Habitat Policy Manager (Hybrid/remote)

Washington Conservation Action seeks a Habitat Policy Manager to advance policies and campaigns that protect and restore healthy habitat for salmon and communities around Washington. The Habitat Policy Manager analyzes and develops policy and advocacy strategies for habitat initiatives. Through collaboration with Tribes, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community members, the Habitat Policy Manager supports equity- and science-driven approaches for salmon and ecosystem recovery. The Habitat Policy Manager reports to WCA’s Puget Sound Program Director.

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies and pushes for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.

In January, Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental council unified under a shared brand—Washington Conservation Action. This evolution as organizations builds on our 50 years of work and history of bringing people together to solve Washington’s most critical environmental issues. We develop, advocate, and defend policies that ensure environmental progress and justice by centering and amplifying the voices of the most impacted communities. Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) partner organization. Together, we advance a shared a vision for a Washington state where nature and people live in balance for the flourishing of all.

Washington Conservation Action is based in a LEED-certified building in downtown Seattle with a view of Elliott Bay. Our team of nearly 40 works in a flexible hybrid model, with staff in the office two days a week for collaboration and celebration. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support hybrid work. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference. We are committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes Warm Springs, Oregon.

Responsibilities:

The Habitat Policy Manager will be responsible for implementing and expanding our portfolio of approaches to protect and restore aquatic habitat. This position will engage with Tribes, state agencies, local governments, partner organizations and coalitions. The successful candidate must be able to identify strategic opportunities to effect durable environmental changes.

Salmon Habitat Recovery:

• Provide expertise on managing natural resources such as streams, shorelines, and forests for ecosystem and salmon recovery including Kitsap County’s Natural Resources Asset Management Program.
• Identify and implement opportunities to advocate for habitat protection and recovery from summit to shoreline, including broad-scale land use policy, riparian habitat protection, and shoreline restoration. 
• Engage in multi-year advocacy and policy development related to net ecological gain as a transition beyond no net loss of habitat.
• Strategically engage with local governments to support integration of salmon and ecosystem recovery planning and local plans, such as but not limited to Shoreline Master Programs and Comprehensive Plans under the Growth Management Act.

General Responsibilities:

• Center and advance racial equity and tribal sovereignty in external and internal programmatic work. Grow and deepen authentic relationships with Tribes and communities of color to better center and amplify their voices in decision-making.
• Effectively communicate team efforts and advocacy positions to a range of audiences (e.g., newsletters to members, media, comment letters to government officials, grant reports and applications to funders, elected officials, and multi-media tools that reach new audiences in creative ways). Build the Program’s communications capacity in collaboration with the communications team, including identifying opportunities to develop blog posts, member education emails, storytelling, and other communications.
• Build relationships and identify opportunities for synergy and collaboration with internal political, government affairs, forest, and climate programs, that include but are not limited to developing materials for candidates and elected officials, collaborating on legislative approaches to durable change, local climate action planning, salmon and ecosystem recovery, comprehensive planning, and clean water.
• Work effectively independently, as a critical member of the team, and in coalitions with partner organizations while maintaining a professional and respectful approach.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships within and beyond the environmental community that further program goals.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection, environmental justice, and tribal sovereignty.
• Knowledge of Washington state and Puget Sound region, including laws, policies, regulations, legislative process, and rulemaking.
• Policy experience with local, state, and federal laws related to salmon recovery, including the Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, and Clean Water Act, and at least three years of experience in environmental policy, science, law, or a related field that builds knowledge and analytical skills.
• Able to research and recommend measurable attributes of ecosystem structures and functions.
• Able to evaluate highly complex policy and technical issues to find the root causes of problems or policy triggers to effectively advocate for positive change.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and interests.
• Strong writing, verbal and analytical skills to ensure consistent and precise communication of perspectives and ideas, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to perform confidently and comfortably in conflict situations and dynamic environments.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to travel across Washington as needed (see Working Conditions).

Desirable Skills:

• Experience working productively with or within environmental justice organizations and tribal nations.
• Experience with grants and foundations.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full time, exempt position with a salary range of $59,000 to $64,500 depending on experience. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical & dental insurance, 401k plan & organizational match of up to 3% of your annual salary, a flexible spending account, three weeks of paid vacation to start, a separate pool of sick leave, 12 paid holidays per year plus four floating wellness days, an unlimited ORCA transit pass, dedicated professional development funds, and if you work for seven consecutive years you are eligible for a two-month paid sabbatical.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This is a full-time position and is expected to work a standard work week of 40 hours. Some weeks may require additional hours to meet deadlines. The position involves office work and frequent sitting at a desk, using a computer and/or phone for long periods of time. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position.

This position is hybrid (minimum of 40% in the Seattle office) but we will consider an option for being fully remote for those located within Washington State, but outside of mass transit options to our Seattle office. We anticipate this job will involve occasional travel to in-person meetings and staff gatherings at the discretion of the supervisor. Our teams have access to a variety of online tools and systems that support remote work and supervision. Washington Conservation Action is a unionized employer represented by Communication Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.

Covid-19

The organization follows all requirements of local health authorities. We are currently working in hybrid remote mode with most staff coming to the office either two or three days per week. The organization provides equipment and tools for working from home. We maintain strict safety protocols while in our office. All staff who come to the office must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample here.  The brief writing sample should include no more than 500 words and explain a complicated environmental subject to a general audience; the writing sample could be new or from previously written materials. Priority review will be given to applications submitted by March 27, 2023. No phone calls or mailed applications please.

Washington Conservation Action is an equal opportunity employer committed to dismantling structural racism and creating a welcoming work environment. WCA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply.