Defenders of Wildlife
Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist
Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist
SALARY: $101,000 - $115,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat Conservation
LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC; Denver, CO or Remote
REPORTS TO: Director, Energy and Biodiversity Program
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 1
LAST REVISED: April 2025
POSITION SUMMARY This professional-level position is responsible for helping to develop and implement strategies to ensure that energy projects of all types are developed and sited in ways to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts to imperiled wildlife and habitats. The Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist is responsible for advancing Defenders’ conservation mission, strategic plan, and conservation priorities. This position collaborates closely with other departments including Government Relations, Biodiversity Law Center, Center for Conservation Innovation, Species Conservation and Coexistence, and Communications.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with the Energy and Biodiversity team and other staff to develop goals and objectives for advancing Defenders’ energy and biodiversity work.
Collaborate with policy experts, attorneys, scientists, lobbyists, communications specialists, and field advocates to oppose efforts to weaken federal environmental statutes related to fossil fuel development on federal lands and waters.
Develop positions on legislative and administrative proposals concerning energy project siting and development.
Facilitate internal coordination of energy initiatives and interdisciplinary approaches to achieve goals.
Represent wildlife interests in private sector efforts on energy siting issues.
Serve as Defenders’ representative on national energy and biodiversity issues with government officials, agencies, and in public forums.
Research, write, and supervise the development of policy papers, memos, blogs, reports, websites, action alerts, and other advocacy products, coordinating with departments as needed.
Some travel is required for this position.
Perform all other work-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS Education:
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
6 years relevant experience; 3 years supervisory experience preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities
Specific for Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist
Strategic Thinking:
Formulates effective strategies aligned with organizational goals, examines policy issues with a long-term perspective, sets objectives, and anticipates threats or opportunities.
Partnering:
Builds networks and alliances across boundaries to achieve common goals.
Change Management:
Applies principles and strategies for effective change planning and implementation.
Problem Solving:
Identifies issues, evaluates information, and makes sound recommendations.
Ecology:
Understands principles of organism-environment relationships, including competition, predation, evolution, and human impacts.
Legal and Government:
Knowledge of laws, regulations, legal practices, and government processes.
Public Planning:
Knowledge of community and natural resource planning, environmental impact analysis, land use, and zoning.
Leveraging Representation:
Fosters an inclusive workplace leveraging individual differences.
Communication:
Effective oral and written communication skills, able to present clearly and listen effectively.
Physical Activities, Environmental Conditions, and Demands Physical Activities:
Check all that apply. Frequency: N=Never, O=Occasionally, C=Constantly.
Ascending/descending ladders, stairs, etc.: N
Moving in various environments: N
Standing/sitting for prolonged periods: C
Moving between worksites: N
Adjusting/moving objects up to 10 lbs.: O
Communicating: C
Repeating motions: C
Operating machinery/power tools: C
Operating motor vehicles/heavy equipment: N
Assessing work: N
Environmental Conditions:
Check all that apply. Frequency: N=Never, O=Occasionally, C=Constantly.
Low temperatures: N
High temperatures: N
Outdoor elements: N
Noisy environments: N
Hazardous conditions: N
Poor ventilation: N
Small/enclosed spaces: N
No adverse conditions: C
Physical Demands:
Select one.
Sedentary work:
Light work (up to 20 lbs.): X
Medium work (up to 50 lbs.):
Heavy work (up to 100 lbs. or more):
Visit
www.defenders.org
to apply.
All employees must perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities. Defenders of Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. This position is non-union eligible.
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SALARY: $101,000 - $115,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat Conservation
LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC; Denver, CO or Remote
REPORTS TO: Director, Energy and Biodiversity Program
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 1
LAST REVISED: April 2025
POSITION SUMMARY This professional-level position is responsible for helping to develop and implement strategies to ensure that energy projects of all types are developed and sited in ways to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts to imperiled wildlife and habitats. The Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist is responsible for advancing Defenders’ conservation mission, strategic plan, and conservation priorities. This position collaborates closely with other departments including Government Relations, Biodiversity Law Center, Center for Conservation Innovation, Species Conservation and Coexistence, and Communications.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with the Energy and Biodiversity team and other staff to develop goals and objectives for advancing Defenders’ energy and biodiversity work.
Collaborate with policy experts, attorneys, scientists, lobbyists, communications specialists, and field advocates to oppose efforts to weaken federal environmental statutes related to fossil fuel development on federal lands and waters.
Develop positions on legislative and administrative proposals concerning energy project siting and development.
Facilitate internal coordination of energy initiatives and interdisciplinary approaches to achieve goals.
Represent wildlife interests in private sector efforts on energy siting issues.
Serve as Defenders’ representative on national energy and biodiversity issues with government officials, agencies, and in public forums.
Research, write, and supervise the development of policy papers, memos, blogs, reports, websites, action alerts, and other advocacy products, coordinating with departments as needed.
Some travel is required for this position.
Perform all other work-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS Education:
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
6 years relevant experience; 3 years supervisory experience preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities
Specific for Senior Energy and Biodiversity Policy Specialist
Strategic Thinking:
Formulates effective strategies aligned with organizational goals, examines policy issues with a long-term perspective, sets objectives, and anticipates threats or opportunities.
Partnering:
Builds networks and alliances across boundaries to achieve common goals.
Change Management:
Applies principles and strategies for effective change planning and implementation.
Problem Solving:
Identifies issues, evaluates information, and makes sound recommendations.
Ecology:
Understands principles of organism-environment relationships, including competition, predation, evolution, and human impacts.
Legal and Government:
Knowledge of laws, regulations, legal practices, and government processes.
Public Planning:
Knowledge of community and natural resource planning, environmental impact analysis, land use, and zoning.
Leveraging Representation:
Fosters an inclusive workplace leveraging individual differences.
Communication:
Effective oral and written communication skills, able to present clearly and listen effectively.
Physical Activities, Environmental Conditions, and Demands Physical Activities:
Check all that apply. Frequency: N=Never, O=Occasionally, C=Constantly.
Ascending/descending ladders, stairs, etc.: N
Moving in various environments: N
Standing/sitting for prolonged periods: C
Moving between worksites: N
Adjusting/moving objects up to 10 lbs.: O
Communicating: C
Repeating motions: C
Operating machinery/power tools: C
Operating motor vehicles/heavy equipment: N
Assessing work: N
Environmental Conditions:
Check all that apply. Frequency: N=Never, O=Occasionally, C=Constantly.
Low temperatures: N
High temperatures: N
Outdoor elements: N
Noisy environments: N
Hazardous conditions: N
Poor ventilation: N
Small/enclosed spaces: N
No adverse conditions: C
Physical Demands:
Select one.
Sedentary work:
Light work (up to 20 lbs.): X
Medium work (up to 50 lbs.):
Heavy work (up to 100 lbs. or more):
Visit
www.defenders.org
to apply.
All employees must perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities. Defenders of Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. This position is non-union eligible.
#J-18808-Ljbffr