We're protecting and enhancing America's National Park System for present and future generations.

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the nation’s oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocate, has an exciting opportunity for a Great Lakes Policy Fellow to join our Government Affairs Department. This position will report to the Senior Director, Government Affairs.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Location: Chicago, IL or Washington, DC
Grade: L
Salary: $60,000-$65,000 based upon experience and location
Work Status: Full-time; {32 hours per week; 2- year term} 
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for this role including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service. Learn more about our benefits at npca.org/jobs.  

Position Overview:

The National Parks Conservation Association seeks a policy fellow for a two-year term to support the Healing Our Water-Great Lakes Coalition’s advocacy. The Coalition, which is co-led by NPCA and the National Wildlife Federation, advocates for funding to restore and protect the Great Lakes and policies that address water infrastructure and affordability and defends clean water protections. With our Midwest and Government Affairs teams, NPCA is looking for someone to work for the Coalition to identify and track Great Lakes related federal legislation and congressional activities and federal agency regulatory actions. The fellow will summarize this information and provide regular policy analysis and updates to NPCA staff and Coalition members to help inform how the Coalition implements its campaigns. This person will also help create education material related to the Coalition’s priorities and work with its members to organize fly ins and other events that are designed to build bipartisan congressional support for the Coalition’s priorities. Coordinating with the Coalition’s communication and field teams, the fellow will ensure people have the information needed to be effective advocates to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:                                                                                              % of Time

Other: Participates in all Coalition conferences, events and meetings; participates in NPCA organization-wide and Midwest office meetings, training programs and events; attends other meetings and seminars as required. Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Competencies, Skills, Education, and Traits:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in government, government affairs or related field desired. 
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience with legislative and/or administrative advocacy. Congressional experience a plus.
• Familiarity with federal budget and appropriations process a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn complex issues and summarize them simply and clearly.
• Demonstrated self-starter with ability to work collaboratively with multiple in person and remote teams to organize tasks, set priorities, and maintain schedules.
• Interest in building relationships across political boundaries and a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive coalitions and work environments.
• Willingness to travel up to 15% within Great Lakes region and/or Washington, DC.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite applications and web-based technologies.

Core Values

Live, honor, and own the organization’s Core Values:

Commitment We are passionate about NPCA and dedicated to our work and mission. We seek to do our jobs effectively by taking opportunities for professional and personal development and encouraging reasonable risk-taking and innovation.

Inclusion We value diversity of thought, background, experience and opinion. We create a culture of empowerment by welcoming and encouraging meaningful participation from all people and by promoting an environment that embraces different perspectives.

Integrity We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our members and partners, and our mission. We evaluate the impact of our work and strive for honesty and transparency across the organization. We operate ethically in the organization’s best interests.

Respect We collaborate in results-oriented teams based on trust and consideration for each other. We promote harmony between our work and our personal lives. We foster a healthy and positive workplace culture and work collaboratively with external partners.

Physical Effort and Dexterity: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Physical Environment: Remote work allowed. Typical office cube setting when in-person.

Minimum Work Schedule: NPCA’s typical work schedule is Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (32-hour work week). Some evening and weekend work may be required. NPCA tries to provide a flexible and balanced work schedule. Some travel possible for meetings, conferences, and events when appropriate.

Employer’s Rights: NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change. The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.

HOW TO APPLY
Submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will contact you with next steps if you are selected for an interview.