Native Vote Director for Wisconsin Conservation Voices

Join Wisconsin Native Vote, a program of our 501c3 sister organization Wisconsin Conservation Voices, to make a difference in your community! Wisconsin Native Vote has been an integral part of increasing voter participation in tribal communities across the state, partnering with tribal leaders, artists, community leaders, and others to educate and engage voters. Wisconsin Conservation Voices is looking for a Native Vote Director who has a deep commitment to Wisconsin’s tribal communities, enjoys managing staff and developing programs, and believes in the power of voting to create positive change. This is a full-time position and there is geographic flexibility within the state.

Wisconsin Native Vote is a program of Wisconsin Conservation Voices and has helped significantly increase voter turnout in tribal communities across the state since 2011. Wisconsin Conservation Voices brings people together to protect the Wisconsin we love, working to improve public health, protect natural resources, and promote a robust democracy. Wisconsin Native Vote registers, educates, and engages voters in tribal communities and works to end practices that disenfranchise voters. Learn more about Wisconsin Native Vote here.

As the Native Vote Director you will be responsible for the following:

• Identify, develop, and lead priority campaigns and strategic direction for the Native Vote team.
• Manage a team of three to seven Native Vote staff. Staff are based around the state and are a mix of full-time staff and temporary part-time election staff.
• Direct Native Vote election work including voter registration, voter education, and get-out-the-vote.
• Manage and track the Native Vote budget and other metrics.
• Collaborate with WCV communications staff to help create the voice for Native Vote, including but not limited to emails, texts, digital, and radio ads.
• Develop and maintain relationships with tribal leadership through individual meetings and by attending tribal council meetings, Great Lakes Intertribal Council meetings, and other relevant governmental events.
• Collaborate with Native partner groups to reduce barriers to voting in tribal communities.
• Work with a data consultant to continue to develop the Native Vote database.
• Act as spokesperson for Native Vote with funders.
• Gather and analyze reporting and metrics of Native Vote staff.
• Participate on the staff Leadership Team and present to the board when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community members and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

To succeed in this job, you:

• Have excellent interpersonal skills. You can lead a team, work well with peers, and manage projects that require input from multiple staff and stakeholders.
• Have strong staff management skills and are able to manage remote staff.
• Value learning, are curious, and like to seek out new ideas and opportunities for personal growth and improvement.
• Are a problem solver and strategic thinker who can identify solutions to new and emerging challenges.
• Are committed to improving voter access for Wisconsin tribal communities.
• Have an understanding of and comfort with tribal protocols, practices, and cultures.
• Are able to develop and maintain relationships with tribal leaders, elders, and community members.

Work Experience: 3+ years of experience managing staff/teams; Experience working with tribal communities and a knowledge of Wisconsin tribes and tribal sovereignty; Experience or understanding of voter education, voter registration, political campaigns or community organizing.

Skills: Exceptional leadership, supervision, management and coaching skills, including managing staff. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to represent Wisconsin Native Vote to donors and press. Ability to juggle multiple tasks, think strategically and solve problems, and set priorities in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. Ability to use technology like databases and texting software. Ability to track and manage a budget, metrics, and reporting. Reliable, consistent, and self-motivated.

We know there are great candidates who may not check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven't considered. If that applies to you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Conditions: This is a full-time position and there is geographic flexibility within the state of Wisconsin. Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license are required. You must be able to maintain a flexible schedule (some evenings and weekend hours are required). You must be able to do routine office duties such as typing or using a phone, attend and train people to table at events, and go door to door canvassing. This position is classified as exempt.

Salary and benefits: Salary range is $70,000-80,000. We provide health and dental coverage, 401k plan with match, FSA plan, life insurance, and phone stipend. We offer generous paid time off, a sabbatical program, flexibility in working hours, mileage reimbursement for work travel, ability to work from home, and professional development opportunities.

Reports to: Civic Engagement Director

Please note that since employees are paid through our 501(c)(4) nonprofit sister organization, employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our commitment to racial justice and equity: We recognize that historic and current systems and decisions – including within the conservation community – have created injustice. Through our work we confront these injustices and fight for an equitable balance of power. We hold ourselves accountable to being inclusive and equitable in our own actions and within our organization. We encourage people from Native communities and underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Read more about our commitment in our Guiding Principles.

Email your resume, cover letter, and three references by September 17 to apply@conservationvoices.org, with “Native Vote Director” in the subject line. This position has a flexible start date in late October or early November 2023.