[ES_JOBS_NET] [DC] Sr. Conservation Policy Analyst

Wed May 1 16:55:51 MDT 2019

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:  Senior Conservation Policy Analyst

GRADE: 27
FLSA: Exempt

DIVISION/SITE: Washington, D.C.
DEPARTMENT: Center for Conservation Innovation
REPORTS TO: Director, Center for Conservation Innovation

LAST REVISED: March 2019

BASIC SUMMARY:
The senior conservation policy analyst is an integral part of the Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI) of Defenders of Wildlife in the Washington, D.C. headquarters. In CCI, we pioneer creative, pragmatic conservation solutions at the intersection of science, technology, and policy, a unique combination of approaches essential in an age of increasing threats to wildlife and static or dwindling resources for conservation. We identify current and emerging conservation challenges, develop solutions that improve conservation outcomes, and use a suite of techniques and partnerships to advocate for those solutions.

Reporting to the director of CCI, the senior conservation policy analyst plays a lead role ensuring wildlife policy is integrated with and informed by emerging science and technology to improve imperiled species and habitat conservation. He/she is an expert in wildlife conservation policy with either (or both) strong scientific skills and/or technology development skills. He/she must be an energetic self-starter who imagines and is on the lookout for new, creative ideas to bring to conservation. Experience overseeing, contributing to, or implementing key components of endangered species programs is required, as is managing interns and junior staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
*         Provide leadership on policy analysis to support CCI's goal of finding creative solutions for conservation at the intersection of science, technology, and policy. The senior analyst's responsibilities may include:
o   critically reviewing proposed conservation policies, and developing new policies, in collaboration with others across CCI and Defenders;
o   data gathering and analysis for making policy recommendations and, as warranted, publishing in peer-reviewed journals;
o   either developing web applications and other data exploration tools or leading others in the development of such applications;
o   training analysts and data specialists in CCI in the art of integrating science and technology with policy;
o   collaborating with internal and external partners; and
o   advising the director of CCI on the current state and emerging trends in conservation policy.
*         Projects led or carried out by the senior analyst may include those that identify combinations of policies, science, and technology that enable or accelerate:
o   recovery planning and implementation for imperiled species;
o   monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of wildlife conservation programs at a broad scale;
o   compliance monitoring for wildlife laws and policies at federal, state, and other levels;
o   incentive programs for private landowners, states, and federal agencies to carry out needed conservation; and
o   broadening the wildlife conservation constituency through community science, engagement with nontraditional partners, and other forms of engagement.
*         Supervise junior policy analysts and interns, and help CCI staff with their policy-related data research and analysis questions. Ensure that projects and regular job requirements, such as weekly reporting, are completed in a timely fashion. Ensure direction from Defenders' leadership, including the director of CCI, is shared with and contextualized for supervisees.
*         Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  *   Education: PhD or equivalent terminal degree in conservation biology, environmental science, environmental policy, public policy, or another field that is directly relevant to conservation of imperiled species.

*         Experience: 7+ years of experience in research and policy analysis regarding wildlife conservation or environmental policy. Experience with science and policy matters involving endangered species conservation at a state wildlife or federal natural resource agency or department is helpful.

*         An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

*         Other:

*         The candidate will have a combination of the policy experience specified above and one or both of the following:

o   Science background, with an emphasis on advanced data gathering, management, and analysis skills using R, python, or other open source programming languages. Intermediate knowledge of geographic information system software, such as ArcGIS or QGIS, is highly beneficial; and/or

o   Technology background, which may include software or hardware development for addressing wildlife, environmental, or similar civil society challenges. A focus on open source development is highly beneficial.

*         The ideal candidate will be an expert and exhibit a long-standing and deep interest in a domain that complements the skills of the CCI team. Examples include marine or plant biology, environmental psychology, conservation governance, or software engineering.

*         Excellent research, writing, and communication skills. Proven ability to quickly and accurately analyze environmental policies and communicate the assessments clearly and concisely for non-technical audiences in plain English.

  *   High aptitude for solving complex environmental problems and creative thinking. Strong attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to follow through on tasks and meet deadlines.
  *   Working knowledge of the Endangered Species Act and related regulations and policies. Familiarity with other federal and state natural resource and administrative procedure laws, and with the environmental policy development process within the Executive Branch of the federal government.
  *   Working knowledge of the principles of conservation biology.

*         Experience successfully managing people on quantitative research projects.

*         Experience working alone and as part of highly collaborative teams.

*         Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team. Self-starter with a flexible nature who knows when to seek direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
*         While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
*         General office working conditions, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

COMMENTS:
*         This position requires occasional travel.

How To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest and resume through our jobs portal at http://www.defenders.org/jobs

Additional documentation, such as self-edited writing sample (up to 15 pages) is welcome via e-mail at: HR at defenders.org<mailto:HR at defenders.org?subject=Application%20for%20Web%20Developer>.

It is the policy of Defenders of Wildlife to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, in all personnel actions.

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.

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D4DFFD.D7B8F610]<https://defenders.org/>

Carmela French
Recruiting Manager
Pronouns: she/her/hers
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE<https://defenders.org/>
1130 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
TEL: 202.772.0262  FAX: 202.682.1331
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Visit https://defenders.org<https://defenders.org/>!

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