Conservation Advocate

Environment America; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 39,750 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Parental leave

Long-term disability insurance

Needs-based student loan assistance

Job summary

A leading environmental organization is seeking a Conservation Advocate to protect Wisconsin's environment through grassroots organizing and advocacy. The role involves shaping policy priorities, building coalitions, organizing events, and fundraising. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in advocacy or organizing, excellent communication skills, and a passion for the environment. The position offers a competitive salary range of $39,750–$46,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and community involvement.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of advocacy or organizing experience; advanced degrees may count.
• Effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Well-organized and able to handle multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Shape program priorities through policy development and messaging.
• Build coalitions across diverse organizations.
• Organize events and recruit volunteers.
• Advocate for environmental action through lobbying and media.
• Fundraise through grant proposals and donor relations.
• Grow the team and manage interns.

Skills

Grassroots organizing

Campaign advocacy

Public speaking

Writing

Strategic thinking

Listening

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Conservation Advocate role at Environment America. We are seeking a Conservation Advocate to conserve and protect Wisconsin’s special places, defend wildlife, reduce single‑use plastics, and promote clean energy solutions.

Responsibilities

• Help shape program priorities: Participate in policy development, research, and messaging to determine our priorities and policy positions for environmental protection in Wisconsin.
• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals, including unlikely allies.
• Organize events and recruit volunteers: Organize webinars, community events, and public meetings; recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize media events and write opinion pieces; build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Advocate: Present a compelling case for strong action on the environment to decision‑makers through lobbying, testifying at hearings, and producing powerful written materials; build relationships with key players in the state, region, and federal level.
• Fundraise: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff, and raise money from individual donors to bring more resources to our campaigns.
• Grow our team: Identify and recruit strong candidates to join our staff and manage interns to maximize the impact of your campaigns; potential to oversee staff.

Qualifications

• Passionate about the environment and using grassroots organizing to win campaigns.
• A campaign advocate or grassroots organizer with at least 2 years of advocacy or organizing experience; advanced degrees may count toward experience.
• Effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills; experience getting traditional and digital media coverage is a plus.
• Creative and strategic thinker who can solve complex problems and seize new opportunities.
• People person and good listener with a track record of successful access‑building; willing to work with people who think differently.
• Well‑organized and able to work on multiple legislative and administrative proposals at once.

Additional helpful experience: experience in the state legislature or other government office, or with an environmental or public health advocacy organization is a plus; fundraising experience, particularly in grant‑seeking from charitable foundations.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual compensation range for someone with 2‑5 years of relevant experience is $39,750–$46,000.

Wisconsin Environment offers an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents; time off; a commuter benefit program; a 401(k) plan with employer match; parental leave; long‑term disability insurance; and needs‑based student loan assistance.

Location

Madison, WI preferred. We will also consider other locations in Wisconsin.

Apply

Complete our online application: https://jobs.publicinterestnetwork.org/postings/5d2302b1-a83e-48f5-b640-8af11bc866e5

Equal Opportunity Employer

Wisconsin Environment is an equal opportunity employer.