Sportsmen's Conservation Project - Communications Director

Trout Unlimited (TU), North America’s leading coldwater fisheries conservation organization, works to protect, restore and reconnect critical trout and salmon habitat throughout the West. In the West, intact fish and game habitat translates directly into quality hunting and fish. Trout Unlimited’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project (SCP) works to protect intact landscapes from threats that would tarnish quality habitat and put in jeopardy our irreplaceable hunting and fishing heritage.

We are seeking a staff member to direct communications for TU’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project, a TU program with approximately 25 staff members located throughout the West that focuses on protecting high quality fish and wildlife habitat. Educating, organizing and mobilizing fellow anglers and hunters is the primary strategy employed to achieve conservation goals. The SCP Communications Director also will be part of the organization’s Communications Team, which develops and executes TU’s national communications strategy and ensures consistency across programs. The SCP Communications Director will report to the SCP Director.

Primary responsibilities include:

Direct all external media communications (e.g., print, electronic, web, etc.).
With SCP staff, develop and implement media and communication plans for both place-based and policy conservation initiatives.

• Assist SCP Director and VP for Western Conservation with speech writing and PowerPoint presentation development and identify opportunities to make presentations to increase TU’s visibility.
• Serve on the Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development’s Communications Team, a joint initiative of TU, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the National Wildlife Federation.
  • Supervise junior SCP communications staff member.
• Participate on TU’s national Communications Team to coordinate communications throughout TU and advance organization-wide objectives.

  Qualifications: 

• A college degree.
• At least three years of experience developing and leading media and communications efforts in support of issue or political campaigns, preferably with a conservation focus.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Understanding of public lands management in the West.
• Understanding of fishing and hunting in the West, and the ability to relate to sportsmen/women who both hunt and fish.
• Passion for protecting fish and wildlife habitat and angling and hunting opportunities
• Strong team ethic.
• Willingness to travel throughout the West and occasionally to Washington D.C.

Locating the position in Durango, CO, Lander, WY, Bozeman, MT or Missoula, MT is preferred; however, other locations will be considered. Competitive benefits and pay provided. TU is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Process: Send cover letter and resume by July 29, 2011, to the following address or email: Steve Kandell, 1032 ½ Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado 81301 or skandell@tu.org.