Advocacy Associate

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

 

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Advocacy Associate will work in the Green Finance & Economic Development department whose mission is to: accelerate the shift to a sustainable, resilient, and equitable financial and economic system, and mobilize public resources and private capital for climate investment that reduces emissions and enhances livelihoods and lives. This position will work closely with the Director, Climate Funding Impact and others to drive project and task management for priority initiatives including developing project plans and timelines, researching, creating content and materials, and coordinating associated internal and external communications.   

 

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).   

This is a limited term 2 year position.  

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: 

• Coordinate priority initiatives, including contributing to project plans and timelines, tracking key deliverables, managing workflow in asana, and maintaining files on centralized drive. Plan meetings, including scheduling, crafting summaries, preparing agendas, and synthesizing takeaways and task assignments; follow up with responsible parties to ensure accountability.   
• Plan and prepare for external events such as convenings, webinars and coalition/partner meetings – including scheduling, crafting agendas, preparing event materials and supplies, and communicating to participants.  
• Develop strong relationships and drive collaboration with internal and external partners. 
• Research, collect, and synthesize information relevant to capacity, sector and/or geo-specific and/or climate advocacy.   
• Draft user-friendly and tailored resources such as factsheets, presentations, and infographics. 
• Draft messaging, talking points, newsletters, academic papers and other communication resources in support of advocacy initiatives.  
• Communicate with internal and external partners regarding initiative updates, plans and progress. 
• Support execution of special projects identified by the Climate Funding Impact Director. 

 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience  
• 1-3 years of directly related experience and/or equivalent education or experience 
• Experience in project management and/or event production a plus 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Excellent research and analytical skills. 
• Outstanding problem-solving skills, including the ability to proactively identify obstacles and propose solutions or recommendations to overcome them.  
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects involving multiple people and deliverables, and to perform or quickly learn new tasks, systems, and technologies eg. Asana.  
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently execute many tasks, follow institutional procedures, and work independently with meticulous attention to detail.  
• Ability to work with a broad range of people on different projects.  
• Strict adherence to confidentiality requirements and discretion with sensitive information.  
• Growing proficiency with AI tools and interest in learning them 
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), in addition to knowledge of or ability to learn relevant industry and NRDC specific software and platforms.  
• Competence with and commitment to diversity and inclusion; ability to be an effective partner with diverse colleagues, leaders and partners. 
• Ability to occasionally travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10% annually 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently:  Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Frequently: Hand draw illustrations for advocacy materials 

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite  

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. 

 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

 

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $67,500 to $75,000.  

 

Perks & Benefits 

Not only do we care about taking care of our planet, we care about taking care of you. When you join our team, we invest in your total well-being. Here is a small glimpse on how we plan to support you: 

  

• Time to Unplug & Recharge: Enjoy a generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week to reset for the new year. 

• Family – First: Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements for all NRDCers 

• For your Future: Matching 403b whether you contribute or not 

• Hybrid Policy: The freedom to balance your time around your needs that means, 8 days per month in-office. In-office day requirements can be met with off-site work events such as retreats, conferences, and other work-related travel. 

• Well – being: Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs. 

 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.