Drinking Water Policy Coordinator

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into 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 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 (NWF)’s Great Lakes Regional Center (GLRC) is a leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes. We are one of the only Great Lakes organizations that combine policy, legal, communications, educational, and scientific expertise to educate decision makers, inform public policy, and conduct public outreach efforts, working multiple communities to lift up shared priorities. We are trusted conveners and collaborators, leveraging the strengths of multiple sectors and organizations to achieve direct results for the Great Lakes. We are centering equity and justice throughout our work and partnerships, and have significantly adjusted our scope of work to incorporate a deeper focus on water affordability and access in addition to environmental justice concerns about drinking water quality.

In the wake of the ongoing lead poisoning, wide-spread contamination from unregulated “forever chemicals” (such as PFAS) and structural inequities in access to clean, affordable water in the Great Lakes region, particularly for communities of color, the GLRC is building and expanding our work to ensure that all communities in the Great Lakes region have access to clean, safe water. As our Drinking Water Policy Coordinator you will coordinate campaigns focused on water infrastructure and affordability, access to clean water for all, and threats to drinking water and wildlife from emerging chemicals of concern (like PFAS). This work will include coordinating closely with the many Coalitions and Networks NWF is involved in to ensure strategic alignment and collaboration on drinking water issues at the state and federal levels. You will report to the Associate Director of the GLRC and work closely with the Great Lakes Policy Director and the Regional Executive Director to develop and advocate for strong policies and practices to ensure safe, clean drinking water within the region and to provide strategic support on high priority drinking water policy needs for the GLRC.

Your major responsibilities include:

• Help develop and coordinate a robust regional campaign advocating for equitable access for all communities to clean, affordable drinking water.
• Grow and coordinate the Chemicals of Emerging Concern campaign, with a specific focus on PFAS.
• Build and expand on robust, authentic relationships with on the ground community members engaged in drinking water and chemicals work.
• Collaborate with other NGOs and coalition efforts focused on clean drinking water.
• Serve as a liaison within NWF and NWF-affiliated networks – including our National Advocacy Center and Clean Water For All, the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, the Great Lakes Business Network and the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition – to leverage NWF’s drinking water policy work.
• Center equity and justice – as well as direct connections to NWF affiliate priorities where possible – to help provide vulnerable communities with the resources and tools needed to eliminate these threats to people and wildlife.
• Work with the communications team to identify, develop, and execute opportunities for promoting our work and advancing campaign objectives.
• Support the NWF GLRC leadership team as needed on high priority water policy issues.

Qualifications:

Candidates should bring a commitment to the mission of the National Wildlife Federation, including the nonpartisan, science-based, equity-centered and collaborative approach of the Federation to achieve its mission and strategic plan outcomes.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience working on environmental or conservation issues and/or with water infrastructure/affordability and/or chemicals of concern
• Ability to assess policy options and scientific data
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• High level of equity and justice competencies
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Ability to handle multiple demands and different priorities
• Demonstrated ability to develop and build relationships that can translate into working in various types of impacted communities
• Ability to be nimble, including shifting time and resources to emerging drinking water crises as they arise
• Familiarity with the current policies and laws governing drinking water issues and/or how they are impacting communities in the region directly

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 seeking 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

Location and Travel Requirements:

Preference for location in Ann Arbor, MI (our home office), Chicago or Detroit. Consideration for outstanding candidates in other locations in MN, WI, IL, IN, OH or MI.

Travel required for decision maker meetings, regional meetings, and for national leadership meetings as appropriate. Approximately 1-3 days per month once travel resumes for NWF.

Frequent local travel to connect with staff working remotely and partner organizations. Approximately 2-5 days per month. 

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 early 2022. Proof of vaccination will be required to join the National Wildlife Federation.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position pays $45,000 – $50,000 (commensurate with experience and skill set).  

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits in 2021! 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), 10 holidays, and 3 floating 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 after January 4, 2022. Candidates should submit both 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. 

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.