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, being proactive, having a mind for process and project management, possessing strong research, writing and communications 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
• Researching wildlife conservation issues and related federal policies and legislation to draft concise, engaging white papers, fact sheets, briefing documents, infographics and other materials that can be shared with a wide range of stakeholders, and presenting findings internally.
• Tracking legislative, regulatory and Administration action on U.S. environmental wildlife conservation, climate and global health policies.
• Monitoring U.S. foreign policy engagements for wildlife conservation implications related to WCS’s country programs.
• Working with Federal Affairs staff to draft press statements and social media posts on conservation and wildlife policy issues.
• 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.
• Other projects as assigned by 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 and great attention to detail.
Intermediate or advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 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 not limited: use of 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.