Government Affairs/Conservation Finance Director - New Jersey/Pennsylvania
The Trust for Public Land
Morristown, NJ
The Conservation Finance Field Director collaborates with Conservation Finance colleagues, Conservation Research colleagues and programmatic experts across the country to foster new sources of park and land conservation funding at the state and local government level. The position is responsible for developing and conducting community outreach and technical assistance to foster new sources of public funding for parks and land conservation through ballot measures and legislative action. The Director is also responsible for marketing these services, developing proposals for services, designing public opinion research, negotiating contracts, making presentations, and coordinating a team of internal and external experts in public finance research, public opinion surveys, and campaigns. The job requires coordination with field and research staff based in many different offices and collaboration with legal, finance, philanthropy, and marketing staff.
This position utilizes skills in leadership, strategy, policy, politics, and coalition and program building towards our efforts to deliver the Trust for Public Land's mission. The director will build consensus and support across internal and external stakeholders and will seek to build awareness, credibility, and board based support for land conservation and The Trust for Public Land's mission.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Provide Conservation Finance services, including assisting communities in evaluating the feasibility of ballot and legislative measures through research and analysis of voter demographics, election history, public opinion, legal constraints, internal capability, and likelihood of support from agencies, elected officials, and partner organizations. Support the development and implementation of specific measures, including:
* analysis of existing and proposed efforts;
* evaluation of alternative legal and financing structures of measures;
* polling and message development;
* recommending measure timing and dollar amount;
* developing ballot language;
* campaign fund raising;
* communicating with voters;
* building campaign organizations;
* state legislative lobbying; and
* coalition-building and management.
Manage research and survey projects from start to finish, including scoping project parameters, development of project scheduling and facilitating regular communication with internal and external project partners.
Manages development of campaign strategies, allocation of resources, and collaboration with other Conservation Finance staff.
Collaborates with Conservation Research staff to develop detailed financial models that enable the design and implementation of mechanisms that provide long term financial support to park and conservation programs.
Market and promote TPL's Conservation Finance programs, including presenting these services to local governments and project partners.
Build and manage teams of regional staff, national staff, and outside consultants to deliver program services.
Work with Philanthropy staff to identify foundation and major individual donor prospects, develop proposals, make solicitations, and close gifts for TPL's Conservation Finance program.
Develop and manage relationships and fee-for-service contracts with special district, municipal, county, and state government entities, elected officials, and key staff.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Communications, Political Science Urban Planning or related field.
- Demonstrated ability to set and meet deadlines and work with minimal supervision.
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently
- Required Experience:
- 5 + years' experience in politics including direct political campaign experience, advocacy, legislative work, fundraising, and media relations.
- Proven ability to successfully develop strategy for, plan, directs, manage, and execute electoral or ballot measure campaigns.
- Experience with synthesizing and summarizing qualitative and quantitative data and ability to quickly identify the essence of an issue.
- Experience working with public or election officials, research experts, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Experience commissioning and managing policy research and disseminating it effectively to policymakers, the media and the public.
- Experience working with state and local governments, including upper-level agency staff and elected officials, both legislative and executive.
- Experience working for and with other nonprofit organizations.
- Experience working with coalitions and on legislative campaigns
- Experience in nonprofit fund raising, including a track record of securing support, from foundation and individuals.
Required Skills:
- Superior written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills with demonstrated ability to develop strategic approaches to stakeholder involvement and meeting facilitation.
- Solid foundation in grassroots and grass tops organizing.
- Demonstrated qualitative and quantitative analytical skills applied to public policy issues
- Required knowledge:
- Familiarity with regional land use issues, communities, land trusts, and governments.
- Familiarity with public finance field, including government budgeting, state and local revenue sources, and bonding procedures.
- Knowledge of park and open space issues, growth management, urban planning and development, and related topics.
- Keen understanding of and appreciation for the importance of rigorous, timely and policy-relevant research.
- Helpful/Preferred qualifications
- Prior experience working in partnership with volunteers helpful.
- Familiarity and facility with digital campaign communication tools (including online and social media) and techniques will be considered a plus.
How to applySubmit Resume and Cover Letter:
http://www.tpl.org/about/jobs/government-affairs-conservation-finance-director-atlantic-seaboard
