Captive Wildlife Advocacy Specialist
Fully Remote PETA Foundation
Job Type
Full-time
Description

Position Objectives: 

The Captive Animal Law Enforcement (CALE) division of the PETA Foundation’s legal department is seeking a motivated candidate with advocacy and/or captive wildlife experience who will help us to shed light on and end the worst abuses for captive wildlife in roadside zoos, circuses, and other traveling shows. 

Our multidisciplinary team of lawyers, veterinarians, captive wildlife specialists, and other professionals get laws enforced, develop ideas for innovative litigation, influence policy, bring media attention to PETA’s work, and encourage the public to speak up for captive animals languishing in squalor. We’ve rescued tigers from Joe Exotic and other Tiger King hellholes, prevented sleazy shopping mall aquariums from opening, stopped circuses from exporting endangered animals for their shows, and more.

The right candidate will monitor the headlines for breaking news stories relating to captive wildlife abuse, neglect, and work with PETA’s media and marketing departments to shine a light on these incidents to ensure that PETA’s messaging is part of the story. The candidate will work with CALE leadership to arrange for speedy media coverage of egregious legal violations relating to captive wildlife, conduct research to advocate for the animals, and draft outreach to further PETA’s campaigns on behalf of animals used for entertainment. The right candidate will have strong writing and project management skills, the ability to work quickly, and a demonstrated commitment to PETA’s mission to dismantle speciesism (the misguided belief that humans are superior to other animals and therefore may oppress and exploit them).


Position Objective: 

Expose captive wildlife abuse and legal violations and harness media to advocate for captive animals and to provide support for PETA’s campaigns 


Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Monitor media for breaking news stories relating to U.S. captive wildlife issues

• Coordinate media releases, action alerts, blogs, and web features

• Work with teammates and PETA’s media relations, marketing, and campaigns staff to develop novel and impactful messaging and media strategies 

• Represent PETA’s captive wildlife campaigns to the public and local and national media outlets as authorized 

• Research and track animal exhibitors to identify issues impacting captive-animal welfare

• Draft correspondence and publications, and respond to inquiries and requests

• Liaise with various PETA and PETA Foundation departments to enhance public awareness of captive wildlife issues and secure protections for captive wildlife

• Write materials and ensure factual accuracy and sourcing for a variety of projects advancing PETA's captive wildlife protection campaigns

• Conduct research relating to CALE matters at the direction of CALE attorneys and others 

• Monitor and support legislative efforts and the development of industry guidelines to ban, restrict, or improve conditions for captive animals

• Maintain confidentiality at all times

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Requirements

• Degree in a related field or equivalent experience

• Minimum of two years experience in advocacy or a field involving captive wildlife 

• Thorough knowledge of animal rights issues and client campaigns

• Demonstrated exceptional writing and research skills

• Demonstrated excellent proofreading and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy as well as the ability to communicate effectively

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment

• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines

• Demonstrated support for the client's philosophy and the ability to professionally advocate the client's positions on issues to the public, including media

• Professional appearance and exceptional public-speaking skills 

• Ability and willingness to travel on occasion 

• Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid U.S. driver's license, a minimum of three years of driving experience, and a satisfactory driving record 

• Adherence to a vegan lifestyle

• Commitment to the objectives of the organization 



  

The salary range for this position is $40,000.00 - $69,305.60 annually. The ultimate salary within this range that will be offered to a qualified candidate will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and the cost of living in the area in which the candidate will live and work. 

A list of benefits available to qualified employees is available here.



  

Application Deadline: 

Applications for this position will be accepted until February 21, 2025.

We may fill this job opening before the deadline if we find a qualified candidate.