Wisconsin Environment Conservation Advocate

The Public Interest Network; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Time off

Commuter benefit program

401(k) plan with employer match

Parental leave

Long term disability insurance

Needs-based student loan assistance

Training program and advancement

Job summary

Wisconsin Environment in Madison, WI is seeking a Conservation Advocate to defend Wisconsin’s natural places, reduce plastic waste, and promote clean energy solutions. This full-time role requires independent judgment and a drive to mobilize communities.

You will shape policy, build coalitions, organize events, and lead outreach to media and decision-makers while growing our team. The position offers a strong benefits package and opportunities to impact state environmental policy.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of advocacy or organizing experience.
• Effective communicator with writing and public speaking skills.
• Well-organized and able to manage multiple proposals.

Responsibilities

• Shape program priorities through policy development and research.
• Build coalitions across organizations and constituencies.
• Organize webinars, events, and recruit volunteers.
• Organize media attention and write opinion pieces.
• Advocate to decision-makers via lobbying and hearings.
• Grow the team and recruit strong candidates.

Skills

Grassroots organizing

Advocacy

Public speaking

Writing

Strategic thinking

Listening

Organizational skills

Job description

Wisconsin Environment Conservation Advocate

Department: State

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Madison, WI

Compensation: $40,000 - $46,000 / year

Description

From the Northwoods, to the shores of Lake Michigan, to the mighty Mississippi, Wisconsin’s natural environment is something special.

We are seeking a Conservation Advocate to conserve and protect Wisconsin’s special places, defend the wildlife that call our state home, reduce our reliance on single use plastics and other products that needlessly pollute and waste resources, and promote clean energy solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Our Conservation Advocate will lead our efforts to protect the places that make Wisconsin a special place to live. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• 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 constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals, including unlikely allies who might agree with us on one issue, even if we disagree on other issues.
• 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, the region and at the 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

You are:

• Passionate about the environment and using the power of 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.
• An effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills. Experience getting traditional and digital media coverage in previous work is a plus.
• Creative and effective at solving complex problems; a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities.
• A people person and good listener with a track record of successful access-building; willing and interested in working with people who think differently than you.
• 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 but not required.
• Fundraising experience, particularly in grant-seeking from charitable foundations.

Details

Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual compensation range for someone with 2-5 years of relevant experience is $40,000-$46,000. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. Wisconsin Environment offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes 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 may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location

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

Why work with Wisconsin Environment? Check out 10 reasons: https://wisconsinenvironment.org/why-work-with-us/

Our Mission and Values Wisconsin Environment and Environment America are part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://environmentamerica.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.

Wisconsin Environment is an equal opportunity employer.