Policy Advocate

Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

NRDC is seeking a Policy Advocate to work with the Toxics team in any of our offices, preferably San Francisco or Washington, D.C.

Position Summary

NRDC is seeking a Policy Advocate to join the Toxics sector within Environmental Health. The Policy Advocate will work as a member of the Plastics and Petrochemicals Advocacy team to work on reducing the harmful impacts of plastics and petrochemicals, as well as engaging on issues related to the impact of toxic chemical exposures on human health. Work is focused on reducing such impacts through science-informed policy, litigation, legislation, and corporate campaigns.

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).

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:

• With the guidance of the Director of Plastics and Petrochemical Advocacy, support state and federal policy advocacy to reduce the health and environmental impacts of plastics and toxic chemicals. The work will include advocacy to combat false solutions such as “chemical recycling” and reduce the use of the most harmful chemical additives and plastic materials, via legislation, administrative regulations and policies, litigation, or other advocacy avenues.
• Review regulatory language, legislation, and other policy and scientific and/or technical information related to plastics and toxic chemicals.
• Meet with federal and state policy makers, agency staff, and other decision makers to influence policy outcomes and cultivate policy makers to be champions for policies related to plastics and toxic chemicals.
• Collaborate and interface with internal and external teams to advance work and address institutional and team priorities.
• Serve as a spokesperson for NRDC on plastics and toxics issues, including with the media and funders.
• Establish and maintain relationships with partner organizations, coalitions, scientists and experts, and other stakeholders—identifying opportunities for joint advocacy where appropriate.
• Develop expertise in plastics and toxics issue areas and help draft factsheets, reports, petitions, and technical or legal comments.
• Contribute to the creation of clear and compelling written and visual communications to policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public to advance advocacy priorities, including blogs, fact sheets, comments for public hearings, reports, and presentations.
• Identify new advocacy issues and opportunities based on emerging research and/or strategic value.
• Participate in fundraising activities, including meeting with donors and foundation staff and contributing to proposals and reports to funders.

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

• Bachelors degree; Masters in Science or higher (public health, toxicology or related scientific field) and/or law degree (JD) preferred.
• A minimum of 4-7 years of experience in a related field.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams.
• Ability to critically review regulatory language, legislation, or other policies.
• Ability to engage with scientific and technical material.
• Ability to work with other environmental, health-affected and community groups and people from a wide array of cultures, backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to nonprofit/public interest advocacy and environmental public health.
• Commitment to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture.
• Comfort with public speaking and representing NRDC and NRDC’s members in front of decision makers.
• Excellent inter-personal, organizational, and time management skills.
• Creativity and curiosity; willingness to learn and listen to others’ perspectives.
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 20% annually.

Preferred:

• Advocacy or political experience (e.g., lobbying, campaign experience, work experience with a federal, state, or local official).
• Policy or administrative experience (e.g., policy development, work experience with a federal or state agency).
• Experience with partnership building and developing authentic, trust-based relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience in applying science to policy decision-making highly desirable.
• Experience and/or knowledge of plastics and/or toxic chemical issues

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 $113,000 to $121,000.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé, cover letter and a persuasive writing sample (1-4 pages). 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.