Policy Manager – Cascade Forest Conservancy

Term: Full-time

Hours: 40 hours a week, occasional weekend/evening meetings and events. Flex time provided. FLSA
Exempt.

Compensation: $40,000 to $45,000 (commensurate with experience), with generous benefits including
medical & dental insurance, matching 401k plan, generous paid time off, and flexible hours and work
environment.

Location: Portland, OR – 4506 SE Belmont St. #230A, Portland, OR 97215 with periodic attendance at a
satellite office in Vancouver, WA, field work, and remote meetings.

Job Summary

The Cascade Forest Conservancy (CFC) is a nonprofit organization that strives to protect
and sustain forests, streams, wildlife, and communities in the heart of the Cascades through
conservation, education, and advocacy. We are in search of a Policy Manager, a professional-level
position to navigate complex regional, state, and federal management and policy to support CFC’s
programs and conservation mission. They will work closely with the U.S. Forest Service, partners,
collaborative groups, the public, and other CFC staff to seek sustainable solutions to current forest
practices that protect our watersheds, fish, wildlife, and resources. The Policy Manger will report to the
Director of Programs.

The Policy Manager leads policy efforts and supports grassroots campaigning to improve legislation,
policies, and forest management practices. They will provide legal and scientific reviews of agency
proposals, write detailed public comments, support efforts with the media and partners to provide
outreach, and serve as a spokesperson for policy initiatives.

This position will require collaboration, timely and strategic decision making, creativity, attention to
detail, and the ability to become well versed in an everchanging landscape of issues related to
conservation, politics, policy, and science. Current focus programs and initiatives include: forest
collaboratives, timber sale review and commenting, Mount St. Helens No Mine Campaign, political and
policy oversight (including Northwest Forest Plan and National Forest activities), forest management on
private and public lands, land protection campaigns, Spirit Lake and Pumice Plain protection, wolf
recovery and suction dredge mining (when applicable).

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Leads aforementioned CFC policy and advocacy programs by tracking, researching and
  impacting legislation, policies, and practices to support the CFC mission and provide the
  backbone for CFC’s grassroots and grasstops campaigns;
• Contributes to all CFC initiatives and programs where policy and advocacy input is needed;
• Writes detailed comments on projects proposed in the National Forest and Monument based on
  NEPA and other federal laws;
• Coordinates any necessary legal actions with legal partners and counsel such as the Lewis &
  Clark Law School;
• Acts as lead contact on two collaborative groups in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest: the
  Pinchot Partners and South Gifford Pinchot Collaborative, by attending monthly meetings of
  both groups to find common ground among stakeholders and pursuing creative new ideas that
  lead to sustainable solutions for our forests, watersheds, and wildlife;
• Review all proposed timber sales and comment as appropriate;
• Influence the strategic direction and priorities of the organization;
• Recruits, trains, and supervises policy advocacy interns and volunteers (as appropriate);
• Creates base content and updated information for policy programs to be used on our web site,
  social media, newsletter, blog, press releases, and events;
• Provides content for communications and campaign staff to engage in print, TV, and radio media
  outlets to generate articles, op-eds, and LTEs to pursue campaign goals;
• Serves as a spokesperson for programs and campaigns;
• Participates in speaking opportunities and events to educate and engage the public;
• Maintains and grows positive working relationships with key federal agency officials,
  congressional staff, nonprofits and a variety of coalition partners to advance our goals and
  influence;
• Participates in the identification of policy and advocacy grant funding opportunities,
  communicates with relevant grant officers;
• Creates content for compelling funding proposals;
• Collaborates on CFC’s fundraising efforts through donor engagement, events, and corporate
  sponsorships as appropriate; and
• Participates in retreats, trainings, conferences and field trips as required.

Job Requirement / Qualifications

• Bachelors required. Masters or law degree with emphasis in environmental policy or
  environmental science preferred;
• Minimum of 2 years working with nonprofit organizations in environmental policy;
• Knowledge of forestry practices and standards; collaboration experience a plus;
• Experience writing policy and NEPA comments on agency decisions;
• Passion for the mission of the CFC and knowledge of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem;
• Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills, including ability to communicate professionally
  and effectively with U.S. Forest Service personnel, partner organizations, community
  representatives across the political spectrum, donors and volunteers, board members, elected
  officials, and the general public;
• Ability to read and interpret legal documents, timber sale plans, natural resource inventories,
  and other related materials;
• Strong writing skills;
• Ability to work independently and multi-task;
• Ability to listen to and empathize with opposing positions and values, and work through to real
  solutions that benefit natural resources and the community;
• A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle to regularly attend activities away from the office;
  and
• A willingness and ability to participate in evening and weekend activities, as needed.

The Cascade Forest Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer: CFC is committed to supporting a
diverse workplace. We recognize that each employee brings their own unique characteristics,
capabilities, and experiences to their work. We value such diversity at all levels in the organization, and
we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, and
religions, as well as veterans and those experiencing disabilities.

Application

Please provide one PDF file including a resume, cover letter, and a writing example of
technical, scientific or policy work to admin@cascadeforest.org by September 8th, 2019. Please put your name and the job title in the subject line and on the PDF file.