive in a multiple-task work environment, work independently with minimal supervision, set priorities and follow through to completion, with excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Proven collaboration and relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with diverse people, funders, and partners.
• Organizational leadership, including demonstrated proficiency in personnel management, teambuilding, and delegation.
• Demonstrated competencies that support fundraising capabilities, including relationship-building, highly-developed communication skills, and network-building.
• Demonstrates proficiency and success in cultivating donor relationships, soliciting gifts and stewarding ongoing support from new and existing major donors, in cooperation with philanthropy staff.
• Demonstrated competencies in environmental justice ethic and equitable organizational leadership
• Strategic thinking and vision – quickly grasps the subtleties of complex issues, and identifies ways to tackle problems with insight and equity, and a solutions orientation;
• Experience serving as a champion and ambassador, demonstrating the ability to communicate about, sell, or market a concept in a manner that leads to growth.
• Highly-developed oral and written communication skills, including public speaking experience, and the ability to effectively communicate ideas across disciplines verbally.
• Strategic thinking with demonstrated passion for developing and implementing system-change strategies.

Desired Competencies:

• Work with leadership to cultivate a culture of appreciation, growth, and accountability.
• Working collaboratively with diverse teams of professionals.
• Appreciating diversity of opinion as well as respect for individuals.
• Ability to cultivate compassion, optimism, and a solutions-oriented workplace.
• Be a self-starter capable of putting plans into action and meeting deadlines.
• Prioritizing time and working efficiently.
• Showing a high-level of performance in independent work and using problem solving, initiative and creativity.
• Organizing and presenting thoughts coherently and confidently in front of groups of all sizes.
• Negotiating and being innovative when presented with obstacles.
• Setting long-range goals, operational plans, work plans, and achieving measurable outcomes to achieve goals.
• Delegating work while providing necessary direction and resources to ensure success.
• Handling conflict effectively by listening and encouraging productive resolutions.
• Fostering an environment that is enjoyable and meaningful and plays to each team member’s strengths.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.  Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF’s mission

Physical Requirements of the Job:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note: 

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Travel Requirements: 

Coordination with NWF program partners and individual projects will require in-person travel to NWF’s regional offices (Denver and Missoula) and project locations across the West.  Regular travel will be required, anticipating 10-15 trips per year, 20-30 nights per year. Occasional travel for training, conferences and meetings will also be expected. Successful candidates must work safely and independently in remote locations around and demonstrate self-discipline and accountability for managing their field and home office workload efficiently.

Location and Work Mode: 

This position must be based in the continental Western U.S. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office, in a hybrid manner, or fully remote within the Western U.S., to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $77,000 – $85,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits in 2021, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers!  We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling.  We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting.  We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health: 

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules.  Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org  or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.