The mission of the Wild Salmon Center (WSC) is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim. We do this by establishing a local presence and/or providing technical and financial assistance to local partners to help them secure the health of the most productive salmon ecosystems on earth. We depend on the best conservation science to guide pragmatic, implementable solutions to sustain wild salmonids, as well as the human communities and livelihoods that depend on them.
Wild Salmon Center is an international organization with programs in Alaska, British Columbia, the Western Pacific, and the California, Oregon and Washington coasts. The home office is located in Portland, Oregon.
WSC is the leading group working to protect the strongest wild salmon rivers around the North Pacific – salmon strongholds. We focus on wild salmon because they are an iconic and powerful conservation symbol, wild to the core, with an incredible life story. When you protect salmon, you support the life of whole watersheds and everything in them, including people. We build alliances with and work alongside the most effective local and regional partners in the North Pacific.
Senior Manager for Wild Fish Conservation (Oregon)
Location : Portland, OR
Reports to: Vice President, Conservation
The Organization
The mission of Wild Salmon Center (WSC) is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim. WSC uses the best conservation science to develop and implement practical strategies to protect these extraordinary places and their biodiversity, as well as the communities and livelihoods that depend upon them. WSC is an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with programs in Mongolia, British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California.
The Position
The Senior Manager for Wild Fish Conservation (Oregon) is a new position that will advance the conservation and recovery of wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest by advocating for science-driven and precautionary fish management policies and programs. The position will focus on coastal populations of wild fish in Oregon, while coordinating with WSC staff in Washington. This position will serve as the organization’s strategic lead and point of contact for all wild fish management matters in Oregon, coordinating closely with the Oregon Policy Team and other WSC programs.
This position will lead both long-term initiatives and respond to near-term threats, which will require the development of strong coalitions and sustained partnerships. Key partners will include Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife staff, Fish & Wildlife Commission members, Tribes, and NGOs. The position will work with partners in coastal communities as well as in Salem, where the position will join other WSC staff and contract lobbyists to advocate for funding and policy priorities. The position will also work to secure the appointment of wild fish advocates to key boards, commissions, and committees.
In addition to state-level work, this position will participate on WSC’s Wild Fish Management Team, which includes staff from our science team, federal affairs team, and North America field staff. In this capacity, the position will provide input into needed reforms in range-wide policies like the Pacific Salmon Treaty and Magnuson-Stevens Act. Additionally, the position will work to ensure that program priorities in Oregon align with federal objectives, while also advancing broader organizational initiatives. This may include working with WSC’s federal affairs staff and contract lobbyists working in Washington DC.
Key Responsibilities
Wild Fish Program Leadership and Strategy Development in Oregon
- Participate in developing and updating WSC’s “Wild Fish Strategy” to ensure priorities in Oregon align with and advance range-wide strategies (e.g., Pacific Salmon Treaty) in coordination with WSC’s Fish Management Team.
- Coordinate all aspects of WSC’s advocacy on wild fish policy in Oregon.
- Work with WSC’s Science Team to incorporate the best available science into wild fish management and policy.
- Work with WSC’s Federal Affairs Director
State Policy
- Work with WSC’s Oregon Policy Team and contract lobbyists to track and engage in proposed legislation and agency rulemakings or policies affecting the management of wild fish in Oregon.
- Track and advocate for state and federal funding that supports wild fish conservation priorities.
- Represent WSC in legislative hearings, meetings, conferences, wild fish management panels, task forces, workgroups, and other public and private forums.
- Coordinate closely with the Oregon Policy Team to ensure integration of wild fish, water, forest, and other policy priorities.
- Cultivate wild fish conservation champions for Board and Commissions and work to secure appointments.
- Monitor and ensure effective implementation of Oregon’s two Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plans.
- Assist with the development of invasive fish species management plans impacting wild fish (e.g., eradication/management of non-native warm-water species).
Partnership Building and Campaign Development
- Develop policy agendas and campaign strategies to advance WSC’s “Wild Fish Strategy” and annual work plans.
- Develop, lead, and manage coalitions to collaboratively identify, develop, and advance wild fish management and policy priorities.
- Engage Tribal communities. Develop and nurture durable Tribal relationships as outlined in organization’s “Indigenous Engagement Framework.”
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with team members and partners, including state and federal agencies, Tribes, local governments, and grassroots leaders.
Development and Communications
- Coordinate with WSC’s Communications Program and Federal Affairs Team to develop external campaigns and media that educate and motivate target audiences on key wild fish issues and WSC priorities.
- Work with WSC’s Development Program to secure funding for wild fish policy initiatives.
- Cultivate and steward major donors and prospects, including individuals and private family foundations.
- Assist with grant proposals and report writing in coordination with WSC’s Development Program.
- Provide technical expertise on wild fish policy issues to a broad range of audiences.
Desired Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resource management, public policy, or related field is required. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree.
- Minimum of five years of progressively complex professional experience working on natural resource policy and management issues, with preference given to experience working on wild fish management and policy in Oregon.
- Familiarity with the political, social and cultural dynamics in Oregon, including current issues and challenges related to wild fish management.
- Experience working with and communicating effectively with a wide range of people with diverse experiences and viewpoints.
- Proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships and ability to work constructively across organizations and partnerships. Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically to achieve program goals in a dynamic team environment.
- Experience representing an organization before a legislative body, testifying on legislation, and meeting with legislators to discuss proposals and programs.
- Ability to accurately communicate and distill complex information to diverse audiences, including legislators, the media, stakeholders, donors, and the public in writing, presentations, and conversations.
- Experience managing complex processes and projects while balancing multiple priorities and consistently meeting deadlines with high-quality work.
- Proven ability to show initiative and work independently while supporting and communicating effectively with WSC colleagues.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective, diplomatic, and friendly communication style.
- Deep-seated passion for and commitment to the conservation of freshwater ecosystems and the wild fish they sustain. Time spent on Oregon’s rivers is essential (fishing time counts).
- Ability to attend meetings and workshops outside of regular work hours, including occasional weekends and evenings and occasional overnight travel.
Compensation
The pay range for this full-time position begins at $90,000 / year, commensurate with experience.
Additionally, a comprehensive benefits package, designed to help our employees stay healthy and plan for their financial future, includes:
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (includes employee/spouse, employee/dependent(s), as well as a partial premium for full family coverage)
- Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) plan that matches at 125% for the first 6% of salary contributed (after 6 months)
- Four weeks of vacation (to start), two weeks of sick and 10+ paid holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (health & dependent care)
- Support for continuing education
- Cell phone allowance & monthly stipend
- Flexible hybrid work schedule
- Outstanding work culture, including regular opportunities to visit and connect with salmon rivers
To Apply
Submit cover letter and CV to careers@wildsalmoncenter.org and include “Senior Manager for Wild Fish Conservation (Oregon)” in the subject line. Please note in your cover letter where you learned of the position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Wild Salmon Center is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We will gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to our People & Culture Manager at eellis@wildsalmoncenter.org in advance to request assistance.
Volunteer with Us
Want to make a difference in protecting some of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems across the northern Pacific Rim? All volunteer opportunities are on hold until further notice, but check our volunteer page for future opportunities.
