Policy Manager, Mississippi River Water Initiative

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

The Policy Manager, Mississippi River Water Initiative supports policy efforts and government affairs functions to advance Audubon’s mission and bird conservation objectives. Reporting to the Policy Director, Water Conservation the role serve as a part of the Mississippi River team and works in collaboration with other national, regional, and state policy and program staff, as well as external partners. The Policy Manager plays a key role in implementing Audubon’s vision for transformative water policy solutions by helping to mobilize our effective conservation network of Audubon members and supporters and builds relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

Compensation:

$75,000-105,000 / year dependent on zone

• Provide input to the Policy Director, Water Conservation and Program Director, Mississippi River Water Initiative on development of Audubon’s Mississippi River policy agenda.
• Working in close coordination with Audubon’s regional office policy staff, develop and implement strategies to support policy efforts throughout the Mississippi River basin on federal, regional, and state water policy initiatives.
• Support a multi-organizational coalition for federal funding and policy focused on the Mississippi River basin.
• Participate in advocacy and educational activities in Congress, as well as federal and state administrative branches and agencies, to advance conservation objectives.
• Review, analyze, and write comments on environmental documents, proposed regulations, and policies.
• Collaborate with Audubon’s D.C. government affairs and policy teams and Audubon’s relevant lobbyists and consultants on Mississippi River related policy issues and develop strong and effective working relationships with staff across the Audubon network.
• Work with communications and policy staff around communications and digital organizing that supports Audubon’s Mississippi River policy conservation priorities to include writing public policy position documents, fact sheets, articles and blogs, newsletters, and press releases and social media posts.
• As needed, coordinate with Audubon network staff to draft and promote action alerts and engagement opportunities for Audubon chapters and members.
• Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork, equity, and trust.
• Collaborate with Audubon’s development team to identify and cultivate donors and foundations, as appropriate. Support relevant grant writing for reports and proposals, as needed.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in political science, natural resources, or related field and 5 years professional experience in legal, policy or advocacy work. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Experience in water policy, water conservation, and/or wildlife related issues is preferred.
• Familiarity with analyzing environmental documents, guidance, regulations, and legislation.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience working with or managing diverse coalitions.
• Understanding of current policy trends in water related to wildlife management, water resources, navigation, climate change, agriculture, land and water conservation, Indigenous law, with experience applying this knowledge to policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team-based environment.
• Ability to thrive and self-motivate while working in a largely remote environment, with a remote team.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfort with presenting and engaging others in public-speaking events is also necessary.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting project deadlines, financial goals, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel, up to six times per year, and working some weekends and evenings as required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer technology.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of work.
• A commitment to Audubon’s mission of conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat and the ability to communicate the mission, goals, and programs effectively to partners, government officials, donors, and the public.

This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).