Washington State Federal Government Relations Director

What We Can Achieve Together:

The WA Federal Government Relations Director will help guide The Nature Conservancy’s strategies to build influence, leverage and momentum for environmental progress in Washington State and across the United States. They will guide planning, outreach and communications at all levels of the federal government for policy advocacy or budget appropriations necessary to achieve conservation goals.  The WA Federal Government Relations Director will work with other members of the Policy & Government Relations team as well as Business Unit, divisional and national TNC 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 Federal Government Relations Director plans, implements and coordinates strategies within The Nature Conservancy’s Washington Business Unit to affect federal government policy and budget appropriations. 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 broad, bipartisan approach to build and support effective coalitions among a wide array of interests, and problem-solve to tackle political challenges.

** Please include a cover letter as part of your application. **

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 bipartisan productive relationships and open communications with key federal government officials, including members of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, congressional and agency staff, Tribal leaders, lobbyists, and non-governmental organization partners. 

• Research, analyze, evaluate and prepare recommendations on federal 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 our impact and achieve specific policy goals. 

Collaboration & Strategic Advising (50%) 

• Collaborate 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. 

• Liaise with The Nature Conservancy’s North America Policy and Government Relations team and federal policy colleagues from other states to align and coordinate federal policy and budget advocacy. 

 RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

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

• Manage contractors, including 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. 

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

• Support program objectives by working in a complex matrix organization environment and working collaboratively within cross-functional teams.  

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

• 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