Senior Wildlife Policy Specialist

Founded in 1936 the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is Americas 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 Federations mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through sciencebased 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 a Wildlife Policy Specialist to support 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 the Gulfs people and wildlife. The Wildlife Policy Specialist will be responsible for analyzing and communicating the impacts of various projects programs and policies on wildlife in the Gulf region using best available science. The Wildlife Policy Specialist will identify opportunities to maximize benefits to Gulf wildlife through federal state and local programs and decisionmaking venues while maintaining consistency with other NWF priorities. The Wildlife Policy Specialist will report to the Gulf Programs Senior Manager for Science Policy and will work with the programs Director and team members (including staff engaged in the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition) NWFs Offshore Wind Energy Team NWFs Gulf state affiliate organizations NGO coalitions and other stakeholders to advocate for sound ecological restoration projects and programs.

The Wildlife Policy Specialist will promote NWFs wildlife coastal resilience and restoration priorities and will represent NWF in meetings and communications with decisionmakers the media donors and coalition partners as well as in public meetings hearings and conferences. The person in this position will advance the National Wildlife Federations values of collaboration empowerment inclusivity mindfulness and missionfocused work.

This position is located in the Tampa Bay area.

Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):

• Coastal Resilience and Outreach. Identify highpriority restoration needs and effective ecosystemscale restoration opportunities for the Gulf. Cultivate partnerships with conservation NGOs and other stakeholders as appropriate (commercial and recreational fishing tourism local governments etc. who would benefit from ecosystem restoration projects and activities. Serve as a leader for outreach and engagement in the Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan process.
• Wildlife Science and Policy. Identify key issues related to the health of Gulf wildlife with emphasis on: species or populations especially dependent on healthy Gulf ecosystems; threatened endangered or imperiled wildlife populations; keystone species; and iconic species that help raise public awareness for NWF priorities. In collaboration with the Senior Manager for Science Policy program staff and NWF state affiliates as appropriate identify priority wildlife issues to pursue; develop and implement strategies to benefit Gulf wildlife; and develop materials to promote those priorities. Provide wildlife expertise and advice to the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition NWFs offshore wind team and to other campaigns and coalitions as strategic.
• Technical Information Gathering and Dissemination. Monitor current science on Gulf restoration Gulf wildlife and climate change and projections. Gather and interpret scientific and technical information pertinent to the Gulf Program for program staff and other audiences. Integrate science into NWF campaign messaging. Work with the Senior Manager for Science Policy as well as policy outreach and communications staff and NGO partners to develop and disseminate NWF campaign messaging. Assist the Senior Manager for Science Policy in communicating programmatic objectives and achievements to the broader NWF organization regional and national program staff leadership and philanthropy staff and seek out opportunities for collaboration with other NWF programs.
• Advocacy and Communications. Represent NWF at public meetings and other meetings related to NWFs interests provide testimony at relevant public hearings attend and present at conferences and provide interviews to news media on issues related to Gulf wildlife and restoration. Work with program staff to disseminate program messaging to decisionmakers opinion leaders the news media NWF constituents and the general public.
• Fundraising. Assist the Gulf Programs Senior Manager for Science Policy the Gulf Director the Gulf Program Manager and philanthropy staff in communicating the Gulf Programs objectives and accomplishments to prospective and current donors foundations and other institutional funders. Assist in the cultivation of current and potential donors and the drafting of proposals and grant reports.

Qualifications:

• College degree in natural resources marine sciences biological sciences environmental studies or related field
• At least three years of successful job experience in biological science conservation community outreach or nonprofit fields
• Demonstrated success engaging with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with a broad range of constituencies
• Coalition and partnerships experience preferred
• Experience and knowledge of Gulf Coast wildlife and ecosystems
• Selfstarter 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
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to work strategically in a fastpaced environment with many partners
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Facility with all aspects of Microsoft Office Outlook Zoom and Google Docs

Travel Requirements:

There will be significant regional and national travel in this role and up to 15 overnight trips in a year. Candidate must have a valid drivers license and a reliable form of transportation for such travel.

Physical Job Requirements:

• Ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards in home office environment
• Ability to lift and carry parcels packages and other items up to 25 pounds
• Ability to occasionally work in the field walking terrain riding in boats and small planes
• Ability to drive a vehicle and travel via plane

Compensation:

Salary is commensurate with experience in the range of $67000 $73000

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits in 2021! We value worklife balance and a familyfriendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your selfcare 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 ofyear 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 innetwork 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 Federations benefits package at will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume. The National Wildlife Federation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law.

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 or.

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