Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is 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 stripes. The Federation's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through 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.
We are seeking a Conservation Science Fellow for a full-time 11-month, paid opportunity to support National Wildlife Federation’s Science Team. This team provides scientific leadership and support on wildlife conservation and policy issues, and supports the organization’s commitment to using the best available science in its work on policy, advocacy, conservation, education, and communications. Additionally, this team serves as NWF’s lead on issues related to climate adaptation and resilience. In this role you will report to the Senior Wildlife Biologist and support NWF’s Chief Scientist.
This position is part of NWF’s fellowship program. NWF Fellows must be available to work a full-time schedule. This 11-month position offers $20.00 per hour plus core benefits, including leave, health and dental insurance, and the ability to contribute to our retirement plan.
Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):
- Serve as point person for NWF’s internal science review process, and regularly review public-facing materials, including reports, social media posts, blogs, advocacy alerts, and fundraising appeals, to ensure scientific accuracy and credibility.
- Provide support to Science Team members in implementing funded projects, including assisting with project coordination, conducting research, and translating findings into written materials and other project deliverables. Current projects include work to facilitate conservation prioritization and planning at a landscape scale, advancing the science and practice of justice-centered conservation, and researching and resourcing urban biodiversity conservation.
- Promote wildlife conservation legislative priorities and advance the conservation of at-risk species by creating science-based advocacy materials.
- Research, write, and edit reports, factsheets, blogs, and other web content on wildlife conservation, conservation biology, climate adaptation, and related topics.
- Support staff engagement with policymakers, including members of Congress and their staff, and helping with legislative fly-ins, outreach, and events if needed.
- Administrative and other duties as assigned, including scheduling and recording minutes for internal and external meetings, front desk duties, and coordinating contracts.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field, with a focus on wildlife biology, conservation biology, botany, or ecology.
- Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to wildlife conservation and climate change issues.
- Demonstrated commitment to environmental justice.
- Broad knowledge of U.S. natural history, including life history and identification of North American wildlife and habitats.
- Ability to communicate scientific or technical material to a wide range of audiences. Original writing and editing samples will be requested.
- Ability and willingness to perform administrative support tasks for a high-performing professional team.
- Ability to work collaboratively with peers (including remotely and in a virtual setting), and to develop positive working relationships.
- Strong work ethic and time management skills.
- Working knowledge of GIS and compiling and organizing data and information for reports
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.
Location and Work Mode:
This position is based out of our National Advocacy Center in Washington, D.C. 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, in a hybrid manner, or fully remote, 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.
Physical Requirements:
Remaining in normal seated or standing, and occasionally stationary (such as on an airplane flight for travel), positions 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 and written word; communicating with others to exchange information; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace, and from one worksite to another. 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.
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 atnwf.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 [email protected] or 703-438-6244.
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.
United States
