Chief Conservation Officer

Description

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is a mission-driven non-profit dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Since our founding in 1984, we have helped conserve nearly one square mile of elk country every day. In partnership with others, we have conserved or enhanced more than 9.2 million acres, including improving public access to more than 1.6 million acres. Our impact will extend to 10 million acres by 2030. 

Building on this momentum, RMEF is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Conservation Officer (CCO) to serve as member of the leadership team. The CCO is responsible for building multi-sector and multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on mission delivery and future initiatives. The CCO oversees advocacy and governmental affairs, representing RMEF with federal and state agencies, NGOs and other associated groups/individuals supporting impactful mission delivery. This position serves as a key representative of the organization’s conservation priorities with appropriate decision-makers, partners, donors, our membership, and the public.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise the CEO and Executive Team on positioning of RMEF conservation programs 
• Provide strategic input in the development and implementation of mission initiatives
• Oversee advocacy work of the organization on a federal, state, and local level
• Serve as a co-liaison or advisor role with board committees, sub-committees, and working groups
• Ensure that RMEF is informed, engaged and well-represented on issues and communications within relevant scientific, conservation, governmental and sportsmen communities
• Serve as a key resource in maintaining RMEF’s role as the go-to authority on elk
• Represent RMEF at national, and some state, government meetings/events to sustain RMEF’s highly respected reputation, as well as secure organizational support and funding 
• Assist in forming and strategizing RMEF positions on relevant issues 
• Represent RMEF on national-level groups, and as necessary at the regional level, and leverage these networks to assist RMEF with development and mission accomplishment
• Identify and cultivate relationships with corporations, private landowners, foundations, government agencies, and others to secure funds and position RMEF as a respected leader in the conservation world

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a senior conservation leader to help shape the future of conservation in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. 

Location: The CCO position is based at RMEF Headquarters in Missoula, Montana, full-time. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or a related field
• Eight-plus years of experience working in natural resources 
• Five years of experience working in a senior-level leadership position
• Strong emphasis on land management, lands administration, natural resource policy, or environmental planning
• Experience working with federal, state, or national conservation organizations and issues 
• Demonstrated experience in supervision, leadership, organizational management, and program management
• Experience in public relations is desirable 

Physical Demands:

• This position will encounter both office and field conditions
• Office work will require sitting or standing for extended periods of time, frequent use of office equipment such as telephones and computers
• Frequent travel by automobile, airplane, foot, or mechanized ORV’s will be required. Walking, hiking, climbing, and riding may all be required

Essential Functions: 

1. Advise the CEO and Executive Team on positioning of RMEF conservation programs, with forward thinking, relevancy, and advancement as the focus.
2. Provide strategic input in the development and implementation of mission initiatives, with the purpose of delivering impactful results throughout targeted sectors.   
3. Oversee advocacy work of the organization on a federal, state, and local level. Direct the staff and contractors responsible for our advocacy work and position statement implementation, ensuring full vetting of communications, positions, and partnerships in advocacy efforts.  
4. As assigned, serve as a co-liaison or advisor role with board committees, sub-committees, and working groups, primarily related to mission initiatives, planning, and delivery strategies.
5. Ensure that RMEF is informed, engaged and well-represented on issues and communications within relevant scientific, conservation, governmental and sportsmen communities. Facilitate relationships which further RMEF’s knowledge and understanding of key elk issues related to forest and habitat management, elk biology, hunting, predator management, and disease. Serve as a key resource in maintaining RMEF’s role as the go-to authority on elk.
6. Represent RMEF at national, and some state, government meetings/events to sustain RMEF’s premium reputation, as well as secure organizational support and funding. Assist in forming and strategizing RMEF position on relevant issues. Lead discussions regarding national conservation policies & issues and assist in decisions related to RMEF policies and positions that may be affected.    
7. Represents RMEF on national level groups, and as necessary at regional, including national meetings, seminars, and symposiums. Leverage these networks and contacts to assist RMEF with development and mission accomplishment. 
8. Identify and cultivate relationships with corporations, private landowners, foundations, government agencies, and others to secure funds and position RMEF as a respected leader in the conservation world. Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to other staff on how to establish these relationships and secure funding. 

Additional Responsibilities: 

Represent the RMEF at local, regional, and national meetings, seminars and symposiums that deal with natural resource management, land trust activities, and related fields of resource management. Provide staff and volunteers with project information, resource issue insights, and suggested strategies.  

Other duties as assigned.

Supervision of Others: 

The CCO position oversees the Director of Government Affairs position and other areas as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge of the RMEF’s mission, goals, organizational structure, and activities including biological, social, and political elements that shape them, and the ability to promote them.
2. Sound grasp of advocacy space RMEF exists in on daily basis. Understanding of land issues (public and private), big game conservation matters, state, and federal agency workings and RMEF’s brand in these spaces. Ability to identify funding sources and seek funding support of these initiatives. 
3. Knowledge and demonstrated success in fundraising.
4. Knowledge of the roles, authorities and responsibilities of federal, state, and county governments and work-related experience dealing with at least one level of government.
5. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate constructively with a wide variety of entities.  
6. Ability to perceive and establish long-term goals, to develop and implement programs that are cohesive, progressive, and that are mission-oriented.
7. Ability to develop and manage a budget. Fiscal responsibility.
8. An understanding of the responsibilities and mission of public land management organizations, public wildlife management organizations, and non-profit conservation organizations.
9. Ability to work with other departments within the organization and be an influential, respected team member. Must coordinate a variety of activities with diverse groups.
10. Must have excellent presentation and public speaking skills with the ability to adapt to a variety of different audiences.
11. Must have strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, to provide direction for, to support and to motivate staff.