Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, etc. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world.  The organization’s programs focus on conserving wildlife, restoring habitat and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Community Conservation Fellow to join our Mid-Atlantic Regional Center (MARC) team to implement on-the-ground community conservation projects in four urban centers. The majority of the work will be field-based and will occur in Baltimore, MD, with occasional assignments in Lancaster, PA; Philadelphia, PA; and Wilmington, DE. The Fellow will work with the Senior Coordinator, Conservation Programs to install and maintain pollinator gardens and native meadows on community farms and gardens, vacant lots, schoolyards, and other community-based sites. The Fellow will also work with community partners to educate the public on the importance of native plants and pollinators as well as train and engage community members to maintain wildlife habitats long-term. Office-based projects will include administrative and outreach support for additional education and community conservation programs.

National Wildlife Federation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center has a strong focus on water quality and urban wildlife habitat in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds. Over the last decade, we have developed strong partnerships in Baltimore, MD and worked with several community partners to install dozens of pollinator gardens and other natural infrastructure projects to promote wildlife habitat, improve water quality and climate resilience, and provide people with connections to nearby nature. Our work has grown to include projects in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Washington D.C.  This fellowship position will expand our ability to install and maintain wildlife habitats and develop strategies for long-term, community-led maintenance solutions.

The MARC office is located in Annapolis, MD (due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions) . This will be a field-based, remote work position with the option to work in the regional office as COVID-19 policies allow.

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. Expenses for traveling to cities outside of Baltimore will be covered.

In this role, you will:

  • Assist with the design, installation and management of pollinator gardens and green infrastructure at schools, vacant lots, houses of worship, and other community locations
  • Lead and organize maintenance efforts at existing pollinator gardens in Baltimore City, including promotion and volunteer recruitment
  • Assist with the development and execution of Sacred Grounds programming in Baltimore, Wilmington, and the District of Columbia
  • Coordinate with community partners and assist with community engagement efforts across the region to support ongoing projects
  • Assist with procurement of pollinator garden materials and supplies, including ordering native plants, mulch/compost, placing Baltimore ToolBank orders, etc.
  • Develop educational materials and assist with educational workshops on the importance of wildlife habitat, native plants and pollinators
  • Maintain records of maintenance and engagement activities
  • Develop strategies for long-term maintenance of pollinator gardens and other wildlife habitats
  • Provide administrative and outreach support for education and community conservation programs, including grant development, project management, partner check-in meetings, etc.
  • Create content for blogs and social media as interests and background experience allow

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Based in/or near Baltimore City
  • Working knowledge of native plants and pollinators
  • Comfort working outdoors throughout the growing season
  • Experience planting and/or maintaining gardens
  • Experience working with volunteers
  • Ability to work and connect with community members and partners of all backgrounds

Additional Qualifications:

  • Willingness to use personal vehicle or public transportation to travel to various project sites in Baltimore
  • Willingness to travel to other cities as needed
  • Willingness and ability to spend time outdoors at events or assisting with school/community garden maintenance and activities, if safe and permitted

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;
  • Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
  • 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

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.  Because the health of our employees and candidates is a top priority, we conduct our hiring process virtually via phone or video until further notice.  We are currently starting our positions as remote, but will transition to onsite work when our offices re-open, expected to be in 2022. Proof of vaccination will be required as a condition to join the National Wildlife Federation.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed until the closing date of April 14, 2022. Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing relevant training and experiences, motivations for applying for this position, and career goals. Applications will not be considered without both a cover letter and a resume.

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.