Job Overview
Position Overview
Reporting to the Senior Manager, U.S. Conservation, and working in a team environment, the principal associate engages with and supports state and federal public policy campaigns that contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. The principal associate will help to develop and implement strategies to advance Pew's U.S. Conservation Program's objectives in the Southeast, including initiatives to protect and restore rivers and wetlands, conserve wildlife corridors, and enhance public lands management. The principal associate accomplishes this by leading or co-leading coalition-oriented conservation initiatives aimed towards state legislatures and governorships as well as state and federal natural resource and transportation agencies. The ideal candidate brings experience advancing public policy initiatives, leading coalitions, and has a proven ability to cultivate relationships and drive change in the Southeast, particularly in Southern Appalachia.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.
Responsibilities
- Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project's related goals.
- Lead or co-lead efforts that advance policies at the state, regional, and federal levels that increase the resilience of nature and people, with a focus on the southern U.S.
- Conduct policy research and provide recommendations for policy and regulatory solutions.
- Cultivate and manage effective relationships with partner organizations, scientists, government representatives, elected officials, Tribal Nations and other relevant stakeholders.
- Represent Pew at meetings and convenings; comfortably discuss complex subject matters with stakeholders, including government officials.
- Plan, organize, and implement stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other events.
- Collaborate with project leadership and with government relations, communications, legal affairs, and other colleagues to coordinate Pew's presence in the region.
- Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.
Qualifications
Requirements
- Experience with leading or assisting with public policy initiatives and working with diverse partners to advance policy objectives.
- Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.
- Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.
- Excellent time and project management skills. Capacity to move projects forward with a high degree of autonomy. Highly flexible, with the capacity to juggle multiple priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details, and identify resources for projects.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Generally, six years of applicable experience.
Key attributes and preferred experience
- Campaign experience (e.g. legislative, ballot initiative, electoral, regulatory reform or similar) in the southern Appalachian region (VA, WV, KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, AL) strongly preferred.
- Experience developing relationships with and providing technical assistance to elected officials and their staff, and/or agency officials and rulemaking authorities.
- Experience developing relationships with and supporting shared goals with traditionally disadvantaged communities.
- Knowledge of conservation finance tools, private land conservation, freshwater conservation, and/or freshwater and terrestrial wildlife connectivity preferred.
- Experience with public speaking preferred.
Work Environment
Located in Pew's Washington, D.C. office, this position will participate in Pew's core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.
Travel
This position requires occasional domestic travel to meetings and conferences.
Benefits
Salary Range
$100,300 USD - $112,100 USD
The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew's commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.
Total Rewards
We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.
About the Organization
The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.