Environmental and Climate Justice Policy Specialist

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 53 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, etc. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world.  The organization's programs focus on conserving wildlife, restoring habitat and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change. 

The Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization Program is committed to unraveling systems of oppression to achieve healthy, sustainable, and just communities by addressing environmental injustices that have overburdened lower wealth, communities of color, and Indigenous people by using our resources, cultivating strong partnerships, and prioritizing on-the-ground solutions that communities find value in. To support our growing environmental and climate justice portfolio, we seek to hire an Environmental and Climate Justice Policy Specialist to join our team in Washington, D.C.  (Due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions).  The Environmental and Climate Justice Policy Specialist will be instrumental in building our legislative capacity to address equity and justice in local, state, and federal policies and programs. This versatile individual will apply an environmental and climate justice lens on public policy, while leading inclusive practices to ensure stakeholders have a seat at the table when crafting policies that will impact their communities. 

In this role you will: 

• Engage Stakeholders in Policymaking:  Analyze proposed bills and synthesize information in a digestible format to facilitate communications and policy stances among NWF and frontline communities. Engage community leaders in an iterative way, to provide up-to-date information to frontline communities and to get feedback on legislative and policy proposals from community-based partners. Create opportunities for environmental justice leaders and organizations to have a seat at the table as policies are shaped and moved forward, recognizing the principle that “Environmental Justice demands the right to participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making, including needs assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement, and evaluation.” Periodically draft written content, including presentations, blogs and policy memos or briefs. Organize convenings and facilitate meetings with stakeholders when applicable. Create mechanisms for accountability to frontline community partners.
• Apply an Environmental and Climate Justice Lens on Public Policy:  Investigate and remain up to date on environmental and climate-related legislation, with a particular focus on issues of environmental and climate justice. Evaluate and draft proposed legislation to support policy-making that elevates environmental and social justice in related bills. Develop and maintain a database on legislation and proposed policy changes.
• Collaborate with Colleagues to Advance Legislative Priorities : Serve as a permanent member of the lobby team and work closely with the government affairs team to increase partnership and collaboration with members of Congress and government agencies to advance environmental and climate justice priorities. Identify opportunities to advance equity and justice on water, agriculture, public lands, wildlife, and forestry-related campaigns.
• Build Relationships and Educate Policymakers : Actively build relationships with staff on Capitol Hill and government agencies to elevate environmental and climate justice related priorities. Prepare and present public comments and testimony to educate policymakers. Support the Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization and the Associate Vice President by providing preliminary research and policy analysis on local, state, and/or federal policies when needed.

Minimum Experience:

• Master of Public Administration, Public Policy, Juris Doctorate, or related degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in local, state, and/or federal policy-making.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Legal background is a plus, but not required.

Required Competencies:

• Environmental justice subject-matter expertise through educational or lived experience
• Committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development, and partner engagement
• Motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized
• Dedicated to deepening understanding of cultural and systemic racism and the intersectionality of multiple forms of social inequality
• Demonstrates awareness of positional power and privilege (both personally and professionally) and its attendant impacts
• Consistently brings a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions
• Acknowledges when mistakes are made and harm is done; works to repair breaches in relationships
• Openly holds space, and invites others into conversations during sensitive engagements, exhibiting a responsible and respectful demeanor with colleagues and partners
• Excellent communication (e.g., written, verbal) skills and welcoming of constructive feedback
• Ability to translate complex legislation and policies to a wide array of stakeholders
• Demonstrates awareness of the attributes associated with a white dominant culture and takes actions to dismantle hierarchies of oppression within that culture
• Dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work
• Commitment to growth and professional development
• Must be a strategic thinker, self-starter, well organized, and relationship builder
• Must have a passion for and commitment to NWF’s mission

Travel:

There may be travel required when offices reopen—approximately 3-4 times per year.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The salary range for this position is currently $55,000 - $60,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

The National Wildlife Federation values work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere.  Our paid time-off includes 3 weeks of vacation leave, open wellbeing leave, 10 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, a week-long winter break, and additional leave options, per year.  In addition, our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, AD&D, short and long-term disability, 16 weeks of paid FMLA leave, 403b retirement plan with employer matching and annual contribution, adoption benefits, and flexible work options including telecommuting, non-traditional work hours, and compressed work weeks.  Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

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. 

If you have a disability and require an accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help by calling us at 703-438-6244.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply.  Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translates directly to our openings.  Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

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

Information

• Location: Washington, United States

Industry experience

Education: Masters

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Years of experience: 5 to 10 years

Taxonomy

• Policy
• Environmental Policy
• Policy