Advocate

About the role

NRDC is seeking an Advocate to work with the Pollinators & Pesticides Team. This is a limited‑term, 2‑year position represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild‑CWA Local 32035). The Advocate will help develop and execute state‑level model laws, advocate before Congress and federal agencies, conduct litigation, and use new media to educate the public about pollinator‑harming pesticides.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior staff to develop and execute strategies for nation‑leading state campaign work to pass vanguard model laws that safeguard pollinators, people, and the environment.
• Advocate before Congress, federal agencies, and other key decisionmakers to secure nationwide protections against harmful pesticide use.
• Conduct national communications work.
• Meet regularly with policymakers, agency staff, and decisionmakers at state and federal levels to influence policy outcomes and cultivate champions for pollinator protection, clean water, and human health.
• Build and maintain relationships with diverse partner organizations, coalitions, and stakeholders to mobilize collective power for curbs on pollinator‑ and community‑harming pesticide uses.
• Speak in public forums, including testifying at legislative committee hearings and engaging with media outlets.
• Develop deep scientific and regulatory expertise and apply it creatively in factsheets, reports, petitions, technical or legal comments, blogs, op‑eds, and issue narratives.
• Develop innovative solutions and tactics to address emerging problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; a relevant graduate degree preferred.
• 2‑4 years of relevant experience in one or more of: advocacy/organizing/political experience (e.g., lobbying, campaign, coalition‑building; work with federal, state, or local officials); policy/administrative/technical experience (e.g., policy development, work with federal or state agency, or relevant subject‑matter expertise); or legal experience (e.g., legal research, case‑building).

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental and/or public‑interest issues.
• Desire to be part of a close‑knit team while independently carrying out core job functions.
• Creativity and curiosity; willingness to learn and listen to others’ perspectives.
• Desire to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and strong coalitions.
• Desire to gain deep expertise on technical or legal issues related to pollinator loss and pesticide pollution and to communicate that expertise simply, persuasively, and with rigorous dedication to accuracy.
• Comfort with public speaking and representing NRDC before decisionmakers and large audiences.
• Ability to travel as needed to support advocacy and campaign work.
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.

Benefits

• Generous time‑off policy, including a company‑wide year‑end Rest & Recharge Week.
• Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements.
• Matching 403(b) contribution whether you contribute or not