Vice President, Species Conservation and Coexistence

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Vice President, Species Conservation and Coexistence

SALARY: $165,000 - $185,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Field Conservation

LOCATION: Washington, D.C Preferred; Will consider Denver, CO, or Remote.

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORT(S): 6 direct

LAST REVISED: April 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President for Species Conservation and Coexistence directs Defenders’ regional and field work to conserve priority species and advance national policy priorities, including those pertaining to wildlife-human coexistence. The Vice President ensures effective on the ground implementation of priority species conservation plans and related imperiled wildlife conservation programs and campaigns. These plans and programs involve a wide range of policy, legal, advocacy and scientific strategies to conserve wildlife.

Priority areas include protecting and restoring threatened and endangered species; promoting coexistence efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts; influencing federal, state and tribal administrative and legislative initiatives impacting wildlife, habitat, and other natural resources; working on federal, state and tribal land management issues impacting sensitive wildlife species; maintaining and enhancing the ecological integrity of priority wildlife habitat; reforming state wildlife agencies and commissions; promoting environmentally responsible renewable energy development; and maintaining and enhancing the conservation of biodiversity in general. Working closely with the President & CEO, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs and other senior leadership, the Vice President is committed to advancing Defenders’ strategic plan goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works closely with the President & CEO, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs, and other members of Defenders’ senior leadership, to provide leadership direction on matters involving Defenders’ organization, programs and culture.
• Provides leadership and supervision for our species conservation and coexistence work. Working with Field Directors and conservation program vice presidents, prioritize and develop short- and long-range strategic plan objectives, organizational structure, and department staffing and budget requirements.
• In consultation with Defenders’ leadership and other departments, develops wildlife conservation policy positions for imperiled species to achieve Defenders’ strategic goals and priorities.
• Oversees Defenders’ wildlife conservation and coexistence programs to provide for the long-term conservation of imperiled species and other wildlife.
• Works with federal agencies, Congress, state agencies, tribes, private landowners, and non-governmental organizations to develop and implement national policies that promote human-wildlife coexistence strategies.
• Directs, coordinates, and/or assists Defenders’ advocacy efforts to influence legislation, regulatory processes, agency policies, and land management plans that affect imperiled species and/or involve issues that span multiple regions.
• Represents Defenders in public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, coalitions, and in general communications with public officials, legislators, the news media, Defenders’ membership, the donor community, and the public.
• Develops and effectively manages the annual budgets for all of the Field program regions (both restricted and unrestricted funding).
• Works with the Development and Marketing departments to raise funds for species conservation and coexistence programs.
• Ensures optimum performance for individuals and group function. Recommends and implements techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, and maintain state-of-the-art practices for the department.
• Ensures communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitor performance. Provide regular coaching and counseling. Identify training needs. Prepare and deliver salary and performance reviews; review and approve performance and salary appraisals as necessary. Working with the Human Resources department, resolve staff disciplinary issues.
• This position requires regular travel.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; advanced degree preferred

Experience: 15 years; 7 years supervisory; 5 years managing 2+ layers

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Species Conservation and Coexistence

1. Working knowledge of wildlife conservation at the state and regional levels, including the political environments of the 6 regions in which Defenders has field programs.
2. Experience working with Native American communities and governments.
3. Working knowledge of federal agencies, laws, and policies dealing with use and conservation of natural resources, particularly the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
4. Experience with federal land use planning and management.
5. Experience developing, implementing, and managing legislative and advocacy campaigns.
6. Political experience, including a strong understanding of lobbying and state and federal legislative processes.
7. Other relevant experience with legislative procedures, grassroots organizing, and communications.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

N

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

N

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

C

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

O

Adjusting or moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions.

O

Communicating with others to exchange information.

C

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

C

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

N

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

O

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

C

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Low temperatures.

O

High temperatures.

O

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

O

Noisy environments.

O

Hazardous conditions.

N

Poor ventilation.

N

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

N

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

C

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

X

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised this position is non union-eligible.