Jobs and Careers

Senior Policy and Planning Specialist (National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program)

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 12 May 2025

💰 $115,000/yr($101,000/yr – $115,000/yr)

About the role

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFEPOSITION DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Senior Policy and Planning Specialist (National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program)SALARY: $101,000 - $115,000FLSA: ExemptDEPARTMENT: Land and Habitat ConservationLOCATION: Denver, CO, Washington DC or Remote REPORTS TO: Director, National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 0LAST REVISED: April 2025 POSITION SUMMARY This professional-level position is responsible for implementing Defenders of Wildlife’s federal lands portfolio and major campaigns to increase wildlife habitat protections and advance imperiled species recovery on the lands and waters of the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System. This position develops and executes multi-faceted strategies to defend and secure new conservation protections, initiatives, policies, regulations and laws for at-risk species by working with agency decision-makers, influencing members of Congress, building coalitions and coordinating relevant environmental community advocacy efforts, and, when necessary, supporting strategic litigation, among other activities. This position collaborates closely with staff throughout the organization including within the Species Conservation & Coexistence Department, Government Relations, Communications, Biodiversity Law Center, and the Center for Conservation Innovation. The specialist will support the implementation of the Refuge System Program and lead, in coordination with the director, the visioning, development, and execution of the new National Park System Program. The position will shape priority initiatives relating to parks, preserves, monuments, and other units of the National Park System, and play a key advocacy role in enhancing the national policies, regulations, and management culture of both the Refuge and Park Systems for the benefit of biodiversity and federally listed species. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Spearheads and coordinates Defenders’ efforts to advocate for policies to protect and restore habitat, to thwart and oppose policies and actions that threaten at-risk species, and to hold federal land management agencies accountable to their conservation obligations, including under the Endangered Species Act, National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, as amended, and the National Park Service Organic Act, among other laws.
Tracks the development and implementation of policies affecting at-risk species and habitat in the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System.
Engages in land management planning processes to sustain and restore biodiversity and develop models to inform land use policy. This will include identifying key opportunities to achieve desired results; providing policy and planning expertise; assisting with developing and maintaining relationships with relevant agency staff and decision-makers; supporting robust partner engagement; ensuring development of a strong administrative record; drafting objections and supporting litigation efforts.
Develops Defenders’ positions and comments on legislative and administrative proposals affecting parks and refuges, and coordinates with Government Relations and other conservation departments on developing new and responding to proposed legislation.
Research relevant topics and produce white papers, memos, reports, blogs, and other products for advocacy purposes. Coordinate with the Communications Department to develop and distribute outward-facing products and with the Center for Conservation Innovation to use technology to develop digital communication projects.
Produces and maintains comment templates and training materials, reflecting current agency policy and practice.
Coordinates closely with Defenders’ science team, identifying research needs and ensuring application of existing data, science, and mapping to priority planning processes.
Coordinates closely with the Biodiversity Law Center attorneys to develop and implement litigation and other legal strategies to advance Defenders’ priorities.
Informs and mobilizes citizen activists, including Defenders’ members and supporters, on critical Refuge System and National Park System issues.
Initiates Defenders’ multi-department, inter-disciplinary teams as needed to fight harmful proposals and promote beneficial policies, pract