Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion!
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Rhode Island Director of Climate and Government Relations oversees all aspects of climate equity and government relations work for Rhode Island. They provide supervision and team management for equitable conservation programs to address climate change and environmental threats and promote social equity, including technical and program support. They serve as the principle contact to government agencies and community partners. The Director of Climate and Government Relations establishes the Conservancy as a major conservation partner with local organizations and municipalities, defining climate and nature-based infrastructure priorities. They lead and manage a team (five direct reports) which supports and improves conservation efforts, building strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. The Director of Climate and Government Relations develops a growth environment fostering staff engagement, accountability, and retention. They create, strengthen, and lead a culture of trust, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The Director of Climate and Government Relations develops annual and ongoing legislative strategy and administers the execution and implementation of strategies through key partnerships. They collaborate with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, and engage local community support for local conservation efforts.
The Director of Climate and Government Relations negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and partners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies. They direct and support the Rhode Island Municipal Resilience Program focusing on implementation of workshop results. They participate in the Energy Efficiency Resource Management Council and the Future of Gas docket, lobbying at the Rhode Island State House, and congressional delegation.
Regular travel domestically, evening hours are required. This is a hybrid position with an average of two days a week in the Providence office.
We’re Looking for You:
We seek applications from equity-minded candidates who will thrive in an environment that is committed to advancing the principles of climate resilience, social equity and inclusion, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with strong experience in leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary team.
The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!
What You’ll Bring:
Additional Job Information:
The Rhode Island Chapter is comprised of 31 employees who are committed to teamwork; cross-collaboration; professional development; a fun and inclusive office culture; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice learning and practices. In addition to the minimum requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Passion, innovation, and diversity are all key components to advancing our Mission and we encourage you to apply.
What We Bring:
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!
Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. Our organization envisions a positive future world where the aspirations of a growing human population are met—people are fed, healthy, employed, educated—and the diversity of all life persists.