Louisiana Outreach Fellow

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has grown into America’s largest conservation organization with 51 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters nationwide.  The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world, and the Federation is committed to inspiring all people around our shared love of nature and wildlife by creating a welcoming and inclusive community representative of all Americans. 

The National Wildlife Federation played an instrumental role in securing passage of historic infrastructure and climate spending legislation through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Now, we are using our reach and bipartisan credibility to advance responsible buildout of projects for carbon capture, use, transport, storage, and removal (especially direct air capture), and clean energy generation and transmission. We provide a much-needed public education role on complex new technologies in key states, while advancing conservation and equity principles and practices with growing industries to ensure smooth project deployment.

True community engagement is essential to successful, equitable, and wildlife-responsible implementation of the clean energy innovation investments in BIL and IRA, particularly as some investments are in relatively new or unknown technologies that can be distrusted by the public. We approach this work holistically, within an energy transition frame, and aim to build awareness via science-based education in the communities we work in and with. We work to help communities – particularly in highly industrialized areas, like the Gulf and Appalachia – be heard, especially with industry and federal decision-makers, while drawing connections to the climate and economic benefits of hard-won government investments.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Louisiana Outreach Fellow to join our team in New Orleans and in South Louisiana to help conduct public education about climate and energy technology, especially carbon management as it pertains to carbon capture utilization and storage, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide removal.

This is a great opportunity to work with communities, scientists, policy makers and a network of environmental NGOs to help Louisiana’s people, wildlife and economy adapt and thrive in face of climate change.

NWF Fellows must be available to work a 40-hour weekly schedule. This 6-month position offers $20.00 per hour plus core benefits. Anticipated start in early March and running through August 30th 2024.

In this role you will:

• Attend public meetings and other gatherings related to carbon management and hydrogen projects in Louisiana, take notes and report back to Gulf and Climate teams
• Research and stay up to date on carbon management and hydrogen project development, political movement and public opinion in Louisiana
• Assist in developing relationships with relevant and strategic partners and stakeholders working in related fields and on these issues
• Use science-based information to engage stakeholders and the general public on proposed carbon management and hydron projects and related climate solutions, fostering space for a constructive dialog
• Create content and educational materials
• Plan and execute outreach meetings, events and field trips as needed, conducting follow up as necessary
• Assist NWF’s Gulf Outreach Manager on other projects as requested

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and to work well in a collaborative environment
• Effective written and oral communication skills, comfort with public speaking preferred
• Experience in organizing successful meetings and events
• Experience and knowledge of Louisiana’s energy, industry and coastal issues
• Experience with the Microsoft Suite including Outlook, SharePoint, Google Docs, Zoom and Canva

Skills and qualifications desired but not required:

• Familiarity with Louisiana geography and communities
• Good graphic design skills
• Demonstrated competency or proficiency in the application of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice principles

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position may extend beyond traditional desk work, involving but not limited to event/meeting set up, tabling, and physical activities associated with on-site event management and field tours. The position requires mobility, including walking to field sites, getting in and out of boats, walking with wagons loaded with promotional materials and giveaways to festival sites, moving boxes of materials in and out of cars, and arranging tables and chairs for events. This may involve lifting and transporting items weighing up to several pounds.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

NWF Values:

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

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Location and Work Mode:

This position is based out of our South Central Region based in New Orleans, LA. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office or in a hybrid manner to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers. 

COVID Consideration:

The National Wildlife Federation closely follows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease and has implemented processes that promote the safety of our employees, candidates, and communities.

Application:

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

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules.  Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org  or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

Salary : $20