State Advocacy Manager

About Project Coyote*: Project Coyote protects North America’s wild carnivores and promotes compassionate coexistence through education, science, advocacy, and coalition building.  Read more here.

Job Description: The State Advocacy Manager (SAM) is responsible for overseeing  Project Coyote’s state policy and advocacy campaigns which are aimed at protecting North America’s wild carnivores. The SAM will work in close coordination with the Project Coyote staff, including the Carnivore Conservation Director and our communications team, as well as State Representatives to advance the organization’s Carnivore Conservation advocacy campaigns and Coexisting with Carnivores public education campaigns. The SAM will be responsible for tracking all active state level policy campaigns and will directly manage and oversee Project Coyote’s growing network of State Representatives (volunteers) and State Coordinators (paid staff). The SAM will provide support to the policy and advocacy work of State Representatives, producing advocacy tools and resources to help advance state policy and advocacy campaigns. 

We are looking for a go-getter to join our highly effective and exciting organization which is undergoing strategic expansion. The ideal candidate is deeply committed to wildlife conservation and animal advocacy, has experience in policy and advocacy work, community organizing, and volunteer management, and is willing to be creative in engaging diverse audiences for the purpose of advancing our mission of promoting compassionate coexistence with North America’s wild carnivores. 

Responsibilities: 

• Oversee, train and manage a growing network of State Representatives (volunteers) and State Coordinators (paid staff) to advance campaign work related to carnivore protection, policy, and grassroots advocacy at the state and local level.  (30%)
• Coordinate Project Coyote’s state carnivore policy and advocacy campaigns—developing, researching, and advancing annual campaign work plans. (20%)
• Oversee the implementation and execution of campaign work plans by assisting with comment letters, action alerts, eblasts, talking points, factsheets, press releases, online actions (e.g. advocacy letters; petitions; one-click actions), and other relevant resources needed for state campaigns/initiatives. (20%)
• Liaise with the communications team to ensure all state programmatic and campaign work is parlayed in the organization’s communications platforms. Contribute as needed to Project Coyote’s communications, including quarterly e‐newsletters (Coyote Chronicles), Notes from the Field blogs, social media platforms, petition sites, relevant commentaries for online publications, e‐alerts, press releases, etc. (10%)
• Track state legislation and policy initiatives of the State Representative and Coordinator team, staying apprised of all active policy efforts, and provide updates to core staff. (10%)
• Represent Project Coyote at meetings, hearings, and other events and with state advocacy coalitions, serving as a spokesperson for Project Coyote by engaging and speaking knowledgeably about Project Coyote programs and advocacy initiatives with a variety of audiences including existing and potential donors and influencers. (10%)

Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of three years’ experience of demonstrated management skills and experience in the nonprofit sector; ideally at least two years’ experience in wildlife policy and advocacy. Graduate degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Successful track record of project and team management from conception through implementation.
• Nimble and exceptional communication skills (written and oral) that engage and inspire action among diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications.
• High-energy, positive, “can-do” attitude, with strong initiative and follow-through.
• Experience managing remote staff and volunteers/interns is preferred.
• Ability to successfully manage and cultivate external stakeholders and relationships and to maintain professional demeanor in all communications, even in controversial and highly charged situations.
• Working knowledge of and fluency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Proficiency (or the ability to quickly become fluent in new digital platforms) working with CRM software, Asana, Slack, and Circle.
• Strong belief in the mission and values of Project Coyote and demonstrated commitment to wildlife conservation.

Compensation: Salary range: $65-$75K- DOE; and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision and dental insurance,  paid holidays and winter break (office closed between Christmas to New Years), professional development stipend, paid vacation, sick leave and generous sabbatical leave.

Location: Remote

Start date: Open until filled. We will begin reviewing applications starting August 6th.

To apply: Please send a letter of interest and CV or Resume to: jobs@projectcoyote.org. Please include “State Advocacy Manager” in the subject line.

*Project Coyote is a fiscally sponsored project of Earth Island Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, public interest, membership organization that supports people who are creating solutions to protect our shared planet. EII provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.