Urban Community Engagement Specialist

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is the only non-profit exclusively focused on protecting, promoting, and enhancing the 850-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s largest network of lands and waters set aside for wildlife conservation.

Our work is largely focused in Washington, DC.  We vigilantly watch for policies and legislation that undermine the integrity of the National Wildlife Refuge System, while advocating for efforts that advance wildlife conservation.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.

Urban Community Engagement Specialist

The National Wildlife Refuge Association seeks a full-time Urban Community Engagement Specialist to work in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Northeast Regional Office and the Lenape National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC).

Since 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Wildlife Conservation Program (UWCP) has invested in communicating the importance of wildlife conservation to urban audiences. As a nonprofit partner to the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) works with urban wildlife refuges across the country to assist in community outreach, partnership development, communications, and fundraising efforts that build strong and resilient nature-based programs that serve urban communities beyond refuge borders.

The goal of the UWCP and the work of wildlife refuges within the Lenape NWRC is to create a connected conservation constituency and cultivate the next generation of conservationists and environmental leaders.

The goal of this position will be to expand the reach and impact of the Service in the Urban Partnership Cities of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Yonkers, New York, and surrounding areas. The Community Engagement Specialist will promote a culture of collaboration aimed at engaging urban audiences in nature. Major tasks include working and communicating with Service staff and existing partners to grow the reach of these organizations, build new community-based partnerships, and broaden support for wildlife conservation by providing opportunities to engage and connect with nature and inspire people of all ages to become stewards of the environment and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

• Work in close coordination with Service staff at the Northeast Regional Office and the Lenape NWRC to implement program priorities, promote and publicize achievements, identify partnership and fundraising opportunities, and assist in community outreach.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with current program partners, state and local elected officials, media outlets, community-based civic conservation, public health, youth-focused, and environmental organizations.
• Identify new funding and partnership opportunities with foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and government agencies.
• Maintain good internal communications (weekly updates by email, Teams, or phone) with the Service’s Northeast Regional Office Urban Coordinator and Lenape NWRC staff, NWRA’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Director, and other stakeholders in the region.
• Work with NWRA’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Director to identify experiences and lessons learned that can be shared with other refuges through the NWRA’s communications and outreach channels.

• High school diploma with coursework in biological or social sciences. Bachelor's degree preferred, and minimum 4-6 years of experience in community outreach related to environmental issues, fundraising, communications, or nonprofit administration with a relevant mission. Experience working in or with conservation corps, parks, recreation, or other sectors related to urban nature is ideal for this position.
• Experience and skill working with the public, with experience in New York and/or New Jersey preferred.
• Experience writing grant narratives and reports (specifically NFWF and government grants), and a basic understanding of fundraising principles.
• Demonstrated experience with resolving differences between entities with incompatible interests/priorities.
• Proven track record building innovative partnerships, setting and achieving program goals, monitoring outcomes and impacts, and coordinating events.
• Proven success developing and implementing public relations, social media, and awareness campaigns.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, experience with public speaking a plus.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a small team with the ability to lead, motivate, and inspire others.
• A strong understanding of the constituencies of New Jersey and New York, experience working with elected officials, and connections to conservation nonprofits is desired.
• Local candidates will be given preference.
• Must be willing and able to travel extensively around northern New Jersey and the greater New York City metropolitan region and possibly beyond, and should be comfortable in the outdoors (both urban and backcountry.)
• Access to a vehicle is required to carry out day-to-day duties. 
  

NWRA employees work remotely within their region. The Community Engagement Specialist will spend time in the partnership cities of Elizabeth, NJ and Yonkers, NY, and other locations. Exact daily schedules are determined by the Specialist and the NWRA Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Director, with input from the Service.

The daily duties of this position are managed by NWRA’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Director. The Urban Community Engagement Specialist will work with Service staff to determine goals, projects, and events to be completed to assist the Service as part of the UWCP. The Specialist will coordinate with the NWRA’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Program Director to ensure day to day tasks are being fulfilled and will be expected to attend NWRA’s all-staff and other regional meetings.

Salary range is $64,000-$67,000 per year commensurate with experience. NWRA offers a competitive benefits package as well as paid sick leave, paid vacation, and paid holidays. Flexible schedules are permitted with approval by managers.

Please submit a statement of interest, your resume, and contact information for at least three (3) professional references to nwrajobs@refugeassociation.org, with the subject line Urban Community Engagement Specialist - Northeast.

This position is open until filled.