Tennessee Wildlife Federation
Director of Conservation Policy
Tennessee Wildlife Federation
Job Summary
Director of Conservation Policy
Nashville, TN
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Nashville, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to leading the conservation, sound management and wise use of Tennessee’s wildlife and great outdoors.
For over 70 years we have been one of the leading voices for sportsmen and conservation. As an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, our Conservation Policy program engages in legislative and regulatory matters on the local, state and federal levels that affect Tennessee’s natural resources and the interests of those who care about them.
Our other signature programs include Hunters for the Hungry, providing more than a half-million meals annually to hungry Tennesseans through venison donations; the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program, promoting the shooting sports and an outdoor lifestyle to nearly 2,000 student-athletes across the state; Youth Hunting and Fishing, which provides hands-on outdoor experiences to our next generation of sportsmen and women. Additionally, the Federation is actively involved in wildlife and habitat stewardship initiatives through our Habitat Conservation program.
The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) seeks a dynamic individual to work in its Nashville office to handle day-to-day affairs of managing its conservation policy program and related duties. This is a full-time position.
Job Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Serving as the “eyes and ears” of the Federation in the three areas of conservation policy where we currently conduct our work: the Tennessee General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, all state and federal natural resource agencies, and our grassroots friends and supporters. These duties include:
- Studying proposed policies and legislation to determine possible effect on Federation interests and positions
- Researching and analyzing legislation and policies directly and indirectly related to the Federation’s work
- Providing important information and data about Federation policy issues
- Working with CEO and board to develop and implement Federation conservation policy which requires:
- Collecting, organizing and disseminating significant amounts of information pertinent to conservation, natural resources, and policy development
- Providing written copy of these work products for both print and digital use
- Contacting members of the Tennessee General Assembly, U.S. Congress, state and federal natural resource agencies and other elected officials to persuade them to support policies and legislation favorable to Federation interests
- Work alongside the Federation’s communications team to utilize media and communications to promote the policies and messages that reflect mission accomplishment for the Federation. This capacity includes, but is not limited to:
- Assist with creating earned media/press opportunities and a high level of proactive engagement with social media
- On an as-needed basis, assist communications team with the creation of magazine, newspaper and other media articles to campaign for issues and other purposes
- Work with the Federation’s Director of Outreach to connect grassroots friends and supporters to Federation legislative and policy initiatives, and engaging our grassroots supporters to help move our policy initiatives forward.
- Work with Federation contractors who represent Federation interests at both the state and federal levels of government.
- Running the “day to day” operations of the Federation’s conservation policy efforts, including but not limited to:
- Supervising the Conservation Policy Manager
- Recognizing and prioritizing of issues
- Bringing problems and solutions to the notice of the CEO, and cooperatively work with CEO to ensure law and policy makers recognize these issues
- On an as-needed basis, creating campaigns or plans as solutions to gather support, undertake pressing challenges and/or support Federation policy interests
- Working with politicians and agency personnel in order to create legislation that maintains the interests of the Federation
- Develop new policy areas for the Federation
- Join political functions, social events, and attend relevant policy related gatherings
- Sustaining strong relationships with politicians, community members, and supporters, and at times serve as spokesperson for Federation issues
- Organizing events through the conservation policy program that strengthens the Federation’s influence over policy
- Work with CEO and board to evaluate, and if deemed necessary, create 501(c)(4) and political action committee opportunities to further conservation policy impacts in Tennessee
- Other duties as required by the CEO
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The ideal candidate must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities in order to be highly successful in this position.
Knowledge Requirements
- A healthy working knowledge of natural resource conservation, a basic understanding of the science which underlies it, and a strong understanding of how policy is developed and implemented
- A strong working knowledge of the following processes and topics:
- How state and federal legislation is formulated and passed
- How state and federal policies are formulated and implemented
- National and state level natural resource and conservation laws and policies
- Knowledge about current news and events, and an understanding of legislative activities
Skills and Abilities Requirements
- Research & Analysis – A strong ability to research policy issues and topics efficiently and effectively and communicate said research in written and oral capacities
- Observation – Ability to read fluid situations when engaging law and policy makers, and other people critical to the conservation policy workspace, in a manner that accomplishes the Federation’s policies and initiatives
- Critical Thinking – Ability to think, plan and execute strategically and tactically with regards to legislative and policy product development
- Negotiation – Ability to negotiate, on an as-needed basis, to forward the Federation’s conservation policy positions and initiatives
- Communication – Strong analytical skills and strong communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers (internal) and partners and policy makers (external). A strong ability to write effectively and persuasively
- Efficiency – Ability to sustain a highly organized work atmosphere and demonstrate good organizational and administrative skills. This includes the ability to manage time, organize workload and meet deadlines
- Interpersonal – Proven ability to develop and sustain relationships critical to Federation policy interests. Ability to be influential and convincing, and at the same time assertive
- Demeanor – Ability to handle high levels of stress and beat serious deadlines. Good judgment and creativity are also important qualifications
- Flexibility – Willingness to travel, work some weekends, and manage a variable schedule that will require work after hours, as well as, early in the morning. Willingness to endure inclement weather and conditions in the outdoors when necessary
- Proactive thinking – Ability to anticipate and identify challenges and needs well in advance, and develop responses and bring solutions to them.
TWF uses the following software packages, so familiarity with these packages is a positive
- MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher)
- Every Action Software
- Google products
Qualifications
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of four years of experience in public policy development, conservation policy development, governmental affairs or other related fields
- Experience in the following areas are considered important to this success of this position:
- Planning, running and executing issue campaigns
- Planning, running and executing relevant policy related social events
- Developing, writing, introducing and passing state and/or federal policies or legislation
- Existing relationships with relevant policy makers
- Grassroots advocacy work
- Proven effectiveness in written and oral communications
Additional Information
Benefits
TWF offers a competitive benefits package. TWF is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity.
How to Apply
Instructions as to how to apply
- To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: jobs@tnwf.org.
- Candidates who auto-send LinkedIn or other automated replies using existing profiles or forms will not be considered for the position.
- Phone calls regarding the position will not be accepted.
- Candidates should send their cover letter, resume, and writing sample to:
Mr. Tony Lance, Manager of Administration
Tennessee Wildlife Federation
300 Orlando Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Details
- Date Posted: August 6, 2020
- Type: Full-Time
- Job Function: Other
- Service Area: Environment
- Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk., M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, some weekends.