Director of Government Relations for Park Equity
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 3 million acres of public land, created more than 5,000 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $93 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected more than 9 million people to the outdoors.
The Director of Government Relations for Park Equity is the federal point person on TPL’s “Closing the Park Equity Gap” strategic priority. Access to parks and green space is a fundamental human need, made all the more urgent and apparent during the pandemic. Parks, trails, and green schoolyards are multi-benefit assets for communities – providing a place to exercise, see friends, get outside, clear one’s head and enjoy fresh air and nature. Additionally, parks build social capital, cool their neighborhoods and absorb stormwater. But everyone doesn’t have the same access to quality parks. Low-income and majority non-white communities have on average 50% less park space than high-income or majority white neighborhoods. TPL is a leader in the effort to correct that historic imbalance and close the park equity gap.
The Director will report to the Vice President, Federal Relations and will join the Federal Relations team in Washington, D.C., leading our work on federal policy, funding, and regulations that accelerate equitable park creation. In that role, they will establish relationships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and the parks and social justice communities to advance equitable access to nature policies. They will advocate TPL’s policy and appropriations needs to committee and member staff and work with TPL park development staff to complete parks projects across the nation.
Essential Functions:
Qualifications:
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, ten+ holidays, a one-week paid winter break and a 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 7% company match. The anticipated hiring range for this role is $95,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience.
The Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all of the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.
The Director of Government Relations for Park Equity is the federal point person on TPL’s “Closing the Park Equity Gap” strategic priority. Access to parks and green space is a fundamental human need, made all the more urgent and apparent during the pandemic. Parks, trails, and green schoolyards are multi-benefit assets for communities – providing a place to exercise, see friends, get outside, clear one’s head and enjoy fresh air and nature. Additionally, parks build social capital, cool their neighborhoods and absorb stormwater. But everyone doesn’t have the same access to quality parks. Low-income and majority non-white communities have on average 50% less park space than high-income or majority white neighborhoods. TPL is a leader in the effort to correct that historic imbalance and close the park equity gap.
The Director will report to the Vice President, Federal Relations and will join the Federal Relations team in Washington, D.C., leading our work on federal policy, funding, and regulations that accelerate equitable park creation. In that role, they will establish relationships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and the parks and social justice communities to advance equitable access to nature policies. They will advocate TPL’s policy and appropriations needs to committee and member staff and work with TPL park development staff to complete parks projects across the nation.
Essential Functions:
- Support development and lead implementation of the organization’s federal parks equity legislative agenda.
- Lobby on behalf of park-related programs funded through federal appropriations, including the Interior and Environment; Transportation/HUD; and Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations bills.
- Oversee TPL’s park and equity advocacy and project work with the National Park Service, Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service.
- Develop and grow partnerships with environmental justice, climate justice and parks organizations and manage TPL’s participation in various D.C. and locally-based coalitions.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5-7 years’ experience with federal advocacy, including Congressional or federal agency lobbying; Capitol Hill experience preferred.
- BA or BS (4 year college degree) preferred.
- A strong commitment to ensuring access to nature and equitable park development required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of advocacy, strategy, policy, politics, and coalition- and program-building required; conservation, park development, environmental justice or climate experience a plus.
- Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to set and meet deadlines and goals.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member as well as independently, with minimal supervision.
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, ten+ holidays, a one-week paid winter break and a 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 7% company match. The anticipated hiring range for this role is $95,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience.
The Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all of the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.