Alaska State Director

The Wilderness Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting America’s wild places since 1935. Our mission is to unite people to protect America’s wild places. Through science, advocacy and partnerships with communities and policymakers, we champion the protection of wilderness, national parks, forests, and other public lands that provide clean air and water, wildlife habitat and the freedom to connect with nature.

Position Overview

The Alaska State Director will play a leading role in advancing our mission of uniting people to protect America’s wild places and our vision to create a future where people and wild nature flourish together, meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing planet. The Director plays a lead role in developing and overseeing implementation of TWS’ projects and initiatives within the state, striving to position TWS as a trusted collaborator with partners and decision makers including early and effective engagement with partners. This position will also cultivate existing relationships and further build a network to educate and influence decision-makers, media outlets, and opinion leaders on TWS’ work and priorities in the state.

This position plays a critical role in fostering an organizational culture where people feel respected, included, and accountable to shared goals and outcomes. TWS has made it a priority to ensure that our public lands work reflects fairness, representation, and accessibility. This leader will carry those commitments into our Alaska work—expanding partnerships, strengthening community connections, and ensuring our work is responsive to a broad range of perspectives and needs. Across our team, we aspire to be campaign-oriented, collaborative, innovative, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of experience working on or leading issue advocacy or political campaigns and/or working to advance public policy changes at the local, state or federal level.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining strong collaborations, relationships and networks among diverse stakeholders.
• Proven cultural competency and experience working with Alaskan Native people and communities and a solid understanding of Alaskan Native culture, traditions, tribal governments, and issues.
• Experience leading and managing teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives. This includes a track record of successful recruitment, cultivation, and retention of highly skilled staff.
• Strong knowledge of public lands, environmental, and/or conservation issues in Alaska.
• Substantial project management experience and competency in cross-organizational collaboration.
• Proven experience as an effective leader, capable of meaningful engagement with Alaskan Native leaders and communities and a wide range of diverse interests, including but not limited to elected officials, agency staff, lawyers, scientists, members of industry (e.g., timber, mining, etc.), user groups (e.g., recreationalists, sportsmen, etc.) and grassroots activists.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that can be applied to complex conservation issues, partnerships, and coalitions.
• Strong strategic thinking skills and demonstrated ability to craft a compelling vision, set goals and priorities, and adapt as circumstances change.
• Good time management skills, with the ability to aptly balance short- and long-term demands and meet deadlines with consistently high-quality work.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak effectively in public with donors, partners, elected officials, and the media.
• Must exhibit integrity, trustworthiness, transparency, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to travel largely within Alaska but also to Washington, D.C., and other locations as necessary.

This position description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of experience, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

The preferred location for this position is Anchorage, AK. Other locations in Alaska may be considered. The salary range for this position is $120,000-$130,000.

Tagged as: Conservation, Law/Policy