Place-Based State Advocate, Environmental Health

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is seeking a Place-Based State Advocate for Environmental Health, based in Richmond, Virginia. This remote position focuses on advancing environmental health priorities, particularly climate adaptation and drinking water policies, through advocacy and coalition-building. The role requires strong communication skills and a commitment to equity and justice, with responsibilities including policy development and partnership building within affected communities across Virginia and the southeastern U.S.
Position Summary NRDC’s Environmental Health Department seeks a State Advocate based in Richmond, Virginia to advance state and regional environmental health priorities with a focus on climate adaptation and drinking water. The role centers on policy development, coalition‑building, and advocacy primarily in Virginia, with occasional engagement across the broader southeastern region. The State Advocate will be an equity‑driven leader with strong relationships across community, environmental justice, and advocacy organizations, and with state and local policymakers. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator who can translate complex policy issues into compelling messages for diverse audiences and who demonstrates deep alignment with NRDC’s mission, values, and commitment to equity and justice. This is a remote position with the expectation that the employee is based in or near Richmond, Virginia; occasional travel within the southeastern United States and to NRDC offices is required. This is a limited‑term 2‑year position. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild‑CWA Local 32035).

Responsibilities Advance state‑level laws and policies that protect communities from climate change and environmental health risks through a lens of equity and justice. Key focus areas include climate risk reduction, homeowner insurance reform, and water affordability. Assist with achieving local‑ and state‑level goals across the Environmental Health Department’s portfolio, including promoting air quality, eliminating toxic chemicals from consumer products, and fighting fossil fuel development in the southeastern United States. Build and sustain partnerships with communities most affected by environmental and climate injustices, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, as well as low‑income and rural communities. Collaborate with a wide range of allies, including environmental organizations, consumer and public‑interest advocates, labor and faith communities, and state and local decision‑makers and elected officials. Represent NRDC with professionalism and sound judgment in coalitions, public forums, and media engagements. The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications Minimum education & experience. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. At least five years of professional experience in environmental or related policy work, including a minimum of two years working in Virginia. Demonstrated experience working with environmental justice organizations and frontline or marginalized communities. A master’s degree or other advanced degree is preferred but not required; equivalent experience will be considered. Skills and competencies. Strong commitment to public‑interest advocacy and NRDC’s mission, values, and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, build consensus, and advance policy goals within coalitions and partners that reach beyond the traditional environmental community. Knowledge of, or strong interest in, affordability policies especially as it pertains to drinking water protection and climate adaptation issues, with the ability to quickly learn and apply NRDC policy priorities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media and public‑facing advocacy. Ability and willingness to register as a state lobbyist. Ability to travel occasionally (approximately 10 percent of work time). Experience working collaboratively across internal teams and with external partners. Physical Demands The physical demands described here represent the conditions required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Frequently perform desk‑based computer tasks. Frequently interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary. Frequently attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers. Occasionally attend events and activities in the office or offsite. Work is sometimes performed primarily in an office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work‑related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time‑sensitive, or multiple matters.

Benefits We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $115,000 to $130,000. NRDC operates under a hybrid work model; employees are required to come to the office eight days per month. NRDC requires employees to be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation, in accordance with state and local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer NRDC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, NRDC will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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Salary: USD 115000 - 130000 per year

Experience: 5 years required