Careers at NCWF

Job Title: Vice President of Government Relations
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Raleigh, NC
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Overview

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Government Relations. This individual will oversee policy and government relations strategy, ensuring that wildlife conservation is supported and advanced through federal, state and local policy, regulations, and management actions. The Vice President will engage with both grasstops leaders and grassroots communities to effect positive change for wildlife and environmental conservation. This position is responsible for creating and executing advocacy campaign strategies through outreach, communications, and engagement with NCWF activists and community volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

• Government Relations Strategy -- Develop and lead NCWF’s federal, state and local government relations strategy by advocating for policies that promote wildlife conservation and natural resource management.
• Relationship Management - Build and maintain relationships with legislators, federal delegation, and policy makers in the executive branch and its natural resource agencies and local officials to foster collaboration and support for NCWF’s conservation agenda.
• Team Leadership – Strategize and direct a team of lobbyists and government relations professionals and collaborate with other departments within NCWF to align advocacy work with overall organizational goals.
• Policy Development & Advocacy -- Track, research, and analyze legislative and regulatory initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels. Advocate for policies and positions that align with NCWF’s conservation goals.
• Grasstops Engagement -- Build and maintain relationships key ‘grasstops’ influencers at the federal, state and local levels.
• Grassroots Mobilization -- Design and implement strategies to mobilize NCWF’s grassroots network, including activists, community leaders, and volunteers, to advocate for wildlife conservation policies and actions.
• Advocacy Campaigns -- Develop and lead advocacy campaigns to educate and engage NCWF’s grassroots activists, leveraging tools such as social media, email campaigns, community meetings, and public testimony.
• Partnership Development -- Cultivate strategic partnerships with conservation organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders to amplify NCWF’s policy priorities and influence decision-making processes.
• Communications & Outreach -- Work closely with NCWF’s communications team to develop messaging, materials, and public statements that effectively communicate policy goals to both grassroots and grasstops audiences.
• Public Engagement -- Represent NCWF at hearings, meetings, public events, and in the media as a spokesperson on wildlife conservation policy and advocacy efforts.
• Campaign Data & Reporting -- Use data-driven approaches to measure the success of advocacy campaigns and provide regular reports on policy progress and outcomes to the CEO and Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, environmental science, or a
  related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 4--10 years of experience in government relations, public policy, or
  advocacy, ideally within the conservation, environmental, or nonprofit sectors.
• Deep understanding of state and local legislative processes and the ability to navigate political landscapes.
• Proven ability to develop and lead successful advocacy campaigns, engaging both grassroots and grasstops audiences.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to manage teams and build partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Passion for wildlife conservation and commitment to NCWF’s mission.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership and Team Management
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
• Communication and Public Speaking
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Flexibility and Adaptability

Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience within the range of $80,000 to $100,000, plus benefits package including health, retirement, paid family leave, and professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of references to NCWF CEO Tim Gestwicki at Tim@ncwf.org. Position will remain open until filled.

COMPENSATION: Contract position with a competitive hourly rate
LOCATION: Greater Charlotte region
REPORTS TO: Great Outdoors University Director

Job Summary

Do you love and appreciate North Carolina’s wild lives, wild places and natural resources? Are you a leader or teacher who enjoys spending time with kids and jumps at the chance to spend time outdoors? Does helping connect kids with nature and outdoor adventures sound like fun to you? Then North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) has the perfect opportunity for you to explore the natural world while inspiring future conservationists!

NCWF brings together citizens, outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and anglers, government, and industry to protect our state’s natural resources. Our work happens in the field, through conservation policy, educational engagement and outreach, youth outings, 1,500 volunteers, and collaboration with other conservation groups. 

Great Outdoors University (GoU) is a conservation-based experiential education program that brings outdoor adventures to kids ages 4-18 who have limited opportunities to explore and make discoveries about the natural world. We partner with youth organizations to provide day trips to parks, preserves, farms and other destinations within an hour’s drive of Charlotte. Excursions include fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, gardening, bird watching, archery, scavenger hunting, hands-on experimenting, and identifying wildlife and their habitat.

Field Trip Leaders must be strong role models and have excellent communication skills. They must interact appropriately and effectively with students, parents, volunteers and colleagues with various backgrounds and economic statuses. Ideal Field Trip Leaders are personable, welcoming, patient, kind, dependable, honest, flexible and mature.  

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead courses and activities outlined by Program Director or Field Trip Coordinator.
• Mentor kids to embrace personal responsibility and teamwork and master problem-solving abilities by learning hands-on outdoor skills. 
• Abide by and exemplify GoU’s four “rules” and behavior outlined in our Adult Code of Conduct.
• Work in cooperation with other Field Trip Leaders and partner organization staff and adults on assigned trips.
• Create positive and inclusive environments where kids can make discoveries, be creative, learn new skills and build self-confidence. 
• Impart science and math knowledge in a fresh and fun way.
• Educate youth about the importance of conservation. 
• Foster appreciation for continued learning. 

Qualifications and Experience

• General knowledge of North Carolina’s natural resources, flora and fauna. Expertise in related topics is preferred. 
• Teaching or other leadership experience (not necessarily in a classroom setting).
• Awareness of outdoor safety concerns and risk management.
• Awareness of and appreciation for individual uniqueness and diversity.

Position Requirements

• Signed NCWF Great Outdoors University Hold Harmless and Release and Code of Conduct forms (provided upon application approval). 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive.
• Willingness to travel throughout the Greater Charlotte area.
• Internet access and email account.
• Working cell phone with text messaging capabilities.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Criminal background check. 

To apply, complete the online application. No phone calls, please.