The Sustainable Agriculture Fellow will contribute to National Wildlife Federation's efforts to advance agricultural sustainability through promotion of soil health and conservation systems. As part of the sustainable agriculture team, this position will assist with efforts to evaluate effective outreach strategies, identify opportunities for new engagement approaches, and develop partnerships to expand conservation agriculture to new audiences. Primary responsibilities will include: assisting with data collection and analysis activities, including surveys, interviews, and background research; maintaining program participant contact lists; planning and coordinating meetings; and compiling reports. The Fellow will also assist in other tasks related to the sustainable agriculture program, including: participating in meetings with conservation partners, developing factsheets and outreach materials, and other assigned projects. This Fellow position provides an excellent opportunity for early career professionals interested in conservation, agriculture, and community engagement. We are looking for individuals with strong analytical skills, interest in agriculture, natural resources, and/or conservation, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and a willingness to learn as a part of a dynamic team.
Background:
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.
National Wildlife Federation (NWF)’s Sustainable Agriculture Program works with agricultural communities to break down the culture barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. The program works from a ground-up approach, directly working with farmers and ranchers, as well as conservation outreach professionals. We provide communications and message training to better equip innovators with the skills to reach non-adopters. NWF works with other leading conservation organizations through coalitions and multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance support for sustainable agriculture production, sourcing and financing.
The Fellow will report directly to the Conservation Outreach Specialist and with the rest of the Sustainable Agriculture team based in the Midwest. There will also be opportunities to contribute to our broader agriculture team, including staff based in Washington D.C. This position will assist in developing and implementing data collection and analysis tasks in support of our programmatic efforts. The preferred location of this position is Ann Arbor, MI, Washington, DC, or Atlanta, GA in proximity to sustainable agriculture team staff (due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions).
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.
In this role you will:
- Assist in developing impact evaluation research protocols and materials.
- Assist in implementing data collection protocols, including conducting web-based surveys, phone/video interviews, and internet- and media-based background research. This includes compiling and maintaining research participant contact lists, managing research data through survey and data management software, and developing databases of existing conservation messaging.
- Assist with quantitative and qualitative data analysis of surveys and interviews to evaluate effective outreach and communication strategies on conservation agriculture.
- Write reports, summaries, research briefs to communicate research findings and implications for conservation outreach and policy.
- Plan and schedule internal and external meetings, create agendas, gather information and resources for future meetings, attend meetings and take care of follow-up needs, and take effective, informative notes during internal and external meetings and send timely meeting reports to the internal team.
- Assist in other sustainable agriculture program tasks including developing factsheets, outreach materials, and other assigned projects
Qualifications:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Training and experience with research methods, data collection, and qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis
- Detail oriented
- Training in environmental sciences, natural resources, conservation, agriculture, and/or social sciences, with an interest in learning about sustainable agriculture
- Interpersonal communication skills; strength in interacting with persons of various social, cultural, economic, political, and educational backgrounds
- Ability to multitask and prioritize work
- Self-starter, ability to work independently within a team context
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zoom; experience with data management software (e.g Microsoft Access or Qualtrics) and/or analysis software (e.g. SPSS, R) preferred
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 early 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 March 6, 2022. Candidates should submit both 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.