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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.

The National Wildlife Federation believes that in order to save wildlife and ourselves, we need to ensure that everyone in America has clean water and air, safe communities, easy and equitable access to the daily benefits of nature, and protection from the ravages of climate change. These basic needs, equally necessary and urgent for all people, are foundational to bringing the conservation movement and ethos into the 21st century.

To support our mission, the National Wildlife Federation's National Advocacy Center is seeking a Fellow to join our DC office for an 11-month opportunity supporting the Water and Coastal Policy Team (due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions).

Over the past four decades, the Federation’s work with water quality policies such as the Clean Water Act has led to much progress in cleaning up rivers, coasts, and streams, improving water quality for communities. Unfortunately, recent attacks on the Clean Water Act, coupled with impacts of climate change, have threatened much of the progress made towards clean water for all. As the Clean Water Act celebrates its 50th anniversary, the National Wildlife Federation’s Water Team remains steadfast in efforts to restore and strengthen clean water safeguards for waters across the country and ensure the Act is equitably implemented to protect clean water for all.

National Wildlife Federation also works to protect and restore coastal ecosystems to sustain habitats and to protect people and wildlife from rising sea levels and intensifying coastal storms. We achieve this by accelerating restoration of large-scale coastal ecosystems and estuaries, expanding the use of nature-based coastal features for resilience. We are also steadily expanding our work in the marine policy and conservation space.

The Water and Coastal Policy Team uses targeted research, mobilization, coalition building, communications, on-the-ground field organizing, federal advocacy, education, and accountability tactics to communicate the importance of clean water, resilient coasts, and healthy aquatic ecosystems for people and wildlife, and defend our fundamental clean water safeguards against any federal efforts to weaken clean water protections. The Water and Coastal Policy Team also works on a bipartisan basis to improve federal water infrastructure and resilience investments, pushing for investments that prioritize funding for communities that need it most.

The Water and Coastal Policy Fellow will report directly to the Water Resources Policy Specialist and work alongside the rest of the team in Washington, DC. A primary focus of this position will be to advance efforts to restore clean water protections leading up to the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The Fellow will provide general support for water team advocacy activities, perform subject-matter research, track congressional activity, expand and update online tools, produce materials to support our campaign goals, and assist in overall program management and communication (internal and external). The Fellow will also be asked to assist with research and materials development on coastal and marine policy issues.

This position is part of NWF’s fellowship program. NWF Fellows must be available to work a 40-hour weekly schedule. This 11-month position offers $20.00 per hour plus core benefits.

In this role you will:

In this role, you will gain experience in water and coastal policy, advocacy, and communication including writing content for public audiences, providing policy support, and networking with sustainability-minded colleagues and partners. Duties will include:

• Research, write, and edit reports, factsheets, blogs, newsletters, presentations and memos on a variety of water topics, including: clean water policy, water infrastructure and equity, ecosystem restoration, coastal and marine policy, and natural infrastructure.
• Provide general support for water team advocacy activities to help ensure tactics are completed, which will include drafting content and assisting with events for policymaker, internal, media, and external partner audiences regarding policy, scientific, or other issue area developments.
• Increase the team’s social media presence through creation of original, relevant social media and online content to inform and engage the Federation’s nearly seven million members and activists on water topics.
• Monitor congressional hearings and briefings and track federal legislation.
• Assist with field fly-ins, lobby days, and roundtables as needed.
• Perform administrative duties and help with program coordination as needed, including taking and distributing meeting minutes and other materials.
• Collaborate and interface with other NWF programs and coalition partner groups, including the Clean Water for All Coalition.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Experience working on environmental or conservation issues; familiarity with water infrastructure, clean water policy, and/or coastal and marine policy issues
• Equity and justice competencies
• Must be organized and self-motivated
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Social media experience
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple demands and different priorities

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

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, but will transition to onsite work when our offices re-open, expected to be in 2022. Proof of vaccination will be required as a condition to join the National Wildlife Federation.

Application:

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

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.