Since 2009, the Choose Clean Water Coalition has harnessed the collective power of more than 290 organizations to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. By coordinating policy, messaging, action, and accountability, the Coalition speaks louder with one voice toward our collective goal—clean water. The Coalition is also a leader on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles within the Chesapeake community; ensuring our members, partners, funders, and broader stakeholders are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice so that everyone can realize and enjoy a healthy and prosperous community.

In an effort to continue to grow and mobilize a more inclusive clean water movement, the Coalition is seeking an Equity and Outreach Specialist. This position will work with the Coalition Director to advance the goals of our strategic plan, ensuring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles are embedded and strengthened in the structures, policy development and analysis, programs and advocacy campaigns of the Coalition. The Equity and Outreach Specialist will be responsible for leading efforts to expand Coalitions partnerships, managing our mentorship/professional development program, and building and maintaining relationships with state and federal agency staff, elected officials, community and nonprofit organizations, funders and other stakeholders as appropriate.

The National Wildlife Federation serves as co-chair of the Choose Clean Water Coalition Steering Committee and provides fiscal and staffing support. The Equity and Outreach Specialist reports to the Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition and is a member of the National Wildlife Federation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center team which is based in Annapolis, MD.

Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):

  • Leads efforts to measure and track the Coalition’s goals to advance equitable policies and grow a more inclusive movement.
  • Facilitates the Coalition’s Equity Workgroup. Leads monthly calls and oversees the Coalition’s Environmental Justice policy priorities.
  • Runs the Coalition’s regional initiatives to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) including:
    • Incorporating DEIJ into the Coalition’s structures, policy development and analysis, and advocacy campaigns
    • Oversees the implementation of and updates to the DEIJ Action Guide.
    • Promotes and leads trainings to increase DEIJ competencies among Coalition members.
    • Works with the Coalition’s communications team to create communications resources to reach new audiences and marginalized voices.
  • Guides the Young Professionals of Color (YPC) Program, a professional development program that works to retain a diverse network of professionals in the Chesapeake Bay region.
  • Drives the Coalition’s efforts to increase equitable grantmaking with funders. Works collaboratively with key stakeholders and funders to address regional Environmental Justice issues.
  • Leads the Coalition’s efforts to expand partnerships with diverse and underserved communities. This includes:
  • With Coalition staff, helps to ensure successful planning, coordination, and execution of the Coalition’s annual Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill and the Annual Conference.
  • Collaborates on the development and submission of grant proposals and reports, as needed.

Minimum Experience:
Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in environmental justice policy/grassroots advocacy, program planning and implementation, and establishing and cultivating partnerships.

Minimum Skills:

In addition, candidates should have proven or demonstrated:

  • Strong grasp of environmental justice issues.
  • Experience with outreach and cultivation to new partners and/or organizations.
  • Ability to work effectively with a broad base of coalition groups and people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Experience managing contractors and consultants for a variety of work products.
  • Ability to plan, coordinate, and facilitate meetings and convenings of partners.
  • Organizing, outreach, and/or policy experience.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
  • Capacity to strategically conceive and execute programs with clear objectives, benchmarks, and deliverables.
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including strong copy-editing skills.

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.
  • Actively seeking feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeping 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

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Physical Requirements:

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:

5-10 days per month throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia)

Location and Work Mode: 

The location of this position is based out of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center office in Annapolis, MD. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office or in a hybrid manner 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 $62,000 – $68,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

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.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates must 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.
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.