Federal Policy Fellow

The Federal Policy Fellow at Environmental Jobs Network will support the Wildlife Conservation Society's Federal Affairs Team in Washington, DC. Responsibilities include researching wildlife conservation policies, tracking legislation, drafting communications, and preparing for meetings with policymakers. The fellow will require strong project management, research, and communication skills, and will collaborate with various stakeholders to advance WCS's conservation goals.
About the position

The Federal Affairs Policy Fellow is an integral member of the Federal Affairs Team at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), working collaboratively with lobbyists, analysts, campaigners, communicators, and conservationists. This position is crucial in providing support to advance WCS's U.S. government relations, policy, and funding goals. The fellow will report directly to the Executive Director of Federal Affairs & Policy. Success in this role requires excellent attention to detail, a proactive approach, strong project management skills, and exceptional research, writing, and communication abilities. The fellow will primarily support the Washington, D.C.-based Federal Affairs Program by engaging in various tasks such as researching federal budgets, legislation, rule-makings, and Administration actions. The role involves policy tracking and analysis, scheduling meetings, preparing for meetings, supporting events, and drafting social media and communications related to federal policy. The fellow will be expected to produce concise and engaging materials that can be shared with a wide range of stakeholders, presenting findings internally and externally. In addition to research and writing, the fellow will monitor U.S. foreign policy engagements to assess their implications for wildlife conservation, particularly in relation to WCS's country programs. The fellow will also collaborate with Federal Affairs staff to draft press statements and social media posts on conservation and wildlife policy issues, ensuring that WCS's messaging is clear and impactful. The position may also involve supporting in-person and virtual briefings, events, and meetings with policymakers in Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C. The fellow will undertake other projects as assigned by the Executive Director of Federal Affairs & Policy, contributing to the overall mission of WCS in promoting wildlife conservation.

Responsibilities
• 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.
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• Tracking legislative, regulatory, and Administration action on U.S. environmental wildlife conservation, climate, and global health policies.
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• Monitoring U.S. foreign policy engagements for wildlife conservation implications related to WCS's country programs.
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• Working with Federal Affairs staff to draft press statements and social media posts on conservation and wildlife policy issues.
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• Scheduling WCS and coalition meetings with federal agencies and other stakeholders and conducting meeting preparations.
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• Supporting in-person and virtual briefings, events, and meetings with Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C. policymakers.
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• Other projects as assigned by WCS Executive Director of Federal Affairs & Policy.

Requirements
• Graduate degree in public policy, economics, foreign policy, or related environmental policy fields. Current graduate students with relevant experience will be considered.
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• Knowledge of federal legislative and agency decision-making processes.
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• One to two years of relevant experience is preferred for all candidates and required for current graduate students applying for consideration.
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• Superior research, writing, analytical, and presentation skills.
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• Project management skills and great attention to detail.
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• Intermediate or advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and One Note.
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• Experience with Salesforce and Asana or other project management software preferred.
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• Federal agency experience preferred. Internship/Fellowship experience will be considered.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with Salesforce and Asana or other project management software preferred.
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• Federal agency experience preferred.

Benefits