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DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Senior Policy and Planning Specialist (National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program)

SALARY: $101,000 - $115,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat Conservation

REPORTS TO: Director, National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program

NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 0

LAST REVISED: April 2025

POSITION SUMMARY

This professional-level position is responsible for implementing Defenders of Wildlife’s federal lands portfolio and major campaigns to increase wildlife habitat protections and advance imperiled species recovery on the lands and waters of the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System. This position develops and executes multi-faceted strategies to defend and secure new conservation protections, initiatives, policies, regulations and laws for at-risk species by working with agency decision-makers, influencing members of Congress, building coalitions and coordinating relevant environmental community advocacy efforts, and, when necessary, supporting strategic litigation, among other activities. This position collaborates closely with staff throughout the organization including within the Species Conservation & Coexistence Department, Government Relations, Communications, Biodiversity Law Center, and the Center for Conservation Innovation.

The specialist will support the implementation of the Refuge System Program and lead, in coordination with the director, the visioning, development, and execution of the new National Park System Program. The position will shape priority initiatives relating to parks, preserves, monuments, and other units of the National Park System, and play a key advocacy role in enhancing the national policies, regulations, and management culture of both the Refuge and Park Systems for the benefit of biodiversity and federally listed species.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

+ Spearheads and coordinates Defenders’ efforts to advocate for policies to protect and restore habitat, to thwart and oppose policies and actions that threaten at-risk species, and to hold federal land management agencies accountable to their conservation obligations, including under the Endangered Species Act, National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, as amended, and the National Park Service Organic Act, among other laws.

+ Tracks the development and implementation of policies affecting at-risk species and habitat in the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System.

+ Engages in land management planning processes to sustain and restore biodiversity and develop models to inform land use policy. This will include identifying key opportunities to achieve desired results; providing policy and planning expertise; assisting with developing and maintaining relationships with relevant agency staff and decision-makers; supporting robust partner engagement; ensuring development of a strong administrative record; drafting objections and supporting litigation efforts.

+ Develops Defenders’ positions and comments on legislative and administrative proposals affecting parks and refuges, and coordinates with Government Relations and other conservation departments on developing new and responding to proposed legislation.

+ Research relevant topics and produce white papers, memos, reports, blogs, and other products for advocacy purposes. Coordinate with the Communications Department to develop and distribute outward-facing products and with the Center for Conservation Innovation to use technology to develop digital communication projects.

+ Produces and maintains comment templates and training materials, reflecting current agency policy and practice.

+ Coordinates closely with Defenders’ science team, identifying research needs and ensuring application of existing data, science, and mapping to priority planning processes.

+ Coordinates closely with the Biodiversity Law Center attorneys to develop and implement litigation and other legal strategies to advance Defenders’ priorities.

+ Informs and mobilizes citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters, on critical Refuge System and National Park System issues.

+ Initiates Defenders’ multi-department, inter-disciplinary teams as needed to fight harmful proposals and promote beneficial policies, practices, and programs that affect at-risk species and habitat on parks and refuges.

+ Develops and/or participates in external coalitions as needed to promote strategies and achieve objectives.

+ Serves as one of the Defenders’ expert points of contact internally and with external interests, the news media, coalitions, and policymakers.

+ Some travel is required for this position

+ Perform all other work-related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent; JDs strongly encouraged to apply.

Experience: 8 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Senior Policy and Planning Specialist (National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program)

+ Strategic Thinking - Formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.

+ Partnering - Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

+ Change Management - Knowledge of change management principles, strategies, and techniques required for effectively planning, implementing, and evaluating change.

+ Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

+ Ecology - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the interrelationships among organisms and their environment, including competition and predation, evolution and natural selection, population dynamics, and the impact of natural phenomena or human actions on natural systems, processes, and biota.

+ Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.

+ Public Planning - Knowledge of functions, principles, methods, and techniques of public planning, including those related to community planning, outdoor recreation planning, and natural resource management, such as environmental impact analysis and land use planning and zoning.

+ Respect - Fosters a fair and respectful workplace where differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.

+ Oral and Written Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Low temperatures.

High temperatures.

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Noisy environments.

Hazardous conditions.

Poor ventilation.

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised this position is union-eligible.