Manager, Conservation Policy at National Audubon Society – Huntington, Vermont
About This Position
Full time
Requisition ID: JR1009
About Audubon:
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Vice President, Audubon Vermont, the Manager, Conservation Policy will be responsible for assisting in the design and implementation of a tri-partisan policy agenda at the state and/or federal levels with a particular near-term focus on habitat conservation, land use, land conservation, community resiliency, and service-learning opportunities. This role will work in collaboration with Audubon Vermont staff and national conservation strategy and policy leadership.
The Manager, Conservation Policy will be a critical team member to help drive successful implementation of laws, policies and funding opportunities that are designed to enhance biodiversity protection, promote resilient communities that can adapt to the impacts of climate change, foster proactive land use and habitat conservation strategies, recover threatened and endangered species, equip landowners with proactive tools and programs to maintain healthy bird and wildlife populations, and promote service-learning opportunities for young adults interested in gaining environmental skills.
The Manager, Conservation Policy will build and maintain working relationships with external partners and stakeholders, including: state and federal legislators, state and federal agencies, and diverse partners to remain informed of policy and legislative developments related to Audubon’s agenda. They will help advance opportunities to leverage Audubon’s best assets – an engaged and growing grassroots membership, a desire to build broad coalitions, coordination with chapters, and an organization-wide commitment to pragmatic science-based solutions – in pursuit of sustainable policy accomplishments in Vermont and with the state’s federal delegation.
This hybrid position is based within the state of Vermont with travel to the Green Mountain Center, State House in Montpelier, VT and other locations around the state, as needed.
Compensation:
$62,000 - $70,000 / year
Essential Functions
Serve as a member of Audubon Vermont’s policy and engagement team, serve as a key advisor on Vermont-based policy initiatives, and conduct legislative tracking.
Oversee aspects of the conservation policy program for Audubon Vermont, including support for strategic planning, short and long-term goal and agenda setting, and policy advocacy.
Guide the day-to-day efforts to successfully track the policy agenda in Vermont, working closely with Audubon staff to align the program with the organization’s strategic priorities.
Ensure successful partner and coalition coordination in the state and support Audubon Vermont’s mobilization of chapter, grassroots, and grass tops support for key policy priorities.
Engage key stakeholders including government officials to advance conservation and service-learning efforts. Lobby Vermont legislators, federal and state administrative branches and agencies, and others to advance conservation and service-learning objectives.
Stay abreast of local, state, and federal legislative and administrative affairs and decisions effecting Audubon’s conservation agenda and its constituents.
Raise the profile and visibility of Audubon Vermont as a leader in conservation policy efforts; build creative and enduring alliances and partnerships to support Audubon’s policy efforts within the state and across the region.
Identify new opportunities for policy and advocacy engagement opportunities and serve as an effective advocate for Audubon’s legislative and regulatory priorities in coordination with Audubon’s conservation and policy leadership.
Collaborate with policy interns and mentor where appropriate.
Collaborate with Audubon’s national policy team on policy issues and develop strong and effective working relationships with staff across the Audubon network.
Work with regional leadership, the state’s program staff and center leadership to identify and integrate policy and advocacy opportunities into their programs and volunteer efforts.
Advocate for Audubon’s policy priorities while building equitable coalitions that are representative of a broad set of communities across Vermont.
Participate in an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust.
Collaborate with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, political science, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, or related field required. Master’s Degree preferred, but not required.
5+ years of relevant experience working in the government, legislative, or non-profit arena.
Keen understanding of current policy trends in Vermont related to climate change, wildlife management, land management, and conservation. Experience applying this knowledge and scientific research to successful policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.
Personal desire to build durable, public-will for conservation issues, work with diverse stakeholders, and engage with Vermont Legislators on Audubon’s policy interests.
Experience working in partnerships and collaborative work environments.
Experience working directly people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcome of the decision-making process.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability synthesize and interpret technical information for various audiences.
Commitment to Audubon’s mission of conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat and the ability to communicate the mission, goals, and programs effectively to partners, decision makers, and the public.
Willingness and ability to travel across the state and elsewhere as needed, some weekends and evenings required.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA)
National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.
Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment.
Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving.
Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation.
Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process.
Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.
Accessibility Statement
The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at