Senior Director, Policy

ABOUT US

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Policy is responsible for the following areas: 1) leading efforts to develop, promote, and publicly represent American Forests’ official positions on a range of climate-smart forestry policy issues, as well as supporting our forest restoration and urban forest policy issues; 2) leading advocacy activities to engage the public, including donors, and communicate the organization’s positions to federal, state, and local policymakers; and 3) building and maintaining relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, conservation, and other forest stakeholders.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Together with Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer (CPPO), serve as the organization’s spokesperson on matters of climate & forests and natural climate solutions policy and related issues; lead preparation of remarks and talking points to support public presentations by senior American Forests leaders. Lead the drafting of platforms, position papers and policy statements that further American Forests’ mission, based on the best available science and input from the CEO and board of directors where appropriate.
• Work with relevant coalitions and others to promote public policy initiatives that further American Forests’ positions.
• Work with the relevant program staff in coordination with cross-departmental efforts.
• Work with the CPPO, communications department, and others to develop strategies to promote and further the positions of American Forests. Keep the CPPO abreast of emerging trends and issues that may have an impact on American Forests.
• Prepare written commentary on forest climate policy issues and present American Forests’ information/perspectives at national conferences and meetings to become recognized as a conservation thought leader.

• Lead activities to develop and communicate American Forests’ positions on key strategic forest issues to federal, state and local policymakers.
• Monitor, analyze and prepare information on strategic legislative and administrative issues.
• Direct strategies, activities, and reporting related to lobbying on strategic policy issues. Ensure proper documentation regarding all lobbying efforts related to urban forest policy work.
• Lead grassroots advocacy efforts including member and donor engagement to further legislative and administration goals.
• Together with Vice President of Urban Forest Policy, support the development and promotion of urban forest policy and social equity issues.
• Together with Senior Advisor for Resilient Forest Policy, support the development and promotion of reforestation, forest restoration, and wildfire policy issues.

• Serve as one of the liaisons to the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, and other related federal agencies. Serve as the principal liaison to coalitions and other national and regional conservation organizations engaged in forests, natural climate solutions and related fields.
• Actively build upon existing relationships for the organization and cultivate news ones with key policymakers, conservation leaders, scientists and researchers, and others who might help American Forests advance its mission.
• Engage in the development and implementation of select workshops, Forest Congress, and Learning Labs that further American Forests’ policy objectives.

• Contribute to the efforts of identifying relevant foundations and other donors. In coordination with CPPO, and Chief Philanthropy Officer, lead the development of drafting funding proposals.
• Lead the annual strategic planning for forest climate policy.
• Other administrative duties as they arise.

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, government relations, law, public policy, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in natural resource policy and management, climate change policy, or similar field. Experience in forestry, urban forestry, and/or natural climate solutions preferred.
• Significant demonstrated experience in legislative or governmental affairs at the federal, state, or local levels.
• The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, thinks in an interdisciplinary manner, has entrepreneurial motivation, and attention to detail.
• The candidate must have strong personnel management, project management, and written/verbal communication skills including experience with media relations.
• Strong organizational, supervisory, and leadership capabilities are required.
• The candidate should have experience transforming grant deliverables into impactful actions.
• A combination of education and professional experience will be considered in determining qualifications.

This position will require up to 20% of travel outside of Washington D.C.

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

This position does not have any supervisory requirements.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+

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In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.