Senior Policy Associate for Wildfire Resilience

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Senior Policy Associate for Wildfire Resilience Senior supports The Nature Conservancy’s wildfire resilience policy and investment goals in the United States. They support The Nature Conservancy’s conservation goals through work within the North America Policy & Government Relations’ Lands team in The Nature Conservancy’s External Affairs department. The position will also coordinate and collaborate with TNC’s government relations and conservation teams across the U.S., State Business Units and Strategic Programs, and external partners. The focus of this position is on federal policies and funding, and where state policy has direct implications, related to wildfire resilience in fire adapted ecosystems, including landscape scale resilience and in promoting fire-adapted communities. Furthermore, the position will understand the interconnection between wildfire, forest health, watershed management, and the associated impacts on people and communities, including Indigenous People. This position reports to Senior Policy Advisor for Forest Restoration and Fire and will play a key role to influence federal policy and further The Nature Conservancy’s mission.  

This is a two-year, term-limited position.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Senior Policy Associate for Wildfire Resilience plans, implements and coordinates programs at the sub-national or departmental level to affect public and/or corporate policy to further the Conservancy’s mission and in partnership with an interdisciplinary team. They provide research and policy analysis in support of The Nature Conservancy’s wildfire resilience policy priorities in the U.S. and tracks policies and decisions that directly affect organizational conservation goals. They provide services that assist in influencing the outcome of policy and/or corporate initiatives at U.S., regional, and local levels. They may serve as a point of contact to inform internal and external partners in support of TNC legislative priorities, planning and carrying out special events, writing and editing general correspondence, policy summaries and memorandums; and in support of TNC’s policy and positions. They build and facilitate internal and external networks, coordinating meetings, agendas, and presentations, proposal summaries, among other deliverables, which may include organizing, maintaining, and tracking files, databases, or other support tasks. They develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and industry to advance the organization’s conservation agenda. They support senior staff in preparing for meetings, events, and conferences, helping to create materials and other preparation activities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• May supervise administrative staff and/or volunteers, interns, or temporary staff.
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
• Maintains regular contact with local, sub-national, country and multilateral officials, and/or corporate representatives on matters pertaining to administrative, legislative, and/or corporate actions and internationally negotiated agreements.
• Develops strategic partnerships with relevant groups to influence legislation and/or, international negotiations and agreements.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Serves as a team leader for assigned projects and coordinate the work of others.
• Ensures that the program complies with country lobbying laws and regulations.
• May need to gain cooperation from individuals or groups (inside and outside the Conservancy) over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals.