Early Childhood Policy Fellow

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is among America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 53 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.

The Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) program envisions a world where every young child experiences nature daily. ECHO has been working with communities for years to transform and activate their daily spaces as sources of nearby nature. Through thoughtful landscape design and training early childhood professionals on the benefits of nature play, ECHO employs a nature-based health equity strategy that improves access to the benefits of nature for children and their caregivers that have the greatest barriers to high-quality outdoor spaces. To assure that these benefits may be available to children across the nation, we are seeking an Early Childhood Policy Fellow to investigate and act on high-priority policy opportunities at the state and federal levels.

You will report directly to the ECHO Partnerships Manager and be part of NWF’s ECHO team, based out of the Rocky Mountain Regional Center in Denver, Colorado, but could also be based in NWF’s Washington, D.C. office or any other regional office.  (Due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions, expected to be in September).

This position is part of NWF’s fellowship program. NWF Fellows must be available to work a 40-hour weekly schedule. This 11-month position offers $20.00 per hour plus core benefits. 

In this role you will:

• Gain working knowledge of the effort to incorporate outdoor quality into federal and state policies that influence child care systems across the nation. Connect with early childhood, children & nature, and conservation professionals to build a broader professional network.
• Conduct and update policy scans relevant to early childhood outdoor quality for priority ECHO states.
• Evaluate national policy opportunities, including identifying and investigating federal Administrative and legislative actions. Work with the ECHO team to develop policy recommendations.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of advocacy tactics, in collaboration with national early childhood partners and working with NWF’s National Advocacy Center; this may include drafting content for policymaker, internal, media, and external partner audiences.
• Working with the ECHO Partnerships Manager, lead the creation of a network of state early childhood outdoor quality champions, thereby building a cohort of influencers and advocates across the nation.
• Monitor congressional hearings and briefings and track federal legislation.
• Help the ECHO team produce or update data-driven charts, maps, and graphics for different target audiences.
• Perform administrative duties and help with shared office tasks as needed.

 Qualifications:

• Passion for creating equitable and innovative policies that bring the benefits of nature to young children, families, and a re-imagined child care system.
• Excellent research and analytical abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including ability to clearly synthesize technical information for different audiences.
• Self-starter able to work effectively in both a team-based and independent environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Sense of humor and collegiality.
• Ability to multi-task and handle competing priorities.
• Computer proficiency in MS Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook.

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

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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. 

If you have a disability and require an accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help by calling us at 703-438-6244.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered. If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

www.nwf.org