Job Announcement - Teaming with Wildlife Program Associate
 

Position Title:           Teaming with Wildlife Program Associate
Location:                    Washington, DC

About the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies:   Founded in 1902, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is the official representative of the state, territorial and provincial fish and wildlife agencies of North America.  The Association supports the leadership of state fish and wildlife agencies by advocating for fish and wildlife conservation and promoting cooperation among fish and wildlife agencies.  The Association’s membership includes every state and territorial fish and wildlife agency, along with the Canadian provincial agencies, the Mexican state agencies, and several federal agencies with wildlife management responsibility.  The Association’s staff is made up of more than 20 biologists, scientists and policy specialists with expertise on topics from migratory birds to fish habitat to agency management.  For more information, see the Association’s web site at http://www.fishwildlife.org  and the Teaming with Wildlife web site http://www.teaming.com.

Duties and Responsibilities:  The Teaming with Wildlife Program Associate supports state fish and wildlife agencies in outreach and implementation initiatives for state wildlife action plans and other wildlife diversity conservation initiatives.  Responsibilities include developing and carrying out outreach activities, working with diverse partners to build support for the state wildlife action plans, assisting with management of the State Wildlife Grants Program, and promoting concrete collaborative opportunities, including federal agency engagement.  In addition, the Program Associate will provide assistance to the Teaming with Wildlife Director in legislative outreach and advocacy activities necessary to secure funding for state wildlife action plans.

The Program Associate reports to the Teaming with Wildlife Director and works closely with other Association staff to integrate state wildlife action plans into all areas of the Association’s work.

Specific Duties Include: 

1. Coordinate the Association’s outreach efforts to build support for state wildlife action plans and other state wildlife conservation programs, including presentations, briefings, development of written materials, and other activities. 

2. Manage completion of a national publication on wildlife action plan issues and partnership opportunities, including preparation of final statement and integration of recommendations into Association outreach activities. 

3. Work with federal agencies, associations, and non-governmental conservation groups at the national level to identify and promote opportunities for state fish and wildlife agencies to collaborate with partners on wildlife action plan implementation. 

4. Respond to requests for information and actively establish and maintain contacts with agencies and non-governmental organizations to promote collaboration with state fish and wildlife agencies and facilitate information exchange on conservation activities. 

5. Develop formal letters, memoranda, and other statements of support and integration among state wildlife agencies and partner agencies/organizations. 

6. Plan and manage events and meetings, such as briefings, workshops, and other events designed to raise awareness and develop collaborative initiatives to implement state wildlife action plans. 

7. Provide direct support for state fish and wildlife agency personnel on issues related to action plan implementation, including organizing meetings and conference calls to facilitate information exchange and participating in initiatives by regional fish and wildlife agency associations. 

8. Working with state fish and wildlife agencies and partners, organize a national conference on wildlife action plan implementation. 

9. Work with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and state fish and wildlife agencies to support effective implementation of the State Wildlife Grants program and other funding sources for state wildlife action plans. 

10. Work closely with other Association staff and Association committees to support integration of wildlife action plans with other agency programs and priorities. 

11. Manage the Association’s activities to provide support to state agencies with regard to implementation of state wildlife action plans, including outreach to partner agencies and organizations at the national level. 

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:  Masters degree in natural resources, planning, public policy, or a closely related field and two (2) or more years relevant experience.  Experience with wildlife conservation issues strongly preferred.  Experience in a state fish and wildlife agency a plus.  

Other combinations of education and work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Demonstrated Skills and Abilities:  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to: work well independently and as an effective team member; motivate others to take action; communicate effectively in writing and orally; work with diverse agencies and organizations to promote opportunities for collaborative conservation; and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

Candidates must be willing to travel. 

Salary:  Negotiable commensurate with experience. 

Benefits package includes:  Medical insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, worker’s compensation, pension plan, annual and sick leave, paid holidays. 

Selection Process:  Qualified candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest, including salary needs to: 

Mark Humpert
Teaming With Wildlife Director
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 725
Washington, DC  20001

Or by email to:      arnelson@fishwildlife.org 

Deadline for application:  August 8, 2008.

Candidates selected for an interview will be notified of the time and place of the interview and are expected to pay their own travel costs for the interview.

Anticipated starting date:  September 8, 2008.