Program Assistant, HECHO

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.

From southwestern deserts to northern forestland, Hispanics throughout America have strong connections to our nation's public lands and waters. Founded in 2013, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) has worked diligently to safeguard these lands and watersheds so that future generations can enjoy fishing, hiking, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities for generations to come.

As a fiscally-sponsored partner and program with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) since 2017, HECHO plays a key role in both uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife and people thrive in our rapidly changing world and uniting and mobilizing Hispanic leaders to engage their communities in the conservation of our public lands and waters. Through our engagement of Hispanic local and elected leaders from Southwestern states and elevating their perspectives at the national level, we are an effective conduit for connecting local voices to federal conservation policy decision-making opportunities. While our focus is on the protection of public lands and waters in the American Southwest, our work has a national scope and impact. 

About the Position:

The HECHO team is seeking an experienced Program Assistant who will be responsible for providing organizational, program, and logistical support to the HECHO Executive Director and for ensuring effective internal communications and systems. The Program Assistant will track program results and deliverables, plan events and provide logistics, and be called on to support grant reporting and writing. This full-time position will serve as a key partner to the Executive Director assisting her with HECHO’s day-to-day management and program delivery as well as outreach and engagement of HECHO’s Advisory Board.  The Program Assistant will play a key role as a hub and connector, supporting a team culture that is welcoming and accountable to shared goals and results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide support to the Executive Director in managing HECHO’s day-to-day operations including correspondence, scheduling, internal communications, along with special projects, as needed.
• Support Executive Director in managing and engaging HECHO’s Advisory Board and assisting with regular communications/updates, meetings and retreats.
• Maintain and improve systems to track program results, collaboration, and grant deliverables, including using tools like Asana, AirTable, weekly staff digests, and quarterly work plans.
• Ensure consistent, well-run staff meetings by preparing agendas, taking and distributing notes, and capturing and communicating with staff on follow up/action steps on a weekly basis.
• Assist with grant writing and reporting, as needed.
• Organize, coordinate logistics, and carry out tasks to ensure HECHO meetings, calls, conferences, webinars, and other events are effective and well run, including events with the Hispanic Leadership Conservation Council.
• Maintain and enhance staff onboarding and standard operating procedures, including creating a library of key organizational materials and internal HECHO documents/processes.
• Carry out additional duties, as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Proven track record in organizational and project management skills, with a minimum of 2 years of experience supporting operations or programs in a professional setting.
• Must be collaborative and motivated to support and be part of a highly functioning, fast-paced team.
• Ability to manage and execute tasks independently, remotely, and on time.
• Significant experience tracking deliverables and deadlines using computer-based organization systems and processes, such as Asana, AirTable, Dropbox, and Microsoft Office, with the ability to implement or refine organizational systems effectively.
• Substantial experience organizing and coordinating calls, meetings, events, conferences and/or retreats, including managing all aspects of logistics, creating detailed agendas, capturing meeting outcomes, and executing follow-up communications to ensure success.
• Capacity to communicate effectively with both internal and external au