2022
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.
The National Wildlife Federation’s National Advocacy Center is seeking an Intern to join our DC office for a 5-10 week opportunity supporting the Water Team. Over the past four decades, the Federation’s work with water quality policies such as the Clean Water Act has led to much progress in cleaning up rivers, coasts, and streams. Unfortunately, recent attacks on the Clean Water Act, coupled with impacts of climate change, have threatened much of the progress made towards clean water for all. As the Clean Water Act celebrates its 50th anniversary, the National Wildlife Federation’s Water Team remains steadfast in efforts to restore and strengthen clean water protections for waters across the country, from small headwater streams to vast iconic waters like the Great Lakes.
The Water Team uses targeted mobilization, coalition building, communications, on-the-ground field organizing, advocacy, education, and accountability tactics to communicate the importance of clean water and healthy ecosystems, and defend our fundamental clean water safeguards against any federal efforts to weaken clean water protections. The Water Team also leverages opportunities to improve federal water infrastructure investments, pushing for investments that prioritize natural infrastructure and are distributed in a more equitable way to communities that need it most. We advocate for our approach in a bi-partisan fashion through our allies in Congress and through connections with the Administration.
The Water Program Intern will report directly to the Water Resources Policy Specialist and work alongside the rest of the team in Washington, DC, to advance efforts to restore clean water protections leading up to the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The Water Program Intern will provide general support for water team advocacy activities, perform subject-matter research, track congressional activity, expand and update online tools, and produce materials to support our program, assist in overall program management and communication (internal and external).
In this role you will:
An intern with NWF will gain experience in water policy, advocacy, and communication including writing social media content for public audiences and networking with sustainability-minded colleagues and partners. Duties will include:
- Research, write, and edit reports, factsheets, blogs, newsletters, presentations and memos on a variety of water topics, including: clean water policy, water infrastructure and equity, ecosystem restoration, and natural infrastructure.
- Provide general support for water team advocacy activities to help ensure tactics are completed which will include drafting content and assisting with events for policymaker, internal, media, and external partner audiences regarding policy, scientific, or other issue area developments.
- Increase the team’s social media presence through creation of original, relevant social media and online content to inform and engage the Federation’s more than six million advocates on water topics.
- Monitor congressional hearings and briefings and track federal legislation.
- Assist with field fly-ins, lobby days, and roundtables as needed.
- Perform administrative duties and help with program coordination as needed, including taking and distributing minutes and other materials.
- Interface with coalition partner groups, including the Clean Water for All Coalition.
Qualifications:
- Must be organized and self-motivated
- Must have good verbal and written communication skills
- Social media experience
- Experience in or demonstrated commitment to environmental advocacy and community outreach and engagement in particular is desirable
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
If you are interested, please submit both a cover letter and resume to Glenn Watkins ([email protected])
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