The National Audubon Society is embarking on an exciting and innovative organizational initiative that provides on-the-job training and learning opportunities to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the environmental and conservation sector. The Fund II Foundation Apprenticeship Program at Audubon is geared for those who are early on in their professional career or currently enrolled in an advanced education in law/graduate school program. Selected individuals will be given the opportunity to serve in professional positions for 12 months that advance Audubon’s mission and contribute to critical work occurring within organizational functions such as science, fund-raising/development, marketing, outreach, communications, and finance.
Apprentices will be guided by a dedicated program manager who will work closely with the host department or team to ensure the success of the individual and provide training, collaborative learning opportunities and other career readiness services to lead to the eventual placement of a longer-term job placement in the field.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Government Affairs, the Fund II Foundation Apprentice - Policy and Government Affairs will be an active contributor to the Policy team within Audubon’s Washington, DC office and closely collaborate with others to execute on short- and longer-team projects related to implementing policy strategies to advance Audubon’s bipartisan conservation policy agenda to protect birds and the places they need.
The Fund II Foundation Apprentice - Policy and Government Affairs will assist in providing critical legislative analysis and planning on policies that impact water, coasts, climate change, working lands and environmental justice. The position will also aid in building and executing engagement and educational plans for critical decision-makers including federal elected officials and key congressional caucuses. Additionally, the position will be critical to helping build and strengthen relationships with diverse external environmental partners. The Apprentice will also collaborate closely with the Network team, campaigns team, and Audubon state offices to educate, train, and activate Audubon chapters and members on the organization’s policy priorities. The anticipated start date for this role is 12/3.
- Assist in analyzing and tracking policy developments critical to Audubon’s conservation goals and objectives and assist internal staff on developing position papers and related educational materials;
- Monitor the legislative developments for key congressional committees and relevant agency actions that relate to Audubon’s conservation goals and strategies;
- Under the guidance of the Senior Director, oversee development and implementation of a comprehensive engagement plan for congressional caucuses and staff associations relevant to Audubon’s policy priorities;
- Under the guidance of the Senior Director and working with the Conservation Strategies Leads, oversee building and implementing of a congressional briefing plan including logistics, confirming topics and speakers, and preparing educational materials associated with the briefings;
- Assist in developing criteria for analyzing federal policy that aids in determining Audubon’s support for proposed policy positions;
- Prepare high quality analysis and draft legislation, fact sheets, position papers, testimony and other materials necessary to support Audubon’s policy priorities;
- Research and aid in building relationships with and representing Audubon with diverse national issue-based coalitions and environmental and conservation organizations, monitoring their developments and helping Audubon determine ways to contribute to their policy and advocacy efforts;
- Support online advocacy activities by assisting with action alert emails to Audubon members and help develop social media and online content to amplify policy efforts; and
- Collaboratively work with other Audubon departments, state offices and the Audubon chapter network to advance the organization’s strategic conservation priorities.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
- Sound communication and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
- Team builder with a record of working collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups
- A self-starter, one who takes an appropriate amount of initiative and is interested in continuous learning to develop their skills and career aspirations.
- Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Experience with social media, large databases, online tools or similar technologies a plus.
- Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally as the job requires.
- Genuine interest in conservation, the mission of the National Audubon Society, and social and environmental justice.