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.

Position Description:

The Policy Director, Texas Coast and Water Program or for the South Central Region's Texas Coast and Water Program is responsible for helping to develop and advance the program's educational initiatives, policy goals, and legal efforts, in collaboration with NWF's policy and legal staff. This position will also work, as needed, with water policy and coastal resilience experts in the National Advocacy Center in Washington, DC, and across the Federation.

The Policy Director, Texas Coast and Water Program will be a vital part of the longstanding NWF-led collaborative, Texas Living Waters, and will work seamlessly with staff at other organizations in the coalition. NWF and Texas Living Waters partner organizations work collaboratively to education on and advocate for equitable, holistic approaches to community resilience in the face of climate change, sustainable and resilient water infrastructure solutions for Texas communities with an emphasis on the most vulnerable among us, and for policies and programs that support healthy river and coastal ecosystems. TLW organizations work together in common and differentiated ways to bring their collective leadership, voice, and capacities to advance action towards shared vision and goals.

The position is located in Austin, Texas and reports to the Director of the Texas Coast and Water Program.

Principal Duties:

The Policy Director, Texas Coast and Water Program primarily works with the Texas Coast and Water Program, and may collaborate, as appropriate, with NWF's federal water team, the Off Shore Wind Program, the Gulf Program, and other regional programs to plan and implement NWF's educational initiatives and policy priorities related to promoting equitable investment in resilient and sustainable water infrastructure investment, flood planning, and coastal resilience.

Additionally, the Policy Director, Texas Coast and Water Program will:

• Represent NWF and advance water-related policy priorities through educational outreach, community engagement, and advocacy in upcoming Texas legislative sessions (e.g., with policy briefings), with an emphasis on relationship building with lawmakers and other officials and their staff, bill analysis and tracking, developing written and oral testimony, and working in coalitions.
• Research, analyze, and communicate (verbal and written) about Texas water policy and coastal policy. This includes historical and long-term inequities in water, flood, disaster recovery and resilience-related policy and programs; regulatory approaches to water planning and management to maintain water quality and to ensure water availability for people and the environment; and water infrastructure investment and using the information to develop NWF's approach to public education and advocacy on equitable policy initiatives, with an emphasis on Texas' most vulnerable communities.
• Educate on and help advance implementation of resilient and equitable water infrastructure solutions, including advocacy for planning, funding, and implementation of programs such as Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Texas Water Fund (SB 28), SRF, Flood Infrastructure Fund and other programs.
• Keep up with emerging and intersecting federal law, policy, and programs and provide internal and external guidance on their potential impacts in Texas.
• Monitor Texas Commission on Environmental Quality actions in implementing Senate Bill 3 (80(R)) environmental flows regulations and work with NWF's contracted advisors to plan and implement strategies related to improved environmental protection in water management decisions.
• Coordinate with NWF's Offshore Wind Program to educate stakeholders on the opportunity of responsibly developed offshore wind and support partner and community engagement in advocacy goals
• Participate in the planning, development and implementation of the new Water Policy and Advocacy Hub in order to build a more inclusive and powerful water policy and advocacy community across Texas.
• Represent NWF and Texas Living Waters in internal and external venues, coalitions, working groups, public events, etc., and present at webinars, conferences, and other events.
• Develop and sustain positive working relationships with personnel working on water issues at state agencies, other conservation organizations, and water managers and other water professionals
• Work with the Texas Coast and Water Program's Senior Communications Manager to develop strategic messaging, draft op-eds and LTEs, and do media outreach and provide interviews to reporters, and related public education.
• Participate in developing grant proposals and reporting program accomplishments to Texas Coast and Water funders and other program administrative tasks as necessary.

Formal Education and/or Special Training Preferred:

Master's degree in Environmental or Public Policy or Law Degree.

Minimum Experience

• Genuine and demonstrated commitment to the conservation legacy and overall mission of the National Wildlife Federation, especially the science-based and collaborative approach of the Federation to achieve its mission and strategic plan outcomes;
• 7+ years of relevant experience;
• Proven ability to communicate complex policy issues in plain language;
• Experience considering the impacts of policies and programs on historically underserved and vulnerable communities;
• Knowledge of issues involving Texas water law and related state agencies, river authorities, water planning, utilities and water providers; and
• Experience reviewing and commenting on regulatory proposals or actions; relevant legal experience is a plus.

Minimum Skills

• Strong analytical, research and strategic thinking skills;
• Attention to deadlines and details;
• Project management;
• Strong writing skills, including technical papers, comment letters, and outward-facing communications such as blogs and op-eds;
• Ability to communicate implications of policy to team members and partners in plain language and under limited time constraints;
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team; and
• Ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunities for partnerships, policy advancements, and action.
• The employee's actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.
• Working knowledge of compliance considerations related to public interest advocacy

Registration Requirements:

Based on some of the job duties, you will be required to register as a lobbyist at least in Texas.

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 requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

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.

Travel Requirements:

A commitment to some travel is required. Estimated 10-15 nights per year, primarily in Texas.

Location and Work Mode:
The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This hybrid position is based at our office in Austin, TX. To be considered for this role, candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance to the Austin office. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page:

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is currently $82,000-$95,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America's best small employers. We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member - including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options - all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation's benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates must 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. If you meet more than 75% of the qualifications of this description, we encourage you to submit an application.

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.