DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE POSITION DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Vice President, Lands and Habitat Conservation
CLASSIFICATION: Executive 1
SALARY: $143,000 - $158,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Lands and Habitat Conservation
LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC or Denver, CO
REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs
NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 6
LAST REVISED: January 2024
POSITION SUMMARYThe Vice President for Lands and Habitat Conservation leads Defenders' work to conserve lands and habitats important to protecting and maintaining biodiversity nationally. The Vice President ensures effective on-the-ground implementation of federal and private land and habitat conservation programs described in Defenders' strategic plan, conservation priorities, and conservation campaigns. These programs involve a wide range of policy, legal, advocacy, and scientific strategies to conserve wildlife.
Priority areas include protecting federal public lands and waters important to the conservation of threatened and endangered species; developing and promoting incentives to conserve biodiversity on federal, state, tribal, and private lands and waters; influencing federal, state, and tribal administrative and legislative initiatives impacting wildlife habitat and other natural resources; working on federal, state, and tribal land management issues impacting sensitive wildlife species; maintaining and enhancing the ecological integrity of priority wildlife habitat; and maintaining and enhancing the conservation of biodiversity in general. The Vice President provides leadership and support for outreach efforts, with a priority on implementing Defenders' diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice values.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESWork closely with the President & 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.Provide senior leadership and supervision for Defenders' land and habitat conservation work. Working with the Vice President of Species Conservation and Coexistence, Field Directors, Director of Federal Lands, Director of Private Lands, and conservation program vice presidents, prioritize and develop short- and long-range strategic plan objectives, organizational structure, and department staffing and budget requirements.In consultation with Defenders' leadership and other departments, develop wildlife habitat and land conservation policy positions to achieve Defenders' strategic goals and priorities.Manage 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 Forest System, the Bureau of Land Management's Public Lands, and Department of Defense lands.Work 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.Work with private landowners, land trusts, other nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders to promote sound wildlife conservation on private lands.Direct, coordinate, and/or assist Defenders' advocacy efforts to influence legislation, regulatory processes, agency policies, and land management plans involving issues of land and habitat conservation.Research, write, and/or supervise the development of factsheets, reports, webpages, and other publications as necessary.Represent 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.Work with the Development and Marketing departments to raise funds for the Lands and Habitat Conservation department's programs and other departments' programs as appropriate.Ensure 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.Ensure communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitor 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 to resolve staff disciplinary issues.Perform all other related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONSEducation: Bachelor's degree in relevant field required; advanced degree preferred.
Experience: 15 years; 7 years supervisory; 5 years managing 2+ layers. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All DefendersVisit this link for more information.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Lands and Habitat ConservationExperience with private, federal, and state wildlife, land management, and resource conservation agencies, and knowledge of wildlife and natural resource laws, regulations, and policies. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDSPhysical Activities: Check all that apply.
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like.OMoving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.ORemaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.CMoving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.OCommunicating with others to exchange information.COperating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.OEnvironmental Conditions: Check all that apply.
Low temperatures.NHigh temperatures.NOutdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.NNoisy environments.NNo adverse environmental conditions expected.CPhysical Demands: Check only one.
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.X Visit www.defenders.org to apply.
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.
Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.
Please be advised this position is NON union-eligible.
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