Climate and Energy Equity Fellow

Position Description 

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.

Our Climate and Energy team advances domestic policies at the federal, state, and regional levels that curb greenhouse gas emissions, speed an equitable transition to clean energy and industry, and expand natural and technological carbon removal. NWF seeks to grow bipartisan support for short- and long-term action on climate, working with a range of partners to build diverse coalitions.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Climate and Energy Equity Fellow to work in our National Advocacy Center in Washington, DC (with option for hybrid work). Approximately two-thirds of your time will be spent supporting a Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) in the Mid-Atlantic by performing research on energy justice/energy equity and drafting educational materials for community-based organizations in the region. You will also provide research and advocacy support for projects throughout our climate and energy program portfolio, focused on building team knowledge and efficacy in integrating equity and justice principles and priorities into our work and goals. You will also help the team implement its Environmental Justice Action Plan by tracking activities and facilitating coordination and information sharing.

This position is part of NWF’s fellowship program. NWF Fellows must be available to work a 40-hour weekly schedule. This 11-month position offers $20.00 per hour plus core benefits. 

As the Climate and Energy Equity Fellow, you will report directly to the Senior Program Manager, Climate and Energy Policy, and work alongside the rest of the growing team in Washington, DC and around the country.

In this role you will:

• Research, write, and edit factsheets, blogs, talking points, memos, and issue briefs on energy justice and energy equity for community-based organizations and other audiences (e.g., policymakers, NWF staff and affiliates, industry, and NWF’s online membership).
• Track federal programs that provide funds to disadvantaged communities to increase access to clean energy and related workforce and economic development.
• Help identify state and local policymakers, clean energy businesses, and other key decision-makers in the Mid-Atlantic and other key geographies who are potential partners.
• Help plan and facilitate public events, such as roundtables and webinars, on energy justice/energy equity, and climate change.
• Help facilitate linkages to learning opportunities for worker training, apprenticeships, leadership development, and certifications in the clean energy field for Mid-Atlantic communities.
• Track and help manage implementation of the team’s EJ Action Plan to ensure goals are being met, and make recommendations for additional actions.
• Track and share notes with the team on key federal legislation and regulations pertaining to climate justice and energy equity, and related hearings and briefings.
• Have a love of wildlife, collaboration, and a sense of humor.
• Have interest in being an active participant in the equity journey of a pragmatic national conservation organization that works on both sides of the political aisle.

Qualifications:

• Passion for addressing climate change and energy or environmental injustice in creative and pragmatic ways that allow wildlife and people of all backgrounds to survive and thrive.
• Excellent research and analytical abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including the ability to clearly synthesize scientific or technical information for a variety of audiences.
• Self-starter able to work effectively in both a team-based and independent environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and handle competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with diverse interests, including environmental justice and Tribal representatives, labor, business, and conservation groups.
• A demonstrated and documented interest and experience in climate or environmental/energy justice research, policy and/or advocacy. This can include a BA/BS degree in environmental justice, public policy, sustainability, public health, sociology, or a related field, or at least 1-2 years of relevant professional or volunteer experience.
• Computer proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.

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 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. 

Physical Requirements: 

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; 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. 

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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.