What We Can Achieve Together:

The Washington State Government Relations Director will help guide The Nature Conservancy's strategies to build influence, leverage and momentum for environmental progress in Washington State. They will guide state legislative agenda development and implementation, engage with the state executive branch, and lobby for state policy or budget appropriations necessary to achieve conservation goals. The WA State Government Relations Director will work with other members of the Policy & Government Relations team as well as Business Unit and divisional strategy teams to strengthen strategic external relationships that will enable the Washington Business Unit to have the greatest possible impact to protect the environment and improve the well-being of communities in our region.

We're Looking for You:

The WA State Government Relations Director plans, implements and coordinates strategies within The Nature Conservancy's Washington Business Unit to affect state policy and budgets. They oversee legislative and administrative initiatives and policies related to The Nature Conservancy's mission and programs, including polices to address climate change, clean energy, forest health, wildfire resilience, and healthy communities. They work with a bipartisan approach to build and support effective coalitions among diverse interests, and problem-solve to tackle political challenges. Essential functions include:

Lobbying and Government Relations (50%)

• Advocate for priority policies and public funding for programs and projects that are key to conservation priorities and advance the work of The Nature Conservancy and its partners.

• Build and maintain productive bipartisan relationships and open communications with key state government officials, including statewide elected officials, state legislators, legislative staff, Gubernatorial and agency staff, Tribal leaders and lobbyists.

• In deep coordination with policy staff, support the research, analysis, evaluation and preparation of recommendations on state public policy issues, policy options and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, proposed rulemaking efforts, and changes in agency policies.

• Develop multi-faceted legislative campaigns to increase impact and achieve specific policy goals.

Collaboration & Strategic Advising (30%)

• Support state Business Unit and divisional strategy objectives by working in a complex, matrixed team environment within cross-functional teams.

• Collaborate closely with policy, conservation, forestry, prescribed fire, science, community relations and other staff, to advance conservation priorities and the work of The Nature Conservancy and its partners.

Engage in Coalitions (20%)

• Participate in multiple state policy coalitions, including the Environmental Priorities Coalition, Washington Association of Land Trusts, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, Washington Prescribed Fire Council, and Blue-Green Alliance.

• Communicate with a wide range of people, including business executives, Tribal leaders, community representatives, and elected officials in support of conservation outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

Level of Position: The WA State Government Relations Director is a senior advisor position with broad strategic responsibility and external visibility. Within the scope of this position, they will:

• Assure compliance with all state and federal lobbying laws and regulations, including responsibility for maintaining, reporting and tracking state and federal lobbying activities.

• Manage contract lobbyist(s) and may supervise one or more administrative and/or professional staff, interns or volunteers, with responsibility for performance management, training and development.

• Apply a diversified knowledge of practices to support Conservancy strategies.

• Act independently within broad program goals.

• Participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

Work Environment and Schedule

• The location for this position is flexible within the Puget Sound region (Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle preferred), with a requirement to be onsite in Olympia 5 days per week during legislative session (January - March/April) and available for in person meetings at The Nature Conservancy's Seattle office on a regular basis outside of legislative session (occasionally weekly, more often 1-2 times per month).

• Must be willing to travel (including overnight) throughout Washington State, including frequent travel to Olympia; occasional travel to other U.S. locations.

• Work long and/or flexible hours as needed.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and 5 years of government relations, policy, lobbying, or advocacy experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.

• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an unstructured environment. Experience working with teams across an organization to achieve policy objectives.

• Experience building partnerships and identifying key stakeholders.

• Proven negotiation skills.

• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one prior to starting the position.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to act in accordance with the Washington's commitment to Indigenous Peoples; be respectful of differences of identity and/or beliefs, and successfully work across those differences to meet work objectives.

• Experience lobbying elected officials and implementing legislative campaigns.

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.

• Excellent communication skills including public testimony, presentation, conversation and written.

• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, partners, volunteers, and all levels of staff.

• Familiarity with political conditions, environmental/conservation issues and trends in Washington State.

• Experience presenting to and/or negotiating with government representatives and/or community leaders.

• Supervisory experience.

• Master's or law degree appreciated.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $97,000 - $124,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.