Position: Federal Policy Fellow
Reports to: Executive Director, Federal Affairs & Policy
Position Managed: N/A
Location: Washington, D.C. and Hybrid/In-Person
Department: Public Affairs
Scope: Washington, D.C. Office
Position Type: Part Time
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.
Job Summary
The Federal Affairs Policy Fellow is an integral member of the Federal Affairs Team at WCS, collaborating on teams with lobbyists, analysts, campaigners, communicators, and conservationists. This position provides critical support to advance WCS’s U.S. government relations, policy and funding goals. This position reports to the Executive Director, Federal Affairs & Policy. Excellent attention to detail, project management experience, process-oriented, possessing strong research, writing, and communication skills are all important elements contributing to success in this role.
Major Responsibilities
The individual’s main responsibilities will be in supporting the Washington, D.C. based Federal Affairs Program by researching federal budgets, legislation, rule-makings, and Administration actions, policy tracking and analysis, meeting scheduling and meeting preparations, supporting events, and drafting social media and communications related to federal policy. Responsibilities include:
•Supporting the Federal Affairs Team’s annual appropriations priorities, including congressional target setting, WCS submissions to Congress, and scheduling meetings, using online software such as Salesforce.
•Coordinating WCS Federal Affairs policy metrics with online software, such as Asana.
•Researching wildlife conservation issues and related federal policies and legislation to draft white papers, fact sheets, briefing documents, talking points, presentations, infographics, and other materials that can be shared with a wide range of stakeholders.
•Researching, analyzing, and tracking federal and foreign affairs conservation policy implications and funding opportunities related to WCS programs, including legislation and Administration actions.
•Contributing to the drafting of federal legislative recommendations that support and promote WCS’s mission.
•Scheduling WCS and coalition meetings with federal agencies and other stakeholders and conducting meeting preparations.
•Supporting in-person and virtual briefings, events, and meetings with Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C. policy makers.
•Advancing other projects as assigned by the WCS Executive Director of Federal Affairs & Policy.
Internal Qualification Requirements
•Graduate degree in public policy, economics, foreign policy or related environmental policy fields. Current graduate students with relevant experience will be considered.
•Knowledge of federal legislative and agency decision-making processes. One to two years of relevant experience is preferred for all candidates and required for current graduate students applying for consideration.
•Superior research, writing, analytical, and presentation skills.
•Project management skills, demonstrated process-oriented thinker, and great attention to detail.
•Intermediate or advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note.
•Experience with Salesforce and Asana or other project management software preferred.
•Federal agency experience preferred. Internship/Fellowship experience will be considered.
Physical Demands
The physical demands include but are not limited to use of a Keyboard, 10-key, Mouse, and Telephone Use, Handwriting, Sitting, Standing, Crouching, Kneeling, Bending, Walking, Stair Climbing, minimal Driving, and Lifting to 35lbs.
Workplace Conditions and Environment
The workplace conditions and environment of the role include working indoors, closely with others, and/or alone.
