Government Relations Senior Legislative Analyst

Description

• Play a leading role in rapidly analyzing and/or facilitating Defenders’ timely review of the legal, policy and science aspects of legislation relating to the Endangered Species Act and/or other issues.
• In assigned issue areas, develop advocacy materials summarizing legislative reviews, policy analysis and organizational positions including charts, fact sheets, reports, talking points, bill and amendment drafting, testimony and hearing questions.
• Advance Defenders’ legislative/administrative goals for assigned issues through direct lobbying, coalition participation and meetings with federal agency officials
• Employing sound political judgment, build an effective network of congressional, coalition and public support to advance assigned issues
• Utilizing strong legislative judgment, identify and implement effective legislative/administrative strategies and projects to advance assigned issues
• Continually marshal, leverage, and organize inter-departmental and, where possible, external resources on assigned legislative/administrative issues through ongoing campaign planning, project management, team building, and coalition leadership
• Implement, as appropriate, various aspects of issue campaigns through activities including: direct and grassroots lobbying materials development; action alert drafting; testimony and public presentations; media representation; project management, and drafting press materials and legislatively focused Web content
• Closely monitor legislative developments in assigned issues and disseminate timely information about those issues throughout the organization
• Provide timely responses to requests for progress reports, funding proposals, budgets and other information requested by departments including: Government Relations, Communications, Integrated Marketing, and Development
• Contribute to the development of Defenders of Wildlife’s legislative Report Card through activities by identifying potential votes and drafting vote descriptions
• Effectively contribute to Defenders’ positive image on Capitol Hill, with outside organizations, and in the media
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

• Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent in Natural Resources, Public Policy, Law, Biology, Education, or related discipline. Advanced degree in law or natural resources policy strongly preferred. 

• Experience: 8 years of relevant experience conducting legal and/or policy reviews of legislation, preferably as it relates to natural resources, wildlife or endangered species issues. Capitol Hill or other legislative experience, preferably involving natural resource issues. Experience working with wildlife conservation issues and knowledge of federal resource agencies, laws, treaties and policies dealing with use and conservation of natural resources. Political experience, judgment and sensitivity, including a thorough understanding of lobbying, resource and appropriations committees, budget process and federal legislative procedures and grassroots targeting. Experience developing, implementing, and managing legislative and advocacy campaigns preferred.

1. Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
2. Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

1. Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
2. Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
3. Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
4. Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments
5. Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

1. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
2. Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
3. Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
4. Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work
5. Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
6. Strategic thinker with the ability to take high-level strategy and translate into relatable points and action steps.

1. Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
2. Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
3. Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
4. Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
5. Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
6. Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion

1. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.
2. Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate policy issues impacting wildlife and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
3. Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.

1. Expert-level knowledge of Defenders’ legal, scientific, and/or political issues
2. Expert-level knowledge of national and regional social, political, and ecological landscapes

1. Ability to conduct research, analyze information and legislation, and produce quality work products in a consistent, efficient, and timely manner
2. Ability to work effectively as part of Defenders’ legislative and administrative advocacy team
3. Ability to effectively lead and/or represent Defenders’ interests in national issue coalitions
4. Other relevant experience with public policy, education, grassroots organizing, communications, editing, and/or development
5. Demonstrate a willingness and ability to productively engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives
6. Ability to represent Defenders to external entities and the public in a professional manner while exercising tact, diplomacy, and discretion. 
7. Personal interest and commitment to conservation