Water Resources Coordinator

~ Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 51 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. To support our mission, we seek a Water Resources Coordinator to join our staff in Washington, DC.

Position Overview

The Water Resources Coordinator will lead key activities for the Water Protection Network (WPN) and work on water resource related projects and policy advocacy efforts for the National Wildlife Federation. The responsibilities will include building and maintaining the WPN, working with WPN leadership to help implement the Network's priorities, and serving as a key contact for grassroots activities related to Congress and Federal agencies. The Water Resources Coordinator will also support the National Wildlife Federation's National Advocacy Center's "Waters For Wildlife" program and team.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate WPN's leadership (steering committee, and possible future additional committees) and WPN members; coordinate development and help with implementation of campaign plans consistent with the WPN priorities established by the WPN leadership and WPN membership.
• Organize and facilitate Network events, including bi-annual WPN meetings, in-person committee meetings, lobby days, trainings, and workshops. Assist Network members in planning for and arranging meetings with Congress and administration officials.
• Acts as point of contact for the Network and handle communications to the Network. Produce weekly updates to WPN members and obtain member signatures for sign on letters related to WPN policy priorities and projects. Work with NWF/WPN water resources experts to track water resources policy developments for inclusion in weekly updates to WPN members.
• Ensure needs of the Network and Network members are being met; increase the effectiveness of the Network in implementing and achieving its agenda, and bring in new network members.
• Engage in extensive one on one communications with Network members to advance the Network's agenda, understand the ways in which the Network can help assist Member efforts and foster and maintain relationships with Network members.
• Work closely with Network leadership to assist in implementing the Network's agenda and identify new Network policy priorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate with likeminded organizations to promote their engagement with the Network's agenda; and organize trainings and other workshops for members and key constituencies that will further the Network's agenda.
• Maintain the WPN website with up to date information, build a social media presence, and manage the WPN listserv.
• Assist in fundraising and financial management of the Network.
• Support NWF's Waters for Wildlife program, including working to stop or improve high profile water resources projects, advocating for improved water resources policies, and ensuring compliance with existing laws and policies.
• Responsibility for NWF's Waters for Wildlife program include coordinating internal campaign team meetings, attending congressional and administration meetings where appropriate, and developing educational and advocacy materials for activists, agency, and congressional staff.
• Other responsibilities include research on policy and ecological topics on water resources, outreach to NWF's state affiliates and other grassroots partners, writing fact sheets, preparing reports, organizing workshops, lobby days, and conferences, and listserv management; and fundraising, and financial management support to the NWF National Advocacy Center Waters For Wildlife program.
• Track progress toward grant deliverables and assist with grant writing and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, advanced degree preferred.
• At least 3 years' experience in either natural resource policy or campaign management, outreach and coalition building. Experience managing or coordinating campaigns preferred.
• Experience working with coalitions or nonprofit or other significant partnerships.
• Experience planning and implementing grassroots lobby days, campaign events, annual meetings, or other events.
• Ability and desire to manage a multitude of projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational, reasoning, and writing skills.
• Strategic thinker.
• Self-starter.
• Ability and desire to learn about water resources policy, advocacy, and campaign communications.
• Ability and desire to understand, distill, and simplify complex information into compelling materials.
• Basic understanding of the political/legislative process.
• Ability to plan and manage a campaign.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad base of teammates, partners, and coalition groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an integrated and diverse team of professionals.
• Ability to communicate positions and build public awareness.
• Demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment.
• There will be travel of up to 20 days a year in this role. 

Compensation: The National Wildlife Federation offers excellent benefits, competitive compensation, and a family-friendly, flexible work environment. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you meet more than 75% of the qualifications of this description, we encourage you to submit an application. A background check will be conducted on the selected candidate.

~ The employee's actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. We aspire to be an inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious and political beliefs. ~