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Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The Federation's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, our Agricultural Outreach team seeks an Agriculture Outreach Specialist to join our team. Location is preferred for Ann Arbor, MI, New Orleans, LA, Denver, CO or Atlanta, GA. Remote location may be possible (due to COVID-19 all NWF employees are working remotely until further notice).

The Agriculture Outreach Specialist will assist in several aspects of our agriculture outreach programs as well as providing expertise in row crop systems and agricultural sciences for our broader agriculture team. You will be joining a team of outreach specialists that will provide training for this position in the latest social science training methods. Once trained in the training approach and curriculum, you will deliver workshops and education to NWF's Conservation Champions and to conservation outreach professionals who conduct outreach to farmers through our Grow More program. This includes conducting communication and messaging trainings in various regions and agricultural systems, and providing on-going support, education, and group facilitation.

You will also assist the team in other tasks related to the outreach program including: fundraising and grant writing; developing stakeholder engagement strategies, including farmers, landowners, retailers, and other farm advisors; developing outreach support materials; and other assigned projects. This work will include assisting the organization in developing improved agronomic knowledge and incorporating the best available crop research into our outreach and messaging that aims to advance sustainable agriculture across the country. More information about our programs can be found at https://growingoutreach.nwf.org/

In this role you will:

• Travel to deliver Grow More trainings to conservation outreach professionals
• Guide Grow More participants and NWF Conservation Champions by educating on improved outreach and behavior change strategies to increase sustainable agriculture practices
• Develop content for messaging trainings for new agricultural audiences and challenges
• Advise NWF agriculture staff and other NWF staff on issues related to agronomy, soil health, crop insurance and other on-farm experiences
• Attend conferences and events to network and elevate profile of agriculture outreach programs
• Communicate and build relationships with farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders across the country to stay up to date with challenges and opportunities
• Assist in strategic planning of new programmatic objectives and opportunities to increase our program breadth
• Write grants and pursue fundraising opportunities for the outreach programs

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in agriculture, outreach/education, and/or program implementation in a work or research related environment (this is not an entry level position)
• Knowledge/experience in working with, or conducting outreach to, agriculture producers and other stakeholders required
• Direct farming experience preferred (large scale corn, soybean, cotton or rice systems is desirable)
• Experience working with tenant farmer/ landowner relationships desirable
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to translate complex information into easily understood information
• Ability to process and utilize social science research and concepts to inform and develop practical, effective programming to advance culture change in the space of agriculture
• Demonstrates awareness of group identities and consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to interactions
• Interpersonal communication skills; proactively builds and sustains robust, authentic, productive working relationships with colleagues and community partners across race and other group identities
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work
• Self-starter, ability to work independently within a team context

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Travel Requirements:

There will be significant travel in this role, approx. 8-12 trips per year, predominantly within the Mississippi River Basin, Great Lakes, and/or Washington, DC.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary is commensurate with experience, in the range of $53,000-$60,000.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits in 2021! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

COVID Consideration:

The National Wildlife Federation closely follows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease and has implemented processes that promote the safety of our employees, candidates, and communities. Because the health of our employees and candidates is a top priority, we conduct our hiring process virtually via phone or video until further notice. We are currently starting our positions as remote, and are continuing to explore what our future of work will be moving forward. Proof of vaccination will be required to join the National Wildlife Federation.

Application:

Application period will be open until June 27th, 2022. Candidates should submit both a cover letter and resume. Applications will not be considered without both a cover letter and a resume.

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.