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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 science-based 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, NWF is seeking an Outreach Associate for its Gulf Program, a longstanding effort to restore the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, build back coastal land in Louisiana, and promote coastal resilience across the Gulf states for the benefit of people and wildlife. Specifically, we are seeking an outgoing and organized individual to help implement outreach and engagement efforts to build awareness and support of coastal conservation and resilience efforts along the Florida Gulf Coast. The Outreach Associate will represent NWF on highly visible ongoing community projects and develop relationships and engage key stakeholders to support NWF’s Florida coastal restoration and resilience work. This person will serve as a team member on NWF’s Gulf Program, under direction of the Gulf Outreach Manager and working closely with the Gulf Program Manager and Director.

The Outreach Associate will be based in coastal Florida, ideally in the Tampa Bay Region, working remotely as part of the Gulf team. This is a great opportunity to work with diverse stakeholders to implement ongoing and new projects along Florida’s Gulf Coast. This is a full-time, one-year (temporary) position with potential for renewal.

Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):

• Working closely with NWF’s Gulf Program Director, Outreach Manager, Program Manager, and Wildlife Policy Specialist, serve as key staff for implementation of ongoing NWF outreach projects along the Florida Gulf Coast, particularly in the Pensacola, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota areas. Specifically, the Outreach Associate will work the NWF Gulf team and partners to: Implement an NWF-led Panhandle manatee and seagrass awareness project; implement NWF’s Tampa Bay “Innovative Community Engagement Methods” climate change outreach project; implement NWF’s Sarasota manatee habitat restoration and community education project; and work with Gulf Program Manager to implement Gulf Coast model lighting ordinance outreach and education for sea turtles.
• Plan and implement new coastal resilience outreach projects in coordination with Gulf Program staff and consistent with other NWF programs advancing coastal resilience across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
• Assist with Gulf Program events, meetings, and projects as needed
• Organize and lead learning opportunities including presentations, tabling, field trips, workshops, community events and one-on-one meetings with local leaders and community organizations
• Attend public meetings regarding restoration priorities, work with NWF’s Gulf Program team to give public comment when appropriate
• Communicate outreach efforts via blogs, social media, and earned media with support from the Gulf Program’s Senior Communications Manager
• Track outreach outputs and outcomes and report regularly to the Gulf Outreach Manager and Program Manager
• Assist with drafting grant proposals, tracking grant deliverables, and grant reporting

Minimum Experience

• Either a degree in natural resources, political science, environmental studies, social science or related field OR four years of additional relevant experience as listed below
• Two years of successful job experience in an outreach role
• Demonstrated success engaging residents and community leaders in advocacy efforts
• Experience and knowledge of Gulf Coast conservation issues, with an emphasis on Florida

Minimum Skills:

• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team player
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop trusting relationships with diverse constituencies and communities
• Ability to successfully plan, organize and execute outreach events and other engagement tactics
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to work strategically in a fast-paced environment with many partners
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Facility with all aspects of Microsoft Office, Outlook, Zoom, and Google Docs

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 seeking feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeping 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.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience.

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:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and 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.