Conservation Director

Wyoming Outdoor Council•Lander, WY

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wyoming Outdoor Council is the state’s oldest independent conservation organization. We advocate for Wyoming's environment and communities using multiple knowledge systems and evidence-based practices to ensure comprehensive and long-term solutions. We seek to enact lasting change that protects the land, wildlife, clean air and water we depend on, meet people where they are, ensure diverse perspectives are part of the conversation, build coalitions, and practice reciprocity. The Wyoming Outdoor Council offers a flexible workplace with competitive compensation and benefits. As the Wyoming Outdoor Council’s conservation director, you oversee the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts on public lands, wildlife, and water issues across the state of Wyoming. You will supervise and support the work of the Outdoor Council’s Conservation Team of three staff. Working closely with the deputy director and other program directors, you will help craft short and long-term programmatic goals and associated campaign plans to ensure the implementation of our strategic plan. The conservation director will also take on specific advocacy roles depending on interest, experience, capacity, and organizational need.

Requirements

At least five years experience in conservation policy
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 and are familiar 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.
Active and empathetic listener who seeks to understand, rather than simply to provide answers.
Clear and effective communicator: in one-on-one conversations, in writing, and in public speaking.
Familiar with the history and governance structures of the two tribal nations that share the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Able to make and communicate difficult decisions in the Outdoor Council’s best interest.
Experienced mentor and recognize learning is life-long.
Committed to contributing to the Outdoor Council’s equity and belonging work to ensure the organization is a welcoming place for all staff, board, volunteers, community members, and organizational partners.
Enjoy traveling the state in support of conservation and are comfortable with frequent travel to Lander if you live elsewhere.
Experienced working on Apple devices and the standard suite of office tools and technologies.
Comfortable using Zoom, and are also aware of its limitations.
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.
Strategic thinker and are inspired by our mission to protect Wyoming’s environment and quality of life.
Experience developing and executing conservation campaign plans and are familiar with various advocacy strategies and tactics that influence key decision makers.
Like working collaboratively, and approach challenges in the spirit of problem-solving and a growth mindset.
Successfully navigate interpersonal, team and partner dynamics.
Care deeply about reaching out to people in communities around Wyoming, sharing resources, and helping interested Wyomingites make their voices heard.
Value both Western science and Indigenous ways of knowing, and lived experience, and what it brings to conservation in Wyoming.
Inspire and leverage the unique strengths of a diverse team in service of ambitious goals.
Leadership brings a clear vision and recognize the value of divergent perspectives.
Approach leadership with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly include others in decision-making.
Like working flexible hours.
Strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.

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.
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.
Other duties as assigned.

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)