The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) seeks a full-time Senior Manager, Delaware River Programs to coordinate our work in the watershed, with a focus on facilitating our participation in the day-to-day activities and strategic direction of the Delaware River Watershed Conservation Collaborative (DRWCC) and Thrive Outside Greater Philadelphia. The DRWCC and Thrive Outside reflect a shared vision and strategy for conservation efforts in the watershed in key areas: equitable access to outdoor experiences, clean water, habitat, and flow management.

We seek a solutions-focused relationship-builder who is experienced in working in a collaborative network context and who can lead from behind, and always within the frame of equity. This position will report to the Director of Conservation Partnerships, Mid-Atlantic.

This position may be based in our Mid-Atlantic Regional Center in Annapolis, MD or function as a fully-remote position in the watershed states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware. (Due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions, expected to be in early 2022.)

In this position you will:

  • Provide full-scale meeting planning and support for the Core Partners of Thrive Outside and the Conservation Blueprint advisory board and technical providers, including engaging members, developing agendas that support relevant and emergent topics, facilitating meetings, capturing takeaways, communicating outcomes and next steps to appropriate parties.
  • Drive the progress of newly-created Thrive Outside Greater Philadelphia initiative, coordinating the creation of a positive asset map of recreation in our hubs, identifying barriers to equitable access, facilitating members’ work in our Thrive Outside hubs, and exploring creative placemaking that spurs repeat and reinforcing outdoor recreational opportunities for young people and communities.
  • Manage the creation of and promote the adoption of a Conservation Blueprint for the watershed through a cooperative agreement between the National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This process will include leading a scoping process to define the work, reviewing and classifying relevant plans and datasets, identifying technical providers, tracking the performance of the technical lead, and incorporating partner feedback.
  • Build trust through intentional relationship-building, identifying connections, and communicating consistently and effectively.
  • Engage and connect a diverse and inclusive pool of external stakeholders and coalitions, including the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE) and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) to understand their programs, aspirations/priorities and capacity to contribute to the DRWCC as a whole.

Qualities we’re looking for include:

  • A community-builder with a proven ability to create structures and facilitate groups with similar but varying interests to reach consensus and follow through on action steps.
  • Comfort with and understanding of the importance of science-based conservation outcomes and the planning that makes those outcomes possible.
  • Openness and a willingness to pivot to another procedure, structure, or solution.
  • Value diversity and associated equity and justice outcomes.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Clear, confident, and thorough communications style.
  • Ability to balance long-term projects and priorities with short-term needs.
  • Demonstrated cultural humility and awareness of power differences; practiced in working with persons of various social, cultural, economic, political and educational backgrounds.

Requirements:

  • A combination of relevant work experience and education to successfully perform the responsibilities outlined in this description.
  • Proficiency in using virtual meeting platforms and in hosting and running virtual meetings.
  • A commitment to continued professional learning and growth.
  • Passion about NWF’s work and the environmental outcomes in the Delaware River watershed.
  • Experience in watershed protection, policy, and planning, is a plus but not required.
  • Availability for occasional evening and weekend work.
  • Regularly planned day-trip travel and occasional overnight travel within the watershed as permitted by COVID protocols. A valid driver’s license is required.

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

Compensation:

The salary for this position is in the range of $70,000 to $80,000 and is dependent upon experience and qualifications. Please note that we will not offer or negotiate an initial salary above this range for this position. We ask that candidates consider this before applying. This is a full-time, exempt position.

The National Wildlife Federation values work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere.  Our paid time-off includes 3 weeks of vacation leave, open wellbeing leave, 10 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, a week-long winter break, and additional leave options, per year.  In addition, our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, AD&D, short- and long-term disability, 16 weeks of paid FMLA leave, 403b retirement plan with employer matching and annual contribution, adoption benefits, and flexible work options including telecommuting, non-traditional work hours, and compressed work weeks.  Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

  • Please submit a resume and cover letter.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • 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.  Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translates directly to our openings.  Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.
  • If you would like to request accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please call 703-438-6244.
  • If selected, a background check will be conducted in line with an offer of employment.

About the National Wildlife Federation:

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is 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.

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.