Specialist, Sportsmen Outreach and Policy

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 stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming 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. This is especially true in Louisiana, making them a critical stakeholder group to 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. 

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

Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):

65% – Advocacy, Stakeholder Outreach and Communications. 

• 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 grasstop sportsmen and groups already engaged with Vanishing Paradise.
• Foster relationships with relevant legislators, agency staff, conservation NGOs and other stakeholders as appropriate (commercial and recreational fishing, hunters, tourism, local governments, etc.) 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 as appropriate, develop and implement strategies to advance Mississippi River Delta restoration.
• Coordinate and lead on relevant field trips, community presentations, public meetings, sportsmen shows and other educational events on behalf of the Vanishing Paradise and Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition.
• Engage community members in earned media opportunities including op-eds, letters to the editor, blog posts, social media. 
• Work with program staff to disseminate program messaging to decision-makers, opinion leaders, the news media, NWF constituents, and the general public.
• Work with Gulf communications staff to advance messaging on Mississippi River Delta restoration needs, with a particular emphasis on outdoor media. 
• Ensure consistency of national hunter/angler message with Gulf Program goals. 
• Contribute to social media and online advocacy efforts.
• Draft materials for publication including LTEs and op-eds.
• Work with Communications staff to develop and maintain an outdoor media contact database. 

30% -- Wildlife Policy. 

• In collaboration with the Vanishing Paradise team, and NWF state affiliates as appropriate, advance coastal restoration project and policy priorities, with emphasis on healthy habitat for wildlife and priorities for hunters and anglers; develop and implement strategies to benefit Gulf wildlife; and develop materials to promote those priorities. 
• Provide policy expertise and guidance on coastal issues as they impact wildlife and habitat to the Vanishing Paradise team, the NWF Gulf team and the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition.
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