Water Resources Program Manager

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

The National Wildlife Federation is seeking a Water Resources Program Manager to advance water resources-related projects and policy advocacy efforts for the National Wildlife Federation and provide important leadership and coordination for the Water Protection Network. As the Water Resources Program Manager, you will advance water resources-related projects and policy advocacy efforts for the National Wildlife Federation and lead key activities for the Water Protection Network (www.waterprotectionnetwork.org). This work will amplify and leverage the organization’s project and policy expertise to improve water resources planning and advance nature-based solutions to protect people and wildlife. This role reports to the Legal Director, Water Resources and Coasts.

Responsibilities include conducting relevant research and helping to develop policy positions and advocacy strategies for water resources-related issues nationwide, contributing to the Federation’s work to advance nature-based solutions with a particular focus on the Mississippi River system, and managing and increasing the effectiveness of the Water Protection Network. The Manager will collaborate with national, regional, and local colleagues, NWF affiliates, partner organizations, and federal agencies. Developing and deploying water resources subject-matter expertise and expanding and deepening collaborative relationships with partners will both be central to your role.

Principal Duties (Major Areas of Responsibility):

Advance Water Resources Policy and Project Advocacy

• Support NWF’s Legal Director for Water Resources and NWF's Mississippi River initiatives, including through conducting factual and policy research, with a focus on wetland, floodplain, and river protection and management carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency.
• Support efforts to advance nature-based solutions, protect wildlife habitat, and improve water quality on the ground across the Mississippi River mainstem states.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on issues related to Army Corps of Engineers authorities, policies, and projects. Advise teammates on opportunities to advance nature-based solutions and improved water resources health through policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with key water resource decision-makers, with a focus on Corps of Engineers and the Mississippi River basin. Engagement with Congress is also expected.
• Prepare reports and other written products and help disseminate key findings to professional and general audiences.
• Represent NWF in relevant internal and partner coalition meetings and conversations.

Lead and Coordinate the Water Protection Network

• Spearhead NWF’s effort to increase the effectiveness of the Water Protection Network (WPN) and strategically bring in new members.
• Coordinate WPN's leadership and WPN members; help develop and implement campaign plans consistent with the WPN priorities established by the WPN leadership and membership.
• Act as point of contact for the WPN and handle communications to the Network. Maintain the WPN website with up-to-date information and manages the WPN listserv.
• Organize and facilitate WPN events, including potential WPN virtual and in-person meetings, webinars, trainings, and workshops.
• Assist in fundraising for the WPN.

Provide Team Support for the Water & Coasts Program

• Collaborate with teammates to support NWF’s broader organizational efforts to advance protections for clean water and wetlands, as requested.
• Provide organizational and administrative support to NWF’s Water & Coasts team, including organizing meetings and events, advancing the Water & Coasts team’s environmental justice plan, tracking progress towards grant deliverables, and assisting with grant writing and reporting.

Qualifications:

• At least five years' experience in either natural resource policy or campaign management, outreach and coalition building.
• Degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science or Policy, or related field; post-graduate degree and/or relevant work experience desirable.
• Familiarity with federal agency processes, programs, and policies related to environmental protection and restoration, with familiarity with the Army Corps of Engineers preferred.
• Experience with policy research and analysis.
• Capacity to strategically conceive and manage campaigns with clear objectives, benchmarks, and deliverables in accordance with deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including attention to detail and the ability to distill complex technical information into messaging that is accessible to the public and decisionmakers.
• Experience in leadership positions with coalitions or NGO partnerships strongly preferred.
• High degree of initiative, ability to be a self-starter, and ability to accomplish projects with little supervision.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with an ability to identify and solve complex issues.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills with the ability to find common ground and develop collaborative, productive, respectful relationships with diverse interests, including decision-makers, environmental justice and indigenous communities, and conservation organizations.
• Proficiency in using various tech tools, such as Excel, Mailchimp, Word Press, HubSpot, Microsoft Suites, and Airtable.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an integrated and diverse team of professionals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to and/or experience working on equity and justice related issues.

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

Physical Requirements of the Job:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Travel Requirements:

This position requires the ability to travel approximately 3 to 5 times per year.

Location and Work Mode:

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This position is a member of the National Advocacy Center which has a physical office in Washington DC. The location of this position is flexible and may be fully remote, with a preference for proximity to Washington DC, or one of the following Mississippi River mainstem states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. In this position, the employee may work in an existing NWF office, in a hybrid manner, or completely remotely, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $72,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! 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), and 10 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.

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. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

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.