<p>Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. For more than six decades, Defenders of Wildlife has been a leading force in the protection of wildlife and wild lands. We employ innovative, science-based approaches to protect imperiled wildlife, advocate for wildlife friendly climate and renewable energy policies and conserve and restore native habitat. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. Defenders&rsquo; approach is direct and straightforward - We protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America by transforming policies and institutions and promoting innovative solutions &ndash; and this approach makes a lasting difference for wildlife and its habitat. Defenders works on the ground, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill to protect and restore imperiled wildlife across North America and around the world. Together, we can ensure a future for the wildlife and wild places we all love.</p>

Vice President, Conservation Policy

<div><span><b>DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>POSITION DESCRIPTION</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>JOB TITLE: Vice President, Conservation Policy&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>SALARY: $170,000 - $185,000&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>FLSA:&nbsp; Exempt&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>DEPARTMENT: Conservation Programs&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>LOCATION:&nbsp;Headquarters, Washington, DC&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>REPORTS TO: &nbsp;Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 5 Direct &amp; 9 Indirect&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>LAST REVISED:&nbsp;August 2025&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b></b></span></div><div><span><b>POSITION SUMMARY</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>The Vice President, Conservation Policy manages Defenders’ national policy work to protect and restore our nation’s imperiled species and habitat. The Vice President oversees and coordinates Defenders of Wildlife’s development and implementation of polices and strategies to: strengthen the conservation of imperiled species and habitats; improve the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act and other federal conservation laws; protect, restore and connect federal lands and waters critical to imperiled species; promote the development and siting of climate- and biodiversity-friendly energy solutions; and develop next generation conservation policies and strategies. <span>The Vice President is responsible for advancing Defenders’ conservation mission, strategic plan and conservation priorities. This position collaborates closely with other departments including the Center for Conservation Innovation, Biodiversity Law Center, Species Conservation and Coexistence; Government Relations and Communications. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><span>&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;</span></div><ul><li><span>Directs a team of policy experts, lawyers and scientists on developing and implementing programs, policies and initiatives to improve the conservation of biodiversity.</span></li><li><span>Facilitates internal coordination of Defenders’ work to defend and strengthen the Endangered Species Act and other federal conservation laws.</span></li><li><span>Develops and implements strategies and initiatives to protect, restore and connect imperiled species and habitats on federal lands and waters, including on the national wildlife refuge, parks, forests and public lands systems.</span></li><li><span>Advocates for policies that promote the development and siting of climate- and biodiversity-friendly energy solutions. </span></li><li><span>Works with the leadership team to develop new, innovative strategies and policies to protect and restore imperiled species and habitats.</span></li><li><span>Drives development and implementation of conservation programs and initiatives to achieve strategic and programmatic goals and objectives, in coordination with the Conservation Leadership Team.</span></li><li><span>Provides 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.</span></li><li><span>Works with the Conservation Leadership Team, Development and Marketing departments and the CEO on fundraising to support and advance Defenders’ conservation priorities and programs.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Manages a high-performing team and provides results driven leadership by establishing annual work objectives and priorities and evaluating these objectives on an ongoing basis. </span></li><li><span>Works closely with the President &amp; 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.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Provides senior leadership for Defenders’ conservation work.&nbsp;In coordination with other departments, develop short- and long-range strategic plan objectives, organizational structure, and department staffing and budget requirements.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>In consultation with Defenders’ leadership and other departments, develops wildlife habitat and land conservation policy positions to achieve Defenders’ strategic goals and priorities.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Manages 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 Parks System, National Forest System, and the National System of Public Lands.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Works 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.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Works with nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders to promote sound wildlife conservation.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Directs, coordinates, and/or assists Defenders’ advocacy efforts to influence legislation, regulatory processes, and agency policies and actions impacting the conservation of imperiled species and habitats.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Represents 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.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Ensures 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.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span>Ensures communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitors 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.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><ul><li><span>&nbsp;Perform all other related duties as assigned.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span><b>QUALIFICATIONS</b><b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span><b>Education:</b> Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; advanced degree preferred</span></div><div><span><b>Experience:</b> 15 years; 7 years supervisory; 5 years managing 2+ layers</span></div><div><span>An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.</span></div><div><span><b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span><b>Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><a href="https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities">https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities</a></span></div><div><span>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b><span>Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Conservation Policy</span></b></span></div><ul><li><span>Experience with private, federal and state wildlife, land management and resource conservation agencies, and knowledge of wildlife and natural resource laws, regulations and policies.</span></li></ul><div><span>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b><span>PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS</span></b></span></div><div><span><b>Physical Activities</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Check all that apply&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>Frequency</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>O&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>O&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>C&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>O &nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Communicating with others to exchange information.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>C &nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>C &nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Operating machinery and/or power tools.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N &nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>O &nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>C</span></div><div><span><b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span><b>Environmental Conditions</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Check all that apply&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>Frequency</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Low temperatures.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>High temperatures.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Noisy environments.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Hazardous conditions.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Poor ventilation.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Small and/or enclosed spaces.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>N&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>No adverse environmental conditions expected. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span>C</span></div><div><span><b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span><b>Physical Demands</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Check only one&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>X&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span><b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span>Visit <a href="http://www.defenders.org/"><b><span></span></b></a><b><a href="http://www.defenders.org">www.defenders.org</a></b></span> to apply.&nbsp;</div><div><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>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.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their&nbsp;race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.</span></div><div><span>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span>Please be advised this position is NON union-eligible.&nbsp;</span></div>

Vice President, Conservation Policy

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