Communications Fellow

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is Americas largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The Federations 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. The Federation serves as a co-chair of the Choose Clean Water Coalition Steering Committee and is the Coalition's fiscal and staffing agent.

For 17 years, the Choose Clean Water Coalition (Coalition) has coordinated policy, advocacy, and messaging that advances the goals of the Chesapeake Bay restoration community. Reporting to the Coalition's Communications Director, the Communications Fellow will provide integral communications support. A full-time paid fellowship, this is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in gaining experience in nonprofit communications and outreach. The fellowship will also provide significant professional development opportunities.

This position is located in NWF's office in Annapolis, Maryland. This is a hybrid position; candidates must be able to work in the Annapolis office 1-2 days a month. This position is for 40 hours a week for eleven months.

Primary Responsibilities

The Communications Fellow will work directly with the Communications Director to complete the

following objectives:

• Lead the management of the Coalition's social media platforms in accordance with the Coalition's social media strategy.
• Direct the creation and distribution of monthly e-newsletters to Coalition members and partners.
• Manage the production and execution of the Coalition's store product development and marketing.
• Help update and manage the Coalition website.
• Write stories for the Coalition's blog and direct its content calendar.
• Assist with the production of videos and other digital media supporting Coalition policy priorities and strategic communications campaigns.
• Assist with capturing photographs and video at Coalition and partner events.
• Support the creation of communications resources to improve the communications capacity of Coalition member organizations.
• Assist in the development of resources for strategic communications campaigns of the Coalition.
• Provide marketing and event support for the Choose Clean Water Conference.
• Provide additional support as needed to the Coalition workgroups, Coalition Director, Policy Manager, and Partnerships and Outreach Specialist.

The Coalition's Communications Fellow will gain:

• Experience executing strategic multimedia communications campaigns.
• Nonprofit communications and marketing skills, including but not limited to multimedia production, social media, branding, and email.
• Connections with the Coalition's membership of more than 325 nonprofit organizations, providing ample opportunity for building their network for future employment opportunities.
• Skills necessary to navigate working in the nonprofit sector.
• Knowledge about the issues facing the Chesapeake Bay and how nonprofits in the watershed are working together to advance clean water goals.
• A portfolio of work for their resume for future employment opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, including strong copy-editing skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with social media platforms and knowledge of social media trends.
• Photography and videography skills and experience.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate positions and build public awareness.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad base of groups and people from diverse backgrounds.

Desired, but Not Required, Experience and Skills

• Technical skills related to filming and editing.
• Experience with software for design and web publishing.
• Experience in a mission-driven non-profit organization.
• Experience planning and coordinating events.
• Passion for environmental protection and knowledge of threats to clean water.

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 NWFs mission

Travel Requirements:

Up to two days per month throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia).

Location and Work Mode:

This position will be based in Annapolis, MD. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work remotely and/or in the office, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page, https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Physical Requirements of the Job:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note: This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act

Compensation and Benefits:

This position pays $21 an hour for 40 hours a week with paid holidays for eleven months.

This is a paid fellowship opportunity with the National Wildlife Federation. NWF is happy to work with the applicant to obtain relevant credit(s) through college/university programming, such as directed independent study (DIS), internship credit hours, etc. Applicant should indicate if they intend to pursue this in application letter. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate your class schedule.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with interested candidates encouraged to apply by January 5, 2027. Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and are encouraged to also include examples of prior work related to the role. Applicants are also strongly advised not to use AI in the production of application materials.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page, https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers. 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.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at Careers@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.