Nature Conservancy State Government Relations Director

The Nature Conservancy

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: State Government Relations Director

JOB TITLE: Senior Policy Representative

JOB FAMILY: External Affairs/Government Relations

JOB NUMBER: 750003

SALARY GRADE: 7

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SUPERVISOR: State Director

LOCATION: Portland, Oregon, or Salem, Oregon

The State Government Relations Director is a member of the Oregon Government Relations Team. With the guidance and oversight of the State Director, this position has the primary responsibility for developing and implementing state government relations strategies and actions to achieve The Nature Conservancy’s conservation goals. This position works closely with the State Director and the Conservation Programs Director to define the Conservancy’s state government relations priorities. S/he works with the State Director, the Conservation Program Director, Conservation Program staff, and other members of the Government Relations staff at the state, regional and national levels to develop and implement strategies to advance priority conservation issues, programs and projects.

Responsibilities include:

Developing and advancing policies and programs that support The Nature Conservancy’s mission; Advocating and lobbying for funding for priority policies, programs and projects, including elements of state agency budgets that are key to conservation priorities and advance the work of The Nature Conservancy and its partners; Building and maintaining productive relationships and open communications with Oregon’s Legislative Assembly and staff, the Governor and his/her natural resources staff, the leadership of the state’s natural resources agencies, and other state and local public

officials; Researching, analyzing, evaluating and preparing recommendations on public policy issues, policy options and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, proposed rulemaking efforts, and changes in state agency policies; Assuring compliance with all state and federal lobbying laws and regulations, including maintaining, reporting and tracking all chapter state lobbying activities;

Representing The Nature Conservancy’s government relations program with coalitions and stakeholder groups; Engaging and supporting the Board of Trustees’ Government Relations Committee.

The State Government Relations Director may also be the public policy and government relations lead on specific public policy issues. This position may also lead or participate in ballot initiative campaigns for public conservation funding and/or specific conservation policy issues.

This position is may also be required to:

Organize and schedule meetings and trips for members of the Legislature and their staffs, Board of Trustees and other influentials. Maintain charitable check-off contribution records and The Nature Conservancy’s eligibility to participate in this program. Manage and coordinate the work of volunteers and student interns, including defining program needs for volunteer projects, recruiting and selecting volunteers, and providing general oversight of volunteer efforts. Create and maintain a volunteer action network of individuals ready and willing to influence elected officials on the behalf of The Nature Conservancy and conservation priorities. Represent The Nature Conservancy’s government relations program to the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT).

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

Preference may be given to applicants with a Master’s degree in political science, public policy, natural resources management or a related field, or a law degree with a specialty in natural resources law, plus 5 to 8 years related experience or equivalent combination. Experience and familiarity with social, economic and political conditions and issues in the state. Demonstrated political savvy and know-how.

Experience with the legislative and state budget process in Oregon.

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

modify processes in response to changing circumstances. deadlines, and manage a timeline. Supervisor to develop plans for resolution of unusual or complex problems.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

act independently on assigned tasks. others or the program as a whole.

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RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:

Team over whom there is no direct supervisory authority.

Consultation with supervisor.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse audiences.

Writes and edits promotional and informational materials.

– government officials, board of trustees, community leaders, partner organizations, program leadership, volunteers, the public and other staff.

Consistently demonstrate professional, positive, and approachable attitude/demeanor and discretion.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.

Work does require overnight travel

HOW TO APPLY:

Visit www.nature.org/careers and apply to job # 39305. Complete entire application form, and then attach your resume and cover letter as a single document. You must click “Save and Submit” to apply for the position. Click “Save” if you want to be able to return to your application and submit it later. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. All applications must be submitted in the system by

11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2011. Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer