Job Description
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE POSITION DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Vice President, Land and Habitat Conservation
SALARY: $170,000 - $185,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat Conservation
LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC or Denver, CO
REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs
NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 5
LAST REVISED: January 2025
POSITION SUMMARY The Vice President for Land and Habitat Conservation leads Defenders’ national policy work to conserve federal and private lands vital to maintaining and recovering our nation’s biodiversity and our policy and advocacy work addressing the intersection of energy development and siting and protection of biodiversity. The Vice President develops and oversees policy initiatives designed to protect, connect, and restore federal lands critical to imperiled species with an eye to long-term transformation of federal lands systems for biodiversity, and works to ensure that energy development and siting advances rather than harms the conservation of biodiversity. Current work focuses on the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Parks System, National Forest System, and National System of Public Lands. The Vice President also leads Defenders’ work to bolster and accelerate private land conservation through national-level administrative and legislative advocacy. These programs involve a wide range of policy, legal, advocacy communications, and scientific strategies to conserve wildlife.
Priority areas include protecting federal lands and waters important to the conservation of threatened and endangered species; developing and promoting incentives to conserve biodiversity on federal and private lands and waters; influencing federal administrative and legislative initiatives impacting imperiled species and ecosystems and other natural resources; developing and implementing biodiversity-friendly energy solutions, and maintaining and enhancing the ecological integrity of priority wildlife habitat and biodiversity in general. The Vice President works closely with senior leadership to advance organizational vitality and diversity, equity, inclusion and justice values and goals.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Drive development and implementation of conservation programs and initiatives to achieve strategic and programmatic goals and objectives, in coordination with the Conservation Leadership Team.
Provide leadership to ensure resources are focused on high-impact conservation strategies and projects, while also making ongoing recommendations to executive leadership regarding future conservation investments.
Coordinate with other members of the Conservation Leadership Team to effectively deliver conservation outcomes and advise on issues related to federal and private land conservation policy.
Work with the Conservation Leadership Team, Development and Marketing departments and the CEO on fundraising to support and advance Defenders’ conservation priorities and programs.
Manage a high-performing team and provide results-driven leadership by establishing annual work objectives and priorities and evaluating these objectives on an ongoing basis.
Work 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 for Defenders’ land and habitat conservation work. In coordination with other departments, 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, and the National System of Public 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.
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.
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, resolve staff disciplinary issues.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS Education: 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 Defenders Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Land and Habitat Conservation Experience 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 DEMANDS Physical Activities Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like. (O)
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces. (O)
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. (C)
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. (O)
Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions. (N)
Communicating with others to exchange information. (C)
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers. (C)
Operating machinery and/or power tools. (N)
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment. (O)
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned. (C)
Environmental Conditions Low temperatures. (N)
High temperatures. (N)
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind. (N)
Noisy environments. (N)
Hazardous conditions. (N)
Poor ventilation. (N)
Small and/or enclosed spaces. (N)
No adverse environmental conditions expected. (C)
Physical Demands Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing. (X)
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.
Visit 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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