Sr. Manager, State Water Policy

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.

A sister organization of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the NWF Action Fund is a growing and increasingly critical political organization working to advance key conservation issues through advocacy, elections, and accountability. With a mix of focused grassroots, legislative and political campaigns, the Action Fund fights for solutions to protect, restore, and connect wildlife habitat; transform wildlife conservation; and connect all Americans with wildlife and nature. With a vast network of engaged members, a best-in-class staff, and a bold strategic plan, we can help ensure wildlife and people thrive together.

The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund is hiring a State Water Policy Manager, who will help develop and implement a program to advance state and local policies protecting clean water. The State Water Policy Manager strengthens collaboration across One Federation by identifying and broadly sharing lessons learned and helping develop, co-design, and implement advocacy campaigns that result in state and local policy victories to protect clean water. The position will focus on a few key states and regions to be identified collaboratively with the National Wildlife Federation water team, affiliates, and key partners.

This position reports to the Action Fund Executive Director with a matrixed reporting structure to the NWF Water & Coasts team.

Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):

Strategy Development

• Partner closely with NWF staff, regional coalitions, state affiliates and key state and regional partners to develop and support strategies that elevate the importance of water issues on a local, state and regional level. Connect local efforts to broader national campaigns to ensure alignment and build collective power across all levels of advocacy.

Policy Tracking and Coordination

• Coordinate with NWF staff, regional coalitions, state affiliates and key regional and state partners in monitoring, developing, and, where possible, advancing key state policy priorities that protect waters. Track state level action and policies in a shareable form.

Campaign Support

• Coordinate with and provide support for local, state and regional efforts by affiliates, coalitions, and partners with assistance from NWF staff in campaigns aimed to advance identified state and regional strategies and policy priorities, while advancing long-term civic engagement, leadership development, and community-driven solutions.

Strategic Communications

• Work with the communications teams to assist them in coordinating with state and regional groups to identify messaging and communications strategies and opportunities to elevate a strategic narrative about the importance of water at a local, state, and regional level. Work with online teams to coordinate strategic online action support to state and regional campaigns.

Fundraising

• Support fundraising for the state clean water policy efforts by assisting with grant proposals and reports as well as attending donor meetings, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in issue advocacy and organizing campaigns, including direct experience working with state, regional and/or local coalitions, and collaboratively facilitating coalitions and organizing meetings.
• Experience in grassroots organizing.
• Experience with campaigns or policy issues that focus on protecting clean water.
• Experience working with a national organization with state affiliates or chapters.
• Familiarity with state and local clean water policy.
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate meetings, work directly with diverse state, local, and federal advocates, and navigate political and stakeholder differences.
• Familiarity with communications and digital strategies and tools.
• Familiarity with hunter/angler, agricultural, outdoor recreation, or other similar interests a plus.
• Understanding of political campaigns. Reliable, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Familiarity with the Colorado River Basin re