With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, founded in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life. With programs from Boston to Beijing, Environmental Defense is the only environmental group to receive an A rating from Wired magazine.

Overall Function:

Environmental Defense is seeking a Senior Policy Specialist to handle outreach and education to the executive branch and legislative branch for the organization's Oceans Program. The specialist, based in Washington, DC, will be responsible for developing policies and executing strategies for sustainable fisheries as well as building relationships with key fisheries policy-makers and stakeholders (e.g., Members of Congress, NOAA, fishing organizations).

Key Responsibilities:

- Working with the Ocean Program's national policy team, develop and lead education and outreach strategies for advancing fisheries conservation and management policies to key federal policy-makers, including Congress and NOAA.
- With the national policy director, manage operating budgets and liaise with funders, including grant writing and reporting.
- Analyze and develop proposals for ocean conservation funding and policies.
- Advocate for the use of performance-based fishery management tools (e.g., catch shares) in order to end overfishing and restore ocean ecosystems.
- Develop and lead partnerships, where applicable, with other ocean stakeholder groups, including other conservation groups.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key policy-makers and their staffs in Congress and leading ocean agencies.
- Assist in the preparation of communications materials for media, policy-makers and various stakeholders to build support and understanding for our positions.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will develop and implement aggressive policy and campaign strategies to achieve Environmental Defense's goals for sustainable fisheries.

Other desired qualifications include:

- Bachelor's degree required (advanced degree preferred) in environmental studies, natural resources management, communications, politics or other related field.
- Minimum seven years relevant work experience in organizing, fisheries management, communications, or related field.
- Demonstrated ability to lead outreach and education efforts while working in a team environment.
- Experience with federal fisheries and oceans policy, including familiarity with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
- Possess strong organizational and people skills, be a self-starter, but able to work closely with Directors and other staff.
- Capable of mobilizing scientific, legal, economic, and other experts to explain public policy initiatives.
- Capable of managing a diverse workload.
- Understanding of the federal funding process, including budget and appropriations.
- Strong written and verbal skills with the expertise to communicate complex regulatory issues to non-technical audiences.

SOURCE: ONLINE JOB WEBSITE 3/12/09
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