California State Director

About The Wilderness Society

The Wilderness Society (TWS) is a leading conservation organization working to protect America’s wild places and public lands for the health of local communities, wildlife, and climate. Founded in 1935, and now with more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 111 million acres of wilderness and to ensure the sound management of America’s public lands. TWS works to address the existential threat of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and deep inequities with access to the benefits of nature. TWS is working to achieve four major collective impact results: protecting 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030, transitioning off of fossil fuel development on public lands to well-sited renewable energy, securing equitable access to public lands and their benefits, and building a critical mass of support for conservation of public lands.

The Wilderness Society recognizes the historic and ongoing injustices perpetrated against Indigenous peoples, particularly those perpetrated by traditional conservation organizations, and is committed to being more conscientious and inclusive in our work. This includes working directly with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to support conservation outcomes that respect the priorities and concerns of Tribes to ensure a more just and equitable future.

Position Overview

The California State Director (Director) will play a leading role in advancing our mission of uniting people to protect wild places and our vision to create a future where people and wild nature flourish together, meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing planet. The Director plays a lead role in developing and overseeing implementation of TWS’ projects and initiatives within the state, striving to position TWS as a trusted collaborator with partners and decision makers. In addition, the Director will ensure TWS’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of our work in the state, including having equity embedded into the development and implementation of our state goals. This includes early and effective engagement with partners and, when possible, elevating communities that have been historically marginalized. This position will also cultivate existing relationships and further build a network to educate and influence decision-makers, media outlets, and opinion leaders on TWS’ work and priorities in the state.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic program priorities for the state in furtherance of TWS’ overarching goals and vision.
• Lead and/or help oversee implementation of projects and initiatives in the state and position TWS as a trusted collaborator among partners and decision makers.
• Ensure TWS’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of our work in the state, including having equity embedded into the development and implementation of our state goals. This includes early and effective engagement with partners and, when possible, elevating communities that have been historically marginalized.
• Foster existing relationships and further build a network to educate and influence decision-makers, media outlets, and opinion leaders on TWS’ work and priorities in the state.
• Work effectively with Tribal Leaders and communities and a wide range of diverse interests, including but not limited to elected officials, agency staff, lawyers, scientists, members of industry (e.g., timber, mining, etc.), user groups (e.g., recreationalists, ranchers etc.) and grassroots activists.
• Manage and mentor staff representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Provide leadership to internal multi-disciplinary teams and/or external coalitions where appropriate.
• Work in partnership with Giving & Impact staff, support efforts to raise funds and deepen donor engagement. This includes, but is not limited to, contributing to written proposals and reports, developing key funder relationships, and representing TWS at donor events (virtual and in person).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 8 years of experience working on or leading issue advocacy or political campaigns and/or working to advance public policy changes at the state or federal level.
• Experience leading and managing teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives. This includes a track record of successful recruitment, cultivation, and retention of highly skilled staff across race and gender.
• Strong project management experience and competency in cross-organizational collaboration.
• An effective leader, capable of meaningful engagement with Tribal leaders and communities and a wide range of diverse interests, including but not limited to elected officials, agency staff, lawyers, scientists, members of industry (e.g., timber, mining, etc.), user groups (e.g., recreationalists, ranchers etc.) and grassroots activists.
• Commitment to supporting others in accomplishing our goals in an equitable and inclusive manner. Proven cultural competency working with BIPOC and historically marginalized communities.
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills that can be applied to complex conservation issues, partnerships and coalitions.
• Strategic thinking skills and demonstrated ability to craft a compelling vision and set goals and priorities.
• Good time management skills, with the ability to aptly balance short- and long-term demands.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak effectively in public with donors, partners, elected officials, and the media.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of experience, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

The strongly preferred location for this position is Los Angeles. Other cities in California may be considered. The salary range for this position is $115,000-$125,000. If interested, please apply through our online application by February 23rd.

The Wilderness Society offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, sick and vacation leave, paid parental leave, a sabbatical program, and a retirement plan. TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair treatment of our employees and constituents across culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, veteran status or sexual orientation.

As an organization, we aspire to being inclusive in the work that we do, and in the kind of organization we are. Internally this means working as a team that listens to different points of view, recognizes the contributions of every employee and empowers each employee to bring their whole selves to work every day. Externally this means ensuring that public lands are inclusive and welcoming, so that our shared wildlands can help people and nature to thrive. We are committed to equity throughout our work, which we define as our commitment to realizing the promise of our public lands and ensuring that all can share in their universal benefits.

To learn more about our commitment, please see http://wilderness.org/our-commitment-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-wilderness-society