The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) uses law, science and the support of more than 2 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Reviving the world’s oceans is one of NRDC’s top strategic priorities. NRDC works to promote healthy and vital oceans by preserving special places and species, defending against destructive and harmful practices like overfishing and harmful offshore drilling, and planning for a healthy ocean future. Current initiatives include protecting the Atlantic coast from offshore oil and gas drilling, protecting and strengthening the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, advancing ocean protections in the Arctic and on the high seas, protecting California’s ocean environment through marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries, and strategic efforts to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing.
The RAY fellow will assist staff members in ongoing advocacy efforts in ocean conservation. The fellow will have an opportunity to work on a range of ocean issues which may include preparing research and policy papers related to: promoting sustainable fisheries management in California; protecting California’s marine protected areas and other important ocean habitats from industrial impacts, such as from oil and gas development and desalination plants; reducing illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing; minimizing the impacts of offshore wind development; improving conservation of sharks and rays; and working to defend against ocean policy rollbacks at the federal level. Through this work, the Fellow will gain skills in research and analysis, written advocacy, oral advocacy, and participation in regulatory processes.
The Fellow will be an integral part of NRDC’s team and will gain exposure to a variety of activities including legislative advocacy, science meetings, and advocacy strategies including meetings with stakeholders
- Research science and policy questions related to NRDC’s ocean priorities,
- Prepare briefing papers and summarize findings and recommendations based on the above research,
- Participate in working group meetings of ocean’s team and attend meetings with coalition partners,
- Collaborate with oceans staff and provide programmatic support as needed, and
- Depending on where the RAY Fellow is ultimately located, work will also include a focus on California/West Coast oceans policy, with opportunities to engage with state-level issues, conservation organizations and communities (SF office), or on federal Oceans policy, with opportunities to engage with Congress and conservation organizations (DC office).
LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT
Through the course of the one-year fellowship, you will get the skills, experience and training necessary to be a leader in the environmental and social change movements.
The Fellow will have the opportunity to:
- work closely with our staff on a significant project,
- develop core professional skills,
- understand our approach to environmental issues, and
- develop an understanding of marine conservation science and advocacy as a career path.
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
- An interest and passion for the field of marine/ocean conservation
- Strong leadership potential and excellent written and verbal skills
- Strong research, presentation and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of professionals
- Knowledge about marine science and policy is a plus.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- The participating organizations are equal opportunity employers continually seeking to diversify their staffs, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.
The fellowship is paid and sponsored by Natural Resources Defense Council, who also offers a competitive benefits package, as well as excellent mentoring, networking and other opportunities.