Organizational Profile:
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a North American nonprofit organization with chapters throughout Canada and the United States. BHA seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.
Now, more than ever before, we need wild lands: places that offer solitude and challenge to rekindle the fire at the heart of the human soul. BHA is a nonpartisan group of sportsmen and women who are standing up for these places and for the outdoor access opportunities they represent. We are North America’s leading conservation organization dedicated to our public land legacy and the waters, wildlife and traditions they sustain.
Description:
We are seeking an individual with the talent, passion and desire to spearhead the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers mission in addition to engaging in local conservation issues in California. This position will work with the Chapter Board and volunteers in California to strengthen and develop chapter leadership, mobilize members and supporters to engage on critical state and local policy issues, execute boots-on-the-ground stewardship work, fundraise in support of chapter and HQ goals, and maintain a strong presence with conservation partners, coalitions, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and key decision makers. The coordinator serves as the liaison between BHA’s staff and chapter leadership and is ultimately connected with all of BHA’s work executed in the state.
The ideal candidate will operate with limited supervision and be flexible and organized in a fast-paced remote work environment. This position requires the ability to exercise good judgment, analyze problems and quickly develop solutions, work collaboratively with a variety of personalities, respond to change quickly and with a positive attitude, and adhere to standards of confidentiality. In addition, this candidate should be capable of evaluating and implementing policy strategies with complex dynamics and executing grant work including preparation of final reports to accurately document activities. The successful candidate will represent BHA with integrity and champion our mission and values in all facets of their work.
Primary Responsibilities:
The California Chapter Coordinator will engage in the following:
- Inspire, cultivate and mentor willing volunteers to lead the development of the CA chapter through on the ground projects, fundraising events, membership recruitment and engagement on conservation issues central to BHA’s mission.
- Support the CA chapter board and ensure that chapter leaders are informed of and understand BHA policies, procedures and new initiatives.
- Work with chapters and BHA staff to develop and promote robust fundraising events such as hunting and fishing film tours, sport shows, clay shoots, pint nights storytelling nights and other events to promote membership, attract new public lands advocates and create in-person opportunities to grow our network and advance BHA’s work in CA.
- Help with existing state and federal grant deliverables and help identify, draft and execute grant proposals while building innovative partnerships for project proposals.
- Manage chapter communications through BHA’s website, email systems and chapter-based social media to elevate BHA’s profile, attract new members and partners and advance policy priorities.
- Monitor activities and legislation at the state legislature, and rulemaking at the Fish & Game Commission related to public lands, hunting, fishing and management of fish, wildlife, and habitat.
- Work with BHA staff to assist chapter by developing legislative or programmatic updates and activating members and supporters to engage in state legislatures, meetings with decision-makers and other events as needed.
- Work with external partners to advance strategies related to legislative or administrative conservation priorities.
- Help maintain local staff relationships with CA’s congressional delegation.
- Work with BHA’s communications staff to solicit and/or generate online content highlighting chapter policy priorities, leaders or on the ground conservation successes.
- Work with BHA’s communications staff to write letters to the editor, opinion columns and letters to state and national legislators.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must believe in and commit to BHA's work and mission.
- Preferably a hunter and/or angler.
- Must demonstrate the ability to work with and interact with sportsmen and women and have a general knowledge of current and historical conservation issues, economics and the current political landscape.
- Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must conduct work with integrity, good humor and a focus on developing partnerships, building trust and strengthening professional relationships.
- Bachelor’s degree, plus a minimum of two years of practical experience.
- Previous experience in nonprofit volunteer management and grassroots organizing is strongly preferred.
- Willing to work flexible hours and travel across CA up to 25% of the time, including periodic travel to the state legislature as needed.
- Previous experience in nonprofit volunteer management and grassroots organizing is strongly preferred.
- Must be innovative and a resourceful self-starter who can work with minimal supervision.
- Must be able to lift 25 pounds and have a valid driver’s license.
- GIS knowledge a plus
Starting Salary: Dependent on experience. This is a junior-level position, but prior experience will be considered in determining compensation.
Location: California
Application: To apply send cover letter and resume to hiring committee at [email protected] with the subject line “California Chapter Coordinator.”
Please attach your cover letter and resume as one pdf document. The application cover letter should outline both your interest in and qualifications for this position.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters and wildlife.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.