Advocate

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.

About the role

NRDC is seeking an Advocate to work with NRDC’s Pollinators & Pesticides Team. As the biodiversity crisis has worsened in the last two decades, pollinator populations have dramatically declined, threatening food security and the viability of whole ecosystems. NRDC works to eliminate wasteful use of the pollinator-killing pesticides that not only drive these losses, but also contaminate water, devastate ecosystems, and threaten human health on a vast scale.

The Advocate would work as a member of the Pollinator & Pesticides Team to advance its all-of-the-above strategy to protect pollinators, our health, and our planet from dangerous pesticide use. This includes a focus on big-tent state campaigns to pass leading model laws; advocacy before Congress and federal agencies making decisions with nationwide impact; cutting-edge litigation to hold decisionmakers and polluters to account; and working in the new media landscape to educate the public and elevate the profile of pollinator-harming pesticides. This is a limited term 2-year position. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior staff to develop and execute strategies supporting:
  • Nation-leading state campaign work to pass vanguard model laws that safeguard pollinators, people, and the environment;
  • Advocacy before Congress, federal agencies, and other key decisionmakers to secure nationwide protections against harmful pesticide use;
  • National communications work.
• Meet regularly with policy makers, agency staff, and other decisionmakers at the state and federal level to influence policy outcomes and cultivate policy makers to be champions for protecting pollinators, other wildlife, clean water, and human health against harmful pesticides.
• Build and maintain relationships with a diverse set of partner organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders to mobilize collective power in support of curbs on pollinator and community-harming pesticide uses.
• Speak in public forums, including testifying at legislative committee hearings and speaking with media outlets.
• Develop deep scientific and regulatory expertise in issue areas and apply it creatively and persuasively in factsheets, reports, petitions, technical or legal comments, blogs, op-eds, and issue narratives.
• Develop innovative solutions and tactics to solve problems—old and new—as they arise in advocacy work.

The above list demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience: 2-4 years of relevant experience, including one or more of the following:

• Advocacy/organizing/political experience (e.g., lobbying, campaign, or coalition-building experience; work experience with a federal, state, or local official);
• Policy/administrative/technical experience (e.g., policy development, work experience with a federal or state agency, or relevant subject matter expertise);
• Legal experience (e.g., legal research, case-building).

Bachelor’s degree required; a relevant graduate degree preferred.

Skills

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

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently interact and communicate with employees and others.
• Frequently attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers.
• Occasionally attend events and activities in the office or offsite.

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. The noise level is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours may require flexible or extended work, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The role involves handling challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Pay

Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $87,000 to $93,000.

Schedule

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.

Benefits

• Time to Unplug & Recharge: Generous time-off policy, including a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week.
• Family-First: Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements.
• For Your Future: Matching 403b contributions whether you contribute or not.
• Well-being: Premium comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs.