Job Description

Location: Remote in Southern California

Full job posting can be found on https://www.nativeamericanland.org/employment 

About the Native American Land Conservancy

As one of the first tribal land conservancies in California, the Native American Land Conservancy (NALC, the “Conservancy”) plays an important statewide and regional role as a model for tribal land management for healthy lands and peoples. The mission of the Conservancy is to acquire, preserve, and protect Native American sacred lands through protective land management, educational programs, and scientific study. This is an exciting time for the Conservancy, as it seeks to expand its educational programming and land stewardship and acquisition initiatives. To strengthen NALC’s existing significant role in tribal and natural resource policy, the Conservancy seeks a passionate, culturally respectful, and approachable Policy Manager who possesses a nuanced understanding of tribal and natural resource issues and the ability to advocate for tribal stewardship.

The Policy Manager must be committed to the Conservancy’s values of tribal sovereignty, protecting sacred sites, and environmental stewardship, and must also recognize and value the unique role that tribes play in stewarding and managing natural resources to protect against climate change and environmental degradation.

Position Summary

The Policy Manager is the primary person working with external non-governmental organization (NGO) partners. The incumbent will attend and represent the Conservancy in regular coalition meetings with conservation organizations and other partners. They will also engage as needed in oral or written advocacy. They will research and develop internal and public policy positions on issues and projects. Tribal engagement is important, and the incumbent will interact with tribal environmental protection agencies, tribal historic preservation offices, and other appropriate entities to learn tribal stances on issues and projects, bring tribal perspectives to conservation partners and their efforts, support efforts of tribes on conservation issues, and to connect tribes with conservation groups and projects. Maintaining confidentiality is crucial for this role, as is sensitivity and patience.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

The Policy Manager for the Conservancy will perform the following tasks, based on experience:

• Establish and/or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of local communities, tribes, governments, public interest groups, tribal EPAs, THPO offices, and other entities
• Represent the Conservancy in interactions with coalition partners and build new partnerships
• Represent the Conservancy with the public and at community events
• Craft and deliver oral and written comments to legislators, governmental agencies, and other decision-makers on tribal stewardship and conservation issues
• Research and prepare briefs, reports or memos on conservation and tribal stewardship issues
• Present on conservation issues at meetings of the Board of Directors
• Work with marketing to create content for social and other media
• Coordinate the implementation and application of scientific studies within the Conservancy
• An entrepreneurial approach in supporting the growth of the Conservancy.
• Visit Conservancy holdings on conservation visits as needed
• Assist with conservation related items for the Conservancy’s holdings
• Assist with tribal outreach and engagement
• Assist with coordination of site monitors for Conservancy preserves as needed
• Assist with programs as needed

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

Qualifications

Long-term employment is contingent upon successful completion of a 90-day probationary period.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy, Tribal Affairs, Public Policy, or related field desired
• Experience working within tribal communities or in the conservation space can be substituted for educational experience

Required Technical / Other Skills and Abilities

A successful candidate must be collaborative, independent, highly motivated, and self-disciplined. Desired skills include:

• Excellent written, presentation, and oral communication skills, delivered in a manner appropriate to the audience
• Proven leadership ability
• Strong public relations skills
• Respect for tribes, sensitivity to cultural differences, and ability to communicate across cultural lines with kindness and patience
• Positive attitude and collegial interpersonal skills
• Innovative thinker with problem solving skills and ability to self-motivate
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Computer literacy and familiarity with Google Suite platform and social media
• Understanding of tribal land management and traditional ecological knowledge
• The ability and willingness to travel locally and throughout the state
• The ability and willingness to work remotely and independently
• Ability to establish priorities, organize, schedule, and complete tasks independently
• Strong commitment to Conservancy’s values and objectives
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable and safe source of transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with Native American communities and programs
• Qualified Native American applicants strongly encouraged to apply

Workload

Remote. Full-time, exempt position. Occasional weekend or evening work as well as travel may be required. Candidates geographically located in Southern California are ideal, as incumbent may be required to travel to the Joshua Tree region for events and meetings at least once a month.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience and starts at $64,000. Benefits package includes 3 weeks of paid time off, 2 weeks of sick leave, generous employer matching program for retirement, and health, dental, and vision insurance with low employee contribution.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references (candidates will be notified in advance of any outreach to your references) to [email protected]. Use the subject line: NALC – Policy Manager. Submit files in one combined PDF.
• Priority will be given to applications submitted on or before 5:00 PM PT on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Resume review will begin immediately.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: conservation, policy, and tribal. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

Apply for this Job