The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is a global community of conservation professionals with over 4,000 members (resource manager,s educators, government and private conservation workers, informed members of the public, and students) dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving Earth's Biological diversity. More information about SCB can be found at: www.conbio.org

SCB seeks a North American Policy Director (PD) to play two critical roles: (1) to advance the policy work of the North America Section in bringing conservation science to bear on the section's property policy initiatives, by means of outreach to agency and legislative staff, the scientific community, and the general public; and (2) to empower SCB's members by providing them with the information and skills necessary to influence the policy process themselves.

The full job description can be downloaded from: http://bit.ly/1dSOhXh

More information on the North America Section Policy Priorities here: http://www.conbio.org/images/content_about_scb/NAPS_Program_Description.pdf

The North American Policy Director is responsible for coordinating al of SCB's policy activities in the U.S. and Canada, is expected to maintain an office in the Executive Office of SCB in Washington, D.C. This position require experience in communications, building professional relationships with legislative and executive branches in Washington D.C., as well as administrative agencies working in conservation policy and management, and working with Canadian conservation scientists.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the North American Section of SCB by prioritizing pending policy issues that warrant scientific involvement. The North American Policy Director will work with SCB leadership to crag and implement official responses to such issues.
Work with SCB leadership and members to develop proactive policy initiatives that emerge from conservation science, such as commenting on federal rule making, providing expert witness testimony, briefing legislators and staffs, and creating background documents for use by policy-makers.
Explore and enhance opportunities for collaborative activities with other scientific societies and nongovernmental organizations.
Design and implement mechanisms to keep SCB members apprised of North American conservation policy issues, and enable the membership to engage in policy through training opportunities and web-based policy tools.
Communicate regularly with SCB members and provide training opportunities at conferences and on-site in Washington D.C.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree or law degree in conservation law, public policy, environmental policy, or closely related field. Five to seven years of experience working in environmental policy, law, advocacy, or communications.
Demonstrated ability to complete high-quality, original written work product on issues relating to environmental policy.
Experience in fund-raising.
Working knowledge of conservation science and ability to communicate with conservation researchers on policy implications.
Successful track record conceiving and implementing policy activities, building partnerships among NGO's, professional societies, and working directly with federal/state lawmakers.
Excellent written communication, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking.
Working Conditions/Physical Effort - Work require only minor physical exertion and /or strain; ability to work under stress during workload periods; occasional travel.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary commensurate with expertise and experience
Benefits include health/dental/vision, vacation and sick leave
SCB is a 501(c) 3 non-profit entity and participates in a 401k retirement plan.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Applicants should send cover letter and resume via email to : Search Committee, Society for Conservation Biology, lkrizel@conbio.org. Applications should be received by February 28, 2014.

Please indicate salary expectations in your core letter.

Please use "SCB North America Policy Director Application" as the subject line of all emails retailed to this employment opportunity. Applicants who successfully advance to the first round of interview will be asked for two references and a writing sample. No phone calls, principals only.