Policy Specialist, Resilient Coasts and Floodplains

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.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Policy Specialist to join our Water and Coasts team. In this role you will help guide and implement the team’s federal policy strategies and campaigns, with a focus on resilient coasts and floodplains, including pre-disaster mitigation efforts and post-disaster recovery. Responsibilities will include serving as a NWF policy representative with decision‑makers, partners and in key coalitions; collaborating with and supporting government affairs staff to represent NWF policy positions on Capitol Hill; and conducting policy research and providing support and coordination assistance for Water and Coasts team priorities as needed. You will also contribute to development and maintenance of relationships with partner organizations, conduct Congressional and Administrative tracking, and develop educational and advocacy materials (ex. reports, factsheets, action alerts, blogs, etc). You will be looked to as an NWF expert on national flood insurance and disaster policy, and coastal resilience policy, with an emphasis on issues in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) space. Familiarity with nature‑based solutions policies, projects, and implementation, as well as watershed and coastal restoration efforts, would also be beneficial to the role. At times you may be asked to assist with team coordination activities, including scheduling, note‑taking, and facilitating meetings. You may also be asked to support other Water & Coasts team projects (including clean water campaign priorities) on an as‑needed basis. While primarily focused on federal policy, in this role you will collaborate frequently with staff in other program areas on related issues, and will at times be asked to do state‑specific research and outreach in addition to federal advocacy work. Your major areas of responsibility:

Policy Leadership

• Play a leadership role in NWF’s campaign development and implementation related to resilient coasts and floodplains, including pre‑disaster mitigation efforts and post‑disaster recovery.
• Conduct related policy research and legislative tracking, advise on identification of federal policy priorities, coordinate with partner organizations, and develop relationships within key agencies including Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• This work will require a detailed understanding of legislative and administrative issues related to federal disaster policy including the National Flood Insurance Program and Stafford Act, pre‑disaster mitigation efforts and post‑disaster recovery, and policies and programs impacting coastal communities and wildlife, with an emphasis on advancing natural infrastructure where appropriate and promoting equitable outcomes for communities pre‑and post‑disaster.

Coalition Representation

• Serve as the primary NWF representative in several coalition spaces focused on floodplain/coastal/disaster resilience policy.
• Build relationships with coalition partners, including cross‑sectoral partners in the insurance and reinsurance space.

Government Relations

• Support the government affairs team’s advocacy with Congress, the White House, and federal agencies.
• This includes tracking relevant hearings and rulemakings, identifying and monitoring team priorities in the budget and appropriations process, supporting meetings with congressional and executive offices by identifying targets, supplying talking points, participating in high‑priority meetings, and researching, developing, and updating advocacy materials.
• Federation Cross‑Team Collaboration: Help foster connectivity across relevant teams at the organization, providing federal policy expertise and support as needed to colleagues across programs working in the floodplain/coastal resilience space, as well those focused on wildfire and drought mitigation needs.
• Provide information and support to NWF affiliates on issues in portfolio area. Work proactively with team members to find natural points of intersection across our clean water, wetlands, river management, ecosystem restoration, and marine conservation efforts.

Project‑Specific Efforts

• As requested, lead or contribute to individual projects related to areas of focus, including reports, analyses, interviews, and strategy development.
• Participate in the identification and fulfillment of team grant deliverables on a regular basis.
• Contribute to the development of funding proposals and grant reporting needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Some familiarity with flood/disaster and coastal resilience policy required.
• Experience collaborating across teams to accomplish shared goals, including working with coalitions or NGO partnerships.
• Experience working with or for Congress and/or conducting Congressional outreach.
• Ability to manage a multitude of projects and meet deadlines.
• Fast and detail‑oriented learner.
• Ability to communicate positions clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Self‑Starter – Able to prioritize workflow and anticipate needs with minimal oversight. Comfortable working independently on projects when needed.
• Strategic thinker – Able to see the big picture and develop an adaptive strategy to accomplish a goal, particularly in political contexts.
• Five years or more of work or equivalent experience in related policy, advocacy campaigns, or another relevant field.
• A Master’s or other advanced degree in a relevant field can count towards experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Detailed policy knowledge in the flood/disaster and coastal resilience space, including a strong familiarity with structure and function of existing FEMA and NOAA programs.
• Proven track record of developing and achieving Federal policy reforms, including through Congressional action.
• Experience writing detailed comment letters on technical policy issues.
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, and/or grant reporting.

Physical Requirements: Cognitive & Intellectual Requirements

• Ability to understand, analyze, and apply complex information, policies, and concepts.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem‑solve, and make decisions in situations involving ambiguity or competing priorities.
• Ability to maintain focus and sustained attention and manage multiple tasks or work‑streams.
• Ability to listen, interpret, and respond appropriately in discussions with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders.

Location

Remote candidates will be considered, but there is a preference for candidates located in the DC metro area.

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: About-Us/Careers.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office or remote environment.

Role may involve extended screen time and participation in virtual meetings.

Travel

Between 3-4 overnight trips anticipated annually.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers!

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.

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full‑time schedule, 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), and 11 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
• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

NWF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence.

To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

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