Southwest Wildlife Advocate

Role Summary

The Southwest Wildlife Advocate (SWA) is broadly responsible for developing and implementing strategies to advance WildEarth Guardians’ priority state-level wildlife campaigns in three to four states (including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada), to protect and restore key species, rein in cruel practices, reform state wildlife governance to be more ethical, scientific, and democratic, and to help achieve a world where wildlife is respected and valued. This is a remote flexible position depending on your location and our nearest office, with preference for candidates located in CO, NM, AZ, or NV. This position is union-eligible.

The SWA utilizes community engagement, policy, lobbying, communications skills, and science in support of these objectives. The SWA engages and supports allied organizations, individuals, and communities to advance work and build power. The SWA may work with the Organizing Program to engage frontline and disenfranchised communities who rely on functioning ecosystems. And, the SWA will communicate Wildlife Program work internally and externally, educating the public about imperiled species along the way.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Campaign Direction and Coordination (75%):

• Work with the Director to direct and coordinate all aspects of state-level work to protect and restore priority wildlife species (e.g., wolves, Canada lynx, bobcats, coyotes, bears, mountain lions, and beavers, etc., in priority states, as identified by the Director and organizational leadership.
• Explore and develop priority campaigns and accompanying strategies to achieve big wins for native wildlife in collaboration with the Director
• Develop and maintain key relationships with strategic allies and partners in the conservation community, decision-makers and other allies who are values-aligned,
• Represent WildEarth Guardians as a leader in advocating for the restoration, recovery, and conservation of native wildlife species in the American West.
• Build political and social power by engaging the public (prioritizing disenfranchised frontline and fenceline communities) contribute to narrative movement building based on WildEarth Guardians vision for a thriving, biodiverse, and just American West.

Campaign Communications (20%):

• Communicates wildlife and focused campaigns’ work to the public, media, and WildEarth Guardians’ members and supporters as part of a broader effort to inform the narrative discourse around wildlife, public lands, and people in the American West. Develops compelling materials,stories and collaborates with communications staff to deliver them to appropriate audiences.

Administration, Fundraising, Organization Commitments (5%):

• Assists the Director and development staff with grant writing and reporting, and potentially with foundation and donor visits as needed to support organizational objectives. Participates in staff meetings, committee meetings (if applicable), and all staff and program retreats. Engages and works synergistically with other staff;
• Provides insight, information, and assistance to staff as needed;
• Engages in organization-wide discussions and training on relevant issues such as strategic planning, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills,

• Knowledge of state-level decision-making structures and processes, and how to navigate them;
• Knowledge of wildlife and conservation issues impacting wildlife across the American West;
• Passion for protecting wildlife across the American West;
• Strong relational skills, including the ability to connect with non-traditional allies and disenfranchised fenceline and frontline communities, and interest in building partnerships with diverse stakeholders;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Creative, self-starter with proven ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Commitment to intersectionality and principles of justice, equity;
• Interest in power/movement building, storytelling, and other creative advocacy strategies;
• Analytical and strategic ability to prioritize;
• Ability to recognize and act on opportunities, and anticipate potential future consequences.

Qualifications

• Experience with developing and executing campaigns involving multiple strategies to achieve tangible outcomes;
• 3+ years of experience working on movement building, conservation issues, and wildlife;
• Multimedia communications skills a bonus.