Tribal Engagement Fellow

Natural Resources Defense Council • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing , and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org. POSITION SUMMARY: NRDC is seeking a two-year Fellow to work with the Nature Equity & Community Partnerships (ECP) team as it seeks to strengthen and grow Nature’s partnerships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in ongoing food and agriculture, lands, and oceans advocacy. The Fellow will be a member of the ECP team and will work closely with one additional Nature team on an advocacy campaign with a strong Tribal nexus. The Fellow will generally support the campaign, including through research and writing, partner development, coalition engagement, and lobbying or other policy advocacy, with an emphasis on Tribal partners and related matters. The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035). This is a limited term 2 year position. This Fellow will be based out of NRDC's Washington, D.C. office.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a relevant graduate degree preferred.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience, including one or more of the following, including internships and clinical work: Experience working with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, or Native‑led organizations; Advocacy/organizing/political experience (e.g., lobbying, campaign, or coalition-building experience; work experience with a federal, state, or local official); and Legal experience (e.g., legal research, writing formal comments, etc.).
• Knowledge of or interest in addressing the biodiversity crisis, and the ability to learn new and sometimes wide-ranging subject matter areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous governance, treaty rights, consultation principles, and/or Indigenous‑led approaches to environmental or community priorities.
• Demonstrated cultural competency, including the ability to work effectively and respectfully with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service, equity, or social justice.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, active listening, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to contribute effectively as a member of a team and collaborate across a large non-profit organization.
• Ability to travel domestically to NRDC offices, coalition gatherings, or partner meetings, approximately 10% annually.
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic support, research, analysis, and writing for one Nature campaign, with a focus on Tribal matters and supporting Tribal partners.
• Represent NRDC at hearings, conferences, coalition meetings, and venues with decisionmakers.
• Support the development and management of partnerships with Tribal Nations, Native-led NGOs, and/or indigenous communities – seeking shared advocacy goals and opportunities for NRDC to support Tribal Sovereignty for Tribal Nations and collective power for non-governmental partners.
• Integrate Tribal and Indigenous perspectives into advocacy strategies, policy positions, and communications; support culturally competent engagement and consultation practices.
• Collaborate with Nature ECP team members on a limited set of workstreams outside of the main campaign assignment.
• Facilitate collaboration and coordination between the ongoing advocacy campaign and the Nature ECP team – bringing in other ECP team members when it would benefit the campaign and bringing learnings from the campaign to support ongoing ECP strategy development.

Benefits

• Generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week
• Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements
• Matching 403b
• Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level