The Wilderness Society

Job Description

September 2006

Position Title: Wilderness Campaign Associate Director

Location: Durango, Colorado, The Wilderness Society’s

Wilderness Support Center

Classification: Exempt/Grade 6

Reports To: Melyssa Watson, Deputy Director, TWS

Wilderness Support Center

Start Date: Immediately

BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW

The Wilderness Society (TWS) is a national non-profit membership organization that has been devoted to the conservation of wilderness and public lands for more than 70 years. The Wilderness Society’s Wilderness Support Center (WSC) based in Durango, Colorado has been at the heart of this effort; dedicated to reinvigorating the wilderness movement and helping people protect wild places across the country since 1999.

WSC works with grassroots groups to develop and implement strategic campaigns to achieve the Wilderness Society’s goal of protecting wilderness quality public lands as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. WSC also seeks to grow and galvanize the Wilderness Movement by working to connect, inform and provide networking opportunities to wilderness advocates and organizations across state and regional boundaries.

TWS is seeking a highly creative and skilled individual to join the core staff at the Wilderness Support Center and lead selected wilderness campaigns in priority states and also assist in developing other emerging campaigns throughout the country. This person will serve as a key member of a dynamic, creative, and skilled team of TWS staff, as well as coalition partners, working to designate wilderness and continue to build the wilderness movement.

PRIORITY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Develop and implement grassroots, legislative and media strategies and tactics for The Wilderness Society that support strong grassroots wilderness coalitions and which advance wilderness designation in priority states.

· Provide on-the-ground assistance to priority campaigns including grassroots organizing, coalition building, campaign planning and implementation, communications, working with decision makers and key agency personnel, and reaching out to new allies;

· Provide strategic campaign planning help;

· Facilitate and help build wilderness coalitions in key states;

· Ability and willingness to work in partnerships with a range of stakeholders such as ranchers, Chambers of Commerce, local elected officials, Latino and Native American communities, among others.

· Train grassroots groups and volunteers in key campaign elements including organizing, communications and how to lobby;

· Provide help with campaign materials, grant writing and fundraising, etc for key partner groups;

· Work with grassroots partners and other TWS staff to generate positive articles, editorials and other forms of earned media that support wilderness protection efforts in key states;

· Act as liaison to key Congressional offices in DC and elsewhere on priority wilderness campaigns;

· Work closely with WSC and other departments within The Wilderness Society to ensure that the organization’s resources are effectively and strategically deployed to support wilderness designation in priority states;

· In coordination with WSC team, assist with various Wilderness movement building projects such as the Wilderness Mentoring Conference, Wilderness Fellowship Program, and other training and education opportunities.

· Take on other special projects as needed.

· A significant amount of travel is required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge & Skills:

· Bachelor’s degree, or its demonstrated equivalent, required. Relevant graduate work will be highly regarded.

· At least four years experience working on grassroots campaigns, preferably in the wilderness or conservation movement.

· Ability and willingness to work in partnerships with a range of stakeholders such as ranchers, Chambers of Commerce, local elected officials, Latino and Native American communities, among others.

· Strong knowledge of the wilderness and public land issues and conservation policy

· Experience working with elected officials and a solid understanding of the legislative process

· A personal commitment to protect wilderness.

· Excellent negotiation skills.

· Experience working successfully with the media to place stories, op-eds, Letters to the Editor, and editorials, is preferred.

· Proven public speaking skills as well as excellent writing and editing skills.

· Ability and willingness to travel on a regular basis (one week a month or more) as well as willingness to work nights and weekends when needed.

· Proficient computer skills; knowledge and experience with word processing (MS Word), database and communications software.

Interpersonal:

The ideal candidate would have one or more of the following leadership characteristics:

· Ability and creativity to work independently and take initiative.

· Ability to lead, inspire, and work collaboratively with a team of outstanding people.

· A solid professional presence combined with proven campaign management ability.

· Superb organizational and communications skills combined with the ability to prioritize conflicting demands.

· Ability to work as part of a team in a fun and collegial but occasionally stressful atmosphere.

· Skills to work effectively and diplomatically with many different interests and personalities.

· A personal interest in wilderness and love of the land is a big plus.

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TWS offers a very competitive salary and benefits package, including health and dental insurance and a pension plan. The Wilderness Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and diversity is a core value.

Please submit résumé and cover letter to: WSC Campaign Position c/o Melissa Giacchino

TWS Wilderness Support Center

PO Box 1620

Durango CO 81302

Email: melissa_giacchino@tws.org

Fax: 970-247-9020

No phone calls please