Vice President, Land & Habitat Conservation

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Vice President, Land and Habitat Conservation

CLASSIFICATION: Executive 1

SALARY: $143,000 - $158,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat Conservation

LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC or Denver, CO

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs

NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 6

LAST REVISED: January 2024

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President for Land and Habitat Conservation leads Defenders’ national policy work to conserve federal and private lands vital to maintaining and recovering this nation’s biodiversity. The Vice President develops and oversees policy initiatives designed to protect, connect, and restore federal lands critical to imperiled species with an eye to long-term transformation of federal lands systems for biodiversity. Current work focuses on the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, and National System of Public Lands. The Vice President also leads Defenders’ work to bolster and accelerate private land conservation through national-level administrative and legislative advocacy. These programs involve a wide range of policy, legal, advocacy communications, and scientific strategies to conserve wildlife.

Priority areas include protecting federal lands and waters important to the conservation of threatened and endangered species; developing and promoting incentives to conserve biodiversity on federal and private lands and waters; influencing federal administrative and legislative initiatives impacting imperiled species and ecosystems and other natural resources; and maintaining and enhancing the ecological integrity of priority wildlife habitat and biodiversity in general. The Vice President works closely with senior leadership to advance organizational vitality and diversity, equity, inclusion and justice values and goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIE

• Drive development and implementation of conservation programs and initiatives to achieve strategic and programmatic goals and objectives, in coordination with the Conservation Leadership Team.
• Provide leadership to ensure resources are focused on high-impact conservation strategies and projects, while also making ongoing recommendations to executive leadership regarding future conservation investments.
• Coordinate with other members of the Conservation Leadership Team to effectively deliver conservation outcomes and advise on issues related to federal and private land conservation policy.
• Work with the Conservation Leadership Team, Development and Marketing departments and the CEO on fundraising to support and advance Defenders’ conservation priorities and programs.
• Manage a high-performing team and provide results driven leadership by establishing annual work objectives and priorities and evaluating these objectives on an ongoing basis.
• Work closely with the President & CEO, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs, and other members of Defenders’ senior leadership to provide leadership direction on matters involving Defenders’ organization, programs and culture.
• Provide senior leadership for Defenders’ land and habitat conservation work. In coordination with other departments, develop short- and long-range strategic plan objectives, organizational structure, and department staffing and budget requirements.
• In consultation with Defenders’ leadership and other departments, develop wildlife habitat and land conservation policy positions to achieve Defenders’ strategic goals and priorities.
• Manage Defenders’ programs to provide for the long-term conservation and sustainable management of federal public lands and waters for imperiled species and other wildlife, focusing on the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, and the National System of Public Lands.
• Work with federal agencies, Congress, state agencies, tribes and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate consideration of the effects of climate change on biodiversity in management of lands and habitat nationwide and in determining public policy to address climate change.
• Work with private landowners, land trusts, other nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders to promote sound wildlife conservation on private lands.
• Direct, coordinate, and/or assist Defenders’ advocacy efforts to influence legislation, regulatory processes, agency policies, and land management plans involving issues of land and habitat conservation.
• Represent Defenders in public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, coalitions, and in general communications with public officials, legislators, the news media, Defenders’ membership, the donor community, and the public.
• Ensure optimum performance for individuals and group function. Recommend and implement techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, and maintain state-of-the-art practices for the department.
• Ensure communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitor performance. Provide regular coaching and counseling. Identify training needs. Prepare and deliver salary and performance reviews; review and approve performance and salary appraisals as necessary. Work with the Human Resources department, resolve staff disciplinary issues.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; advanced degree preferred

Experience: 15 years; 7 years supervisory; 5 years managing 2+ layers

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 Executive 1

Administrative

• Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
• Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

Communication

• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
• Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
• Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments
• Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

Critical Thinking

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
• Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
• Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work
• Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
• Strategic thinker with the ability to create high-level strategy, identify organizational-level impact, and translate strategy into relatable points and action steps.

Project Management

• Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
• Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
• Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
• Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion
• Ability to create and implement programs, initiatives, and/or systems which will result in organizational-wide impact; assess specific needs; design oversee implementation; establish benchmarks and track key performance indicators; provide recommendations for improvements; advocate and champion the program internally.

Coalition and Community Engagement

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and/or the general public.
• Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate issues impacting Defenders’ mission and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
• Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.

Conservation Knowledge

• Expert-level knowledge of Defenders’ legal, scientific, and/or political issues
• Expert-level knowledge of national and regional social, political, and ecological landscapes

Leadership and Management

• Ability to foster a team and organizational culture which models the tenets of the Commitment Statement
• Ability to connect employees and their work to Defenders’ mission
• Ability to set and maintain clear expectations, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities
• Ability to ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level
• Expert-level knowledge of Defenders’ business and people systems and processes
• Ability to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and high-functioning environment
• Ability to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in department and organizational-level decisions
• Ability to manage employee conflict and resolve escalations in an inclusive and healthy manner
• Ability to effectively lead and manage change
• Ability to develop mid-level leaders and staff to their highest capabilities, through delegation, coaching, empowerment, and professional growth opportunities
• Ability to provide effective feedback in real-time
• Ability to create and implement team and organization-wide strategies in support of Defenders’ Strategic Plan

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Land and Habitat Conservation

• Experience with private, federal and state wildlife, land management and resource conservation agencies, and knowledge of wildlife and natural resource laws, regulations and policies.

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.

O

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

O

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

C

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

O

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

N

Communicating with others to exchange information.

C

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

C

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

N

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

O

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

C

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

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

Low temperatures.

N

High temperatures.

N

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

N

Noisy environments.

N

Hazardous conditions.

N

Poor ventilation.

N

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

N

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

C

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

X

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, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.

Please be advised this position is NON union-eligible.