Conservation Director

About the position The Wyoming Outdoor Council is seeking a Conservation Director to oversee the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts on public lands, wildlife, and water issues across the state. This role involves supervising and supporting a Conservation Team of three staff, crafting programmatic goals and campaign plans in collaboration with the deputy director and other program directors, and taking on specific advocacy roles. The position requires developing and implementing campaign plans, drafting comments on projects and policies, reporting to funders and stakeholders, building cohesive teams, evaluating new conservation work, coordinating with partner organizations, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and collaborating with other program directors. The role also includes serving as a spokesperson, liaising with the Coordinating Council, traveling in-state, supporting equity and belonging initiatives, and attending board meetings and staff events. Candidates living outside of Lander are expected to travel to the Lander office at least twice per month.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Conservation Team, whose diverse areas of expertise include: wildlife, public lands, and water.
• Working with the deputy director, develop annual work plans and programmatic goals on priority conservation issues, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities to your team.
• Communicate openly, quickly, and directly with peers and supervisors with a growth mindset.
• Provide one-on-one check-ins with direct reports, helping them navigate challenges, and meet annual goals given day-to-day demands.
• Provide guidance for conservation team staff on effective advocacy tactics and action steps.
• Draft scientifically grounded, factually accurate comments on projects, policies, and proposals confronting Wyoming’s communities, intersecting with WOC’s mission.
• Develop and implement campaign plans with relevant goals, strategies and tactics, ensuring alignment with WOC’s strategic plan.
• Provide timely reports to funders, members, partners, and organizational leaders on outcomes of conservation strategy and tactics.
• Build a cohesive team by prioritizing internal team coordination and clear communication.
• Evaluate new areas of potential conservation work and staff capacity, directing research and engagement on emerging issues as appropriate and in alignment with our strategic plan, in coordination with the deputy director.
• Coordinate with partner organizations to identify and advance shared policy goals on local, state, and federal conservation issues across Wyoming.
• Engage with Outdoor Council members, partner group colleagues, Tribal, federal, state, and local leaders, interested members of the public, and agency decision makers to find creative, grounded conservation solutions.
• Collaborate with other program directors (energy & climate, legal and government relations, and organizing), the Tribal Conservation Team, and the Development Team on projects and deliverables.
• Work closely with the communications and organizing teams to develop accurate and creative ways to engage Outdoor Council members and the public in support of our issues.
• Design and execute innovative and engaging events to build community in collaboration with your team and the organizing director.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Wyoming Outdoor Council on relevant conservation issues as needed, in the media and in meetings with the public, elected officials, volunteers, and various state, local, and federal agencies.
• Serve as Conservation Team liaison to our Coordinating Council.
• Travel in-state as needed to events and meetings.
• Lean into the challenges and opportunities of working on issues statewide, seeking to be a builder, a uniter, and a leader for conservation in Wyoming.
• Take an active role in supporting our equity & belonging work.
• Attend and participate in quarterly board meetings and in-person staff days as well as an annual staff retreat.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• At least five years experience in conservation policy.
• At least three years of management/supervisory experience.
• Extensive background and understanding of conservation policies.
• Experience includes federal land management issues and local or state policies affecting lands, water, and wildlife.
• Experience developing and executing conservation campaign plans.
• Familiarity with various advocacy strategies and tactics that influence key decision makers.
• Comfortable working with a variety of stakeholders, including conservation organizations and cross-sector community partners, in addition to state and federal agency personnel.
• Ability to navigate interpersonal, team and partner dynamics.
• Clear and effective communicator: in one-on-one conversations, in writing, and in public speaking.
• Value both Western science and Indigenous ways of knowing, and lived experience.
• Familiarity with the history and governance structures of the two tribal nations that share the Wind River Indian Reservation.
• Ability to inspire and leverage the unique strengths of a diverse team in service of ambitious goals.
• Leadership approach of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly include others in decision-making.
• Ability to make and communicate difficult decisions in the Outdoor Council’s best interest.
• Experienced mentor.
• Committed to contributing to the Outdoor Council’s equity and belonging work.
• Enjoy traveling the state in support of conservation.
• Comfortable with frequent travel to Lander if living elsewhere.
• Like working flexible hours.
• Experienced working on Apple devices and the standard suite of office tools and technologies.
• Comfortable using Zoom.
• A valid driver's license and a clean driving record.
• Committed to the mission of the Wyoming Outdoor Council.

Nice-to-haves

• Candidates without an advocacy background, who are experienced team-builders and thoughtful leaders will also be considered.
• Candidates living outside of Lander, will be expected to travel to Outdoor Council Campus in Lander at least twice per month, in addition to other programmatic travel demands.

Benefits

• Health insurance premium covered at 100% for employees and 50% for dependents, spouses, and domestic partners
• 100% of employee vision, dental, disability, and workers comp premiums paid by WOC
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 5% match
• 12 days of paid wellness/sick leave per year
• Vacation accrual starts at 15 days per year
• 2 paid discretionary days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid religious observance leave upon approval by the executive director
• A cell phone stipend
• 12 weeks of paid family leave (available twice, after 18 months of employment)
• 8 weeks of paid sabbatical leave (available every five years with approval by the executive director)

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