Mid-Atlantic Conservation Policy Manager

Appalachian Mountain Club; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 56,380 - 71,760; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Life Insurance

403(b) with match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) seeks a Conservation Policy Manager to lead our coalition-based work driving conservation and outdoor recreation in the Mid-Atlantic. Based in Bethlehem, PA, you will coordinate with policy and advocacy teams to advance priorities across state and federal levels, strengthening relationships with agencies, elected officials, and partner organizations.

The role emphasizes coalition-building, advocacy, and equitable access to the outdoors, with responsibilities to

Qualifications

• Passion for the outdoor recreation, conservation, and education mission of AMC.
• A variety of backgrounds with at least five years of experience or a combination of professional and graduate experience.
• Experience building coalitions and networks with key stakeholders and facilitating information exchange toward common goals.
• Strong research, writing, and verbal communications skills, and comfort with public speaking.
• Solid computer skills and willingness to learn more as needed.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to engage volunteers and constituents from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural relevance for AMC employees, volunteers, and communities.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel with some overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Lead AMC's conservation and recreation policy work in the Mid-Atlantic region, coordinating campaigns and initiatives at state and federal levels.
• Lead and support the Pennsylvania Highlands Coalition and the 4-state Highlands Coalition in CT, NJ, NY, and PA.
• Build relationships with federal, state, and local officials to support AMC operations and trails priorities.
• Analyze and comment on legislation, regulations, and policies related to land conservation, climate solutions, and equity in outdoors.
• Convene coalitions, recruit partners, and coordinate advocacy efforts across organizations.
• Prepare and edit action alerts, posts, blogs, memos, testimony, lobbying materials, and press releases.
• Organize informational programs and events such as webinars and meetings about the Highlands and Delaware River watershed.
• Engage AMC members and volunteers, coordinating events and recreational outings as needed.
• Assist with grant development by ideation, grant writing, and strengthening funder relationships.
• Identify and lead new strategic initiatives in the region and develop innovative tools for AMC’s mission.
• Represent AMC at regional conferences, press events, and meetings in the Mid-Atlantic.

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Mid-Atlantic Conservation Office - Bethlehem, PA 18017

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $56,380.00 - $71,760.00

Salary

Job Shift: Any

Join the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in our mission to protect the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Appalachian region, ongoing since 1876. Our values encompass diversity, inclusivity, trust, and respect for the environment. As an employee, you\'ll gain access to enriching programs, policies, and procedures that enable you to drive real change. If you\'re ready to explore, protect, and create memories within a dynamic community, apply now to be a part of the AMC team!

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is seeking a talented and enthusiastic conservation advocate and public policy professional to lead our coalition-based work to advance conservation and recreation in the Mid-Atlantic Region, based out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They will work with our policy and advocacy team to advance our policy priorities related to conservation, outdoor recreation, and the intersections with climate mitigation, as well as advancing greater equity in the outdoors. As part of our team of advocates from Maine to Pennsylvania, they coordinate with conservation and research staff, as well as our volunteers, to help build relationships between AMC and federal and state agencies, including regulatory bodies, elected officials, the private sector, and other non-profit organizations.

A qualified candidate will be enthusiastic about AMC’s conservation and recreation mission, have a proven track record as a skilled communicator, and will have experience in community and constituency engagement around environmental and outdoor recreation issues.

The Conservation Policy Manager is primarily focused on eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Priority initiatives include state and federal legislative and regulatory public policy issues in the region that protect and invest in the region’s landscape and waters and advance equitable access to the outdoors.

What you’ll be doing at AMC:

• Lead AMC's conservation and recreation policy work in the Mid-Atlantic region, including working with AMC’s advocacy team to identify and implement public policy and advocacy campaigns and initiatives at both the state and federal level, often working in partnership with other non-profit organizations in a coalition setting.
• Lead and support the Pennsylvania Highlands Coalition in its work to protect the Pennsylvania Highlands region, as well as supporting the 4-state Highlands Coalition in CT, NJ, NY, and PA.
• Build relationships with federal, state, and local government officials, especially in areas supporting AMC operations and trails priorities.
• Analyze and comment on legislation, regulations, and policies related to land conservation and management, natural climate solutions, outdoor recreation, and equity in the outdoors.
• Build and convene coalition partnerships with conservation and outdoor recreation organizations and coordinate coalition advocacy efforts. Recruit additional business and community partner voices to advocate for conservation and recreation access.
• Write and edit compelling pieces, including online action alerts, social media posts, and blog entries as well as policy memos, testimony, lobbying materials, and press releases.
• Organize and host informational programs and events, such as webinars, meetings, and presentations about the Highlands and Delaware River watershed.
• Engage and cultivate action among AMC members, volunteers, the public, and partner organizations. Activities may include coordinating and participating in events and recreational outings as needed.
• Assist with grant development by conceptualizing grant fundable projects, pitching and writing grant applications, as well as strengthening relationships with grant funders.
• Identify and lead new strategic initiatives in the region, such as expanding programs, tackling new policy arenas, and developing innovative tools and approaches for advancing AMC’s conservation and recreation mission.
• Represent AMC at regional conferences, press events, and meetings, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Support internal coordination across the Conservation team, as needed (Trails, Research, Lands, and Policy) and with Operations, Growth, and Development teams.

Qualifications

What AMC is looking for:

• Passion for the outdoor recreation, conservation, and education mission of AMC.
• A variety of backgrounds and experiences may be considered, including environmental policy and advocacy, land and water protection, issue-based or other campaign work, volunteer relations, community outreach or organizing, constituency engagement, communications, social science, or a related field, with at least five years of experience, or a combination of professional experience and graduate experience.
• Experience in building or productively contributing to coalitions and networks, identifying relationships with key stakeholders, and facilitating information exchange among diverse interests toward a common set of goals.
• Strong research, writing, and verbal communications skills, and a comfort with public speaking.
• Solid computer skills and a willingness to learn more as needed.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proven experience in working effectively to support and engage volunteers and other constituents often of a varied background and experience level.
• Commitment to creating an equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant environment for AMC employees, guests, visitors, volunteers, and other constituents.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as well as a willingness to travel with overnight stays throughout the Northeast, often no more than two nights a month.

Physical abilities required: Majority of work is performed in a standard office setting. The ability to occasionally travel safely in the backcountry in all weather conditions carrying a backpack of up to 20 pounds is preferred. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, and operate standard office equipment.

What AMC Can Offer You:

Salary range: $56,380 - $71,760

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits

• Health Plan: Generous employer contributions through Cigna with optional vision and dental.
• Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability.
• Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.
• Retirement: Mandatory 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule.

• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of paid earned time and up to 11 paid company holidays.
• Other Team Member Perks:
• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise
• Free Annual AMC Membership
• 10 Free nights at AMC locations
• Educational Assistance
• Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!

To Apply:

Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls or agencies please.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.