Specialist, Sportsmen Outreach and Policy

Job Details

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization, with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrives in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programs focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Sportsmen Outreach and Policy Specialist to join our team in South Louisiana to lead our sportsmen education and engagement work around restoring Louisiana’s coast. In Louisiana, NWF is part of a coalition of national and regional partners working on a campaign called Restore the Mississippi Delta (MRD) that aims to protect and restore coastal wetlands and ecosystems for people, wildlife, and the economy. Hunters and anglers have long been advocates and a strong voice for the protection and restoration of our natural resources, making them critical stakeholders in our efforts.

Through strategic relationship development, communication, and outreach efforts, the Sportsmen Outreach and Policy Specialist will engage and organize individual hunters, anglers, sportsmen’s groups, businesses, other conservation organizations, and stakeholders to support restoration of the Mississippi River Delta. This full-time position will work within Vanishing Paradise, part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf program, leading and representing the Vanishing Paradise team. The Specialist will promote NWF’s wildlife and restoration priorities and will represent NWF in meetings and communications with decision-makers, the media, donors, and coalition partners, as well as in public meetings, hearings, and conferences.

This hybrid position will be located in South Louisiana and based out of the New Orleans office. The person in this role will advance the National Wildlife Federation’s values of collaboration, empowerment, inclusivity, mindfulness, and mission-focused work.

Principal Duties

Advocacy, Stakeholder Outreach, and Communications (65%)

• Cultivate new partnerships with grasstop hunters and anglers, successfully engaging them and moving them to action in restoration efforts to meet program goals.
• Develop existing relationships with sportsmen and groups already engaged with Vanishing Paradise.
• Foster relationships with relevant legislators, agency staff, conservation NGOs, and other stakeholders (e.g., commercial and recreational fishing, hunters, tourism, local governments) who would benefit from ecosystem restoration projects and activities.
• In collaboration with the Gulf team, Vanishing Paradise program staff, coalition partners, and NWF state affiliates, develop and implement strategies to advance Mississippi River Delta restoration.
• Coordinate and lead field trips, community presentations, public meetings, sportsmen shows, and other educational events on behalf of Vanishing Paradise and the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition.
• Engage community members in earned media opportunities, including op-eds, letters to the editor, blog posts, and social media.
• Work with program staff to disseminate messaging to decision-makers, opinion leaders, the media, NWF constituents, and the public.
• Work with Gulf communications staff to advance messaging on Mississippi River Delta restoration, particularly in outdoor media.
• Ensure consistency of national hunter/angler messaging with Gulf Program goals.
• Contribute to social media and online advocacy efforts.
• Draft materials for publication, including LTEs and op-eds.
• Collaborate with Communications staff to develop and maintain an outdoor media contact database.

Wildlife Policy (30%)

• Collaborate with the Vanishing Paradise team and NWF state affiliates to advance coastal restoration project and policy priorities, focusing on habitat health for wildlife and priorities for hunters and anglers.
• Provide policy expertise and guidance on coastal issues affecting wildlife and habitats to the Vanishing Paradise team, NWF Gulf team, and the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition.
• Stay informed on relevant emerging policies, regulations, and programs, and provide guidance on their potential impacts.

Fundraising (5%)

• Assist in communicating the Gulf Program’s objectives and accomplishments to prospective and current donors, including grant reports.
• Support the development of funding proposals and cultivation of potential program supporters.

Minimum Experience

• College degree in natural resources, political science, biological sciences, environmental studies, or a related field, or at least four years of equivalent experience in biological science, policy, natural resource management, conservation, or non-profit fields.
• An additional five years of successful experience in the fields mentioned above.
• Demonstrated success engaging with diverse stakeholders in advocacy.
• Proven ability to develop relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Strong background in hunting and/or fishing is essential.
• Familiarity with conservation issues related to coastal Louisiana and Gulf Coast wildlife and ecosystems is preferred, especially as they relate to hunters’ and anglers’ interests.
• Experience in coalition and partnerships is preferred.

Minimum Skills

• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team player.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop trusting relationships with diverse constituencies and communities.
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to work strategically in a fast-paced environment with many partners.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Zoom, and Google Docs.
• Excellent judgment for rapid decision-making and responding to changing conditions and inquiries from decision-makers, opinion leaders, and constituents.
• Strong people skills and ability to develop trusting relationships with various constituencies.

NWF Values

Your actions are expected to reflect the National Wildlife Federation’s values of collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to marginalized communities.
• Demonstrating high levels of empathy and social skills in workplace interactions.
• Commitment to deepening environmental justice approaches in policy, programs, and partnerships.
• Actively seeking feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members.
• Dedication to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation.
• Passion for and commitment to NWF’s mission.

Physical Requirements

• This role involves remaining in a seated or standing position for extended periods, reaching and grasping, keyboard use, spoken communication, visual and auditory acuity, and mobility.
• May involve non-desk activities like event setup, tabling, and field tours, including lifting and transporting items weighing several pounds.

Note: Reasonable accommodation requests will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Travel Requirements

This role involves regular local, statewide, and national travel, with up to 20 trips per year requiring overnight stays. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

Location and Work Mode

This position is based in the South Central Regional Center office in New Orleans, LA. The role allows for in-office or hybrid work, determined in collaboration with the supervisor.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $68,000–$73,000, commensurate with experience. NWF offers flexible scheduling, comprehensive health insurance, paid leave, retirement plans, and additional financial support.

Application

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Statement
NWF is committed to promoting DEIJ in all elements of our work. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and offer accommodations for applicants in the interview process.

Contact for Accommodation Requests:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 703-438-6244