Associate Vice President, Environmental Justice

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) 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 NWF'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.

The Environmental Justice, Health and Community Resilience and Revitalization Program is committed to unraveling systems of oppression to achieve healthy, sustainable, and just communities by addressing environmental injustices that have overburdened low-income communities, communities of color, and Indigenous people by using our resources, cultivating strong partnerships, and prioritizing on-the-ground solutions that communities find value in.

To support our ability to connect frontline and fence-line communities with decision-makers on a national and international scale, we seek to hire an Associate Vice President for the Environmental Justice, Health and Community Resilience and Revitalization team. The AVP will serve as an internal leader, and a thought leader to the Vice President, and as a proxy when necessary.

The AVP will play a critical role in shaping the direction and impact of our environmental justice work. This position will work closely with the Vice President and other senior leaders at NWF to develop and implement strategic plans, build partnerships, and oversee programmatic and operational activities. This position will supervise and support all staff in the program. The AVP will also serve as a key representative of our organization in external settings in the absence of the Vice President.

Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):

Strategic Planning & Visioning

• Develop and implement strategic plans to advance our program’s mission and goals.
• Collaborate with the Vice President and other senior leaders at NWF to identify and pursue new opportunities for partnership, programming, and funding.
• Stay up to date on trends and best practices in environmental justice and related fields and apply them to our work.

Leadership

• Provide leadership and guidance to programmatic and operational teams, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and strategies.
• Represent our organization in external settings, such as conferences, media interviews, and policy forums in the absence of the Vice President
• In conjunction with the Vice President, engage with partner organizations, funders, government officials, media contacts, and other diverse stakeholders to build relationships and leverage resources.
• Foster a culture of excellence, equity, inclusion, collaboration, and innovation across the program.
• Lead and consult with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council on a regular basis to ensure the insights and perspectives of council members are integrated into the EJ program and across the Federation.

Program Implementation, Evaluation and Management

• With the Vice President, manage the all staff - current and future, as identified
• Support all staff members, including providing mentorship, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Guide strategy and work planning processes, with assistance from the Program Managers, and lead performance and impact management to ensure that the program meets its measures of success.
• Monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational activities to ensure that they are achieving intended outcomes and contributing to organizational goals.
• In conjunction with the Vice President, ensure that the program funding streams and grant agreements align with its values, theory of change and strategic plan.
• Serve as an integral member of program grants and funding committees and groups, including grant oversight where warranted.
• Other duties, as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, or related field required along with a minimum of 6 years demonstrated leadership and managerial experience leading a team.
• Deep commitment to and experience with environmental and climate justice
• Outstanding administrative and organizational skills, with a successful track record in managing multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities, and keen analytic, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, partnership development, and fundraising for guiding rapid and significant programmatic growth, change and transformation, and investment in people and systems aligned with mission and values.
• Experience managing collaborative, cross-functional teams, with an ability to provide mentorship, feedback, evaluation, and professional development opportunities to inspire team members to innovate and achieve high impact.
• Expertise in developing collaborative, productive, respectful relationships with leaders and organizations representing grassroots, community-based organizations that integrate a culture of feedback and accountability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to identify and address complex issues, focusing on public policy.
• Ability to ensure the team has a deep level of discernment in identifying high impact and strategic action, from the program planning level to the daily decision-making level.
• A servant leader and communicator with a deep commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.
• Excellent conflict-resolution skills with an ability to prioritize, and collaborate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and manage difficult situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Experience with results-based accountability frameworks, like DARCcI, Airtable and/or other tracking and measurement tools
• A clear and present sense of emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills, including strong interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, empathy, grace, compassion, and cultural humility.
• Motivated by and dedicated to advancing the principles of racial justice and equity in addressing climate change and environmental justice effectively.
• Maintains a core ethos of excellence and growth in developing personally and professionally

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

Location and Work Mode:

This position will be based in Washington, DC. 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 fully office based, hybrid, 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.

Travel Requirements:

Frequent travel may be required for the position, up to 12 times annually.

Physical Requirements of the Job:

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 work “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position pays $120,000 to $135,000, commensurate upon experience.

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 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

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 on a rolling basis. Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three (3) references to be considered for the position. The National Wildlife Federation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! 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 a 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.

Originally posted on Himalayas

Apply To this Job