To Apply:Please submit resume & cover Letter through our online application system by May 26th

Please Note:the preferred location for this position is Anchorage, AK. Other locations in Alaska may be considered.

General Description

The Wilderness Society is focused on making America’s system of public lands part of the solution to the most pressing conservation challenges of our day: climate change, unprecedented species extinction and inequitable access to nature’s benefits. We work with diverse partners to find common ground around enduring conservation solutions, combining long term investments in community-led conservation, deep public lands expertise, and commitment to advocacy efforts that share voice, power, and impact.

Working closely with The Wilderness Society (TWS) staff and partner organizations, the Alaska Deputy Director provides critical support and leadership in engaging in place-based campaigns, agency planning processes and federal policy efforts to promote conservation goals and defend wildlands against various threats.

The Deputy Alaska State Director is a member of TWS’ Conservation team assisting with development of our program strategy, cross-departmental teams, the building of new partnerships, fundraising, and at times will serve as a spokesperson. Working closely with the State Director, the Deputy Director will help achieve Alaska specific outcomes, including transforming conservation policy and practice so all people benefit equitably from public lands, ensuring our public lands are a solution to the climate and extinction crisis, and incorporating indigenous rights, voices, and needs into our work.

The Alaska Deputy Director will support the State Director to develop, refine and implement conservation and political strategies that are grounded in sound science and pragmatic policy, and elevate diverse voices to advocate for conservation priorities in Alaska and in support of TWS national priorities. Additionally, this position plays an important role in supporting an inclusive organizational culture that is grounded in trust and accountability to shared goals and outcomes.

TWS has made diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities for the organization and the Deputy Director will integrate these priorities throughout our Alaska conservation work. Across our team, we aspire to be campaign oriented, nimble, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the State Director in the development of strategic program priorities for the state that further TWS’ overarching goals and vision.

• Coordinate with conservation partners and engage in TWS internal teams to develop and implement strategies that defend conservation values and result in permanent conservation protections.

· Participate in, and at times lead, broad coalitions that advocate for policy and/or place based management connected to TWS’ goals related to climate adaptation, fossil fuel emission reductions, community led conservation, energy policy, and large landscape designations that enhance the ecological health of the land and community well-being.

• Work effectively with a wide range of individuals and organizations, from lawyers, scientists, and policy specialists to grassroots activists to local elected officials, members of industry and other public land users. Identify and cultivate local community members and other voices to speak out in community settings and the media, building diverse support for TWS proposals.

• Coordinate with TWS staff at national and statewide levels including staff in Government Relations, Legal advocacy, Communications, Science and others to implement political and public relations strategies that defend against attacks on environmental laws and policy at the statewide and national level and advance our science-based conservation goals in Alaska.

• Coordinating with TWS Philanthropy staff, help steward existing relationships with program funders, support grant proposal and reporting needs, and as needed, assist with development outreach strategies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with federal, state, tribal, and local government officials and with key partner organizations.

• Help educate and influence Alaska decision makers on our state and national conservation priorities.

• Support the development and implementation of TWS’ diversity, equity and inclusion goals in the state, embedding equity into all conservation program work.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience, Competencies, and Education

• 5-7 years of experience leading issue advocacy or place-based campaigns and/or working to advance public policy changes at the local, state or federal level.

• Real world experience with environmental/conservation law and policy. Familiarity with agency land management planning processes and federal legislative process helpful.

· Ability to think and act strategically to achieve advocacy, policy or campaign goals.

· Experience working in teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives.

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, editing and speaking.

• Ability to work constructively with diverse constituencies and effectively in a coalition setting, including rural communities.

• Experience working with the media is preferred.

· Knowledge and experience working with Alaska Native Peoples on Alaska native issues and concerns is not required but beneficial experience.

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and networks among key stakeholders, government officials, donors, and partner organizations.

• Experience in fundraising from individual donors or foundations is preferred.

• Effective leadership skills and the capability to work with a wide range of audiences.

• A commitment to supporting others in accomplishing our goals in an equitable and inclusive manner.

• Good time management skills, with the ability to appropriately balance short- and long-term demands.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, or handle; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to adverse weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of experience, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

The Wilderness Society offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; sick and vacation leave; paid maternity & parental leave a sabbatical program; and a retirement plan. TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair treatment of our employees and constituents across culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, veteran status or sexual orientation.

As an organization, we aspire to be inclusive in the work that we do, and in the kind of organization we are. Internally, this means working as a team that listens to different points of view, recognizes the contributions of every employee and empowers each employee to bring their whole selves to work every day. Externally, this means ensuring that public lands are inclusive and welcoming, so that our shared wildlands can help people and nature to thrive. We are committed to equity throughout our work, which we define as our commitment to realizing the promise of our public lands and ensuring that all can share in their universal benefits.

To learn more about our commitment, please see http://wilderness.org/our-commitment-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-wilderness-society