Principal Associate, U.S. Conservation (Southern Appalachian Region)

The Environment Portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts 

For more than 30 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment. Pew’s global environmental program focuses on science-based, nonpartisan, and sustainable solutions to help protect the planet and people. We work in partnership with governments, Indigenous rights holders, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, local stakeholders, scientists, and other researchers to advance public policy so that nature and communities can thrive. 

Since 1990, Pew has worked in North America, South America and Australia to protect large and critically important terrestrial ecosystems, including rivers and other freshwater resources, coastal temperate rainforests, interior mountain ranges, the northern boreal forests, Australia’s Outback, and Chilean Patagonia. We work to ensure these natural systems remain bountiful, functioning, and resilient, providing essential ecological services such as clean air and clean water, sustenance and food security for local communities and more broadly for the welfare of current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, sociology, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity.   

In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew’s ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating large scale marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems. We also work to address systemic threats to the ocean, including from plastics, over-and-illegal fishing, seabed mining, and climate change. 

U.S. Conservation

The U.S. Conservation project aims to address the accelerating impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change in the United States, by securing and implementing federal and state policies that enhance resilience for nature and people and mitigate climate change. The project focuses on four core science-based approaches: protecting terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity; improving terrestrial and aquatic connectivity; securing new adaptation plans for people and nature that address climate threats; and advancing nature-based solutions that mitigate the release of greenhouse gas emissions.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Manager, U.S. Conservation, and working in a team environment, the principal associate engages with and supports state and federal public policy campaigns that contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. The principal associate will help to develop and implement strategies to advance Pew’s U.S. Conservation Program’s objectives in the Southeast, including initiatives to protect and restore rivers and wetlands, conserve wildlife corridors, and enhance public lands management. The principal associate accomplishes this by leading or co-leading coalition-oriented conservation initiatives aimed towards state legislatures and governorships as well as state and federal natural resource and transportation agencies. The ideal candidate brings experience advancing public policy initiatives, leading coalitions, and has a proven ability to cultivate relationships and drive change in the Southeast, particularly in Southern Appalachia.

Located in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, this position will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week. 

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship. 

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.
• Lead or co-lead efforts that advance policies at the state, regional, and federal levels that increase the resilience of nature and people, with a focus on the southern U.S.
• Conduct policy research and provide recommendations for policy and regulatory solutions.
• Cultivate and manage effective relationships with partner organizations, scientists, government representatives, elected officials, Tribal Nations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent Pew at meetings and convenings; comfortably discuss complex subject matters with stakeholders, including government officials.
• Plan, organize, and implement stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other events.

• Collaborate with project leadership and with government relations, communications, legal affairs, and other colleagues to coordinate Pew’s presence in the region.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Experience with leading or assisting with public policy initiatives and working with diverse partners to advance policy objectives.
• Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.
• Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.
• Excellent time and project management skills. Capacity to move projects forward with a high degree of autonomy. Highly flexible, with the capacity to juggle multiple priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details, and identify resources for projects.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Generally, six years of applicable experience.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Campaign experience (e.g. legislative, ballot initiative, electoral, regulatory reform or similar) in the southern Appalachian region (VA, WV, KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, AL) strongly preferred.
• Experience developing relationships with and providing technical assistance to elected officials and their staff, and/or agency officials and rulemaking authorities.
• Experience developing relationships with and supporting shared goals with traditionally disadvantaged communities.
• Knowledge of conservation finance tools, private land conservation, freshwater conservation, and/or freshwater and terrestrial wildlife connectivity preferred.
• Experience with public speaking preferred.

Travel

This position requires occasional domestic travel to meetings and conferences.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.