Senior Advocate for Quiet Seas

Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of more than 3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws; our marine mammal cases and campaigns have played a major role in shaping current policy on whale and dolphin conservation in the United States and internationally. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

 

NRDC is seeking a Senior Advocate to work with our Marine Mammal team within the Oceans Division.

 

Position Summary

 

NRDC is seeking an experienced advocate for a position in our Marine Mammal Protection Project. This position, the Ken Balcomb Senior Advocate for Quiet Seas, will help lead our work to protect marine wildlife from ocean noise pollution, including our ongoing campaign to reduce noise from large commercial ships. As ocean noise is co-extensive with human industrialization of the sea, the advocate is also likely to work on other, related marine mammal issues such as vessel strikes, offshore energy development, and ocean defense. The work includes international advocacy, lobbying at various levels of government, advancing science-based policy, and building cross-sector coalitions. Success is about developing strong strategic goals, identifying opportunity, and achieving progress over time through smart, persistent advocacy.

 

The successful applicant will join NRDC’s Marine Mammal Protection Project, a team of lawyers and scientists that fights to save marine mammals and their habitat from ocean noise, bycatch, harmful development, and other threats.

 

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes high-impact campaigns to prevent and reduce underwater noise pollution, including an international campaign aimed at controlling noise from commercial shipping;
• Works as needed on related issues, including vessel strikes, offshore energy development, and defense of our ocean wildlife protection laws.
• Represents NRDC on legislative and regulatory issues related to ocean noise and related issues at the federal, state and local level, including communication with elected officials and their staffs and drafting of legislative and regulatory proposals;
• Builds alliances and maintains relationships across various maritime sectors, including with industry, ports, technical experts, and regulators;
• Develops science-based policy on quieting commercial ships, including by engaging with naval architects, economists, acousticians, and other experts in the preparation of technical papers on ocean noise solutions;
• Helps lead coalitions of environmental organizations to lobby for national and international ocean noise control;
• Speaks publicly on ocean noise pollution and marine mammal protection in a wide range of public contexts, including in traditional and social media and at public events;
• Participates in related legal cases brought by NRDC; and
• Contributes to Marine Mammal project fundraising by assisting in proposals and engaging in regular, consistent outreach to foundations and major donors.

Qualifications

• Experience of 7+ years in environmental advocacy or in a field closely related to the position, with demonstrated leadership, creativity, and accomplishment;
• An advanced degree in a field relevant to the position, such as law, engineering, ocean science, or public policy preferred;
• Experience working with government agencies, with Congress, and with intergovernmental organizations;
• Ability to lead complex coalitions with diverse national and international membership;
• Ability to manage and prioritize an independent workload while also working as a member of a team;
• Exceptional research, writing, communication (in both traditional and social media), listening, and analytical skills;
• Ability to understand and explain scientific material to non-specialists;
• Courtesy and diplomacy in dealing with colleagues, governments, corporations, and the public; and
• Strong grant-writing and reporting skills and an ability to communicate effectively and in a timely way with donors.

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in