NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C. 

NRDC is seeking a Senior Advocate, Adaptation to work with the Adaptation team in our Washington D.C. or New York office. 

Position Summary 

The Senior Advocate, Adaptation will drive innovative solutions that enhance climate resilience across key themes that affect the safety and wellbeing of people and communities. This includes a focus on comprehensive risk management with a particular emphasis on insurance in the residential sector. The Senior Advocate, Adaptation will collaborate in efforts to promote comprehensive risk management at the state and local levels to address the looming homeowner insurance crisis precipitated by the growing frequency and severity of climate-influenced disasters. In this role, you will work at the intersection of policy, research, and on-the-ground implementation to shape and execute strategies that improve the long-term resilience of communities and states. 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Adaptation, the Senior Advocate, Adaptation will work along with other staff in NRDC’s Adaptation Division and related departments across NRDC. The Senior Advocate, Adaptation will apply their expertise to support other themes in Adaptation, including disaster risk management, climate mobility and climate resilient communities and homes. This is a limited term two year position.   

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).  

• Develop and implement strategies that integrate climate risk considerations into insurance and financial products for homeowners 
• Work with governments, private sector and financial institutions to design and promote innovative risk reduction and risk transfer mechanisms 
• Collaborate with state and local governments, community organizations and related stakeholders to enhance adaptive capacity and strengthen policies and incentives for climate adaptation 
• Identify needed changes to policy and practices and develop advocacy initiatives that result in their adoption and implementation. 
• Support strategies for disaster risk management, planned relocation/managed retreat and climate resilient communities and homes  
• Contribute to global and national dialogues on adaptation, advocating for inclusive and holistic approaches and represent NRDC in media interviews 
• Lead the development of presentations, reports, and research materials tailored to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, policymakers and community organizations  

• Master’s degree in Climate Policy, Environmental Science, Economics, Geography, Public Policy, or a related field 
• 7+ years of experience in climate adaptation, comprehensive risk management or resilience-focused policy and program design and/or implementation 
• Experience with intersection of insurance mechanisms and comprehensive risk management to holistically address risks of climate change 
• Knowledge of funding mechanisms for adaptation, including blended finance and public-private partnerships 
• Experience working in and/or partnering with governments, private sector, and community organizations on adaptation initiatives 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder and community engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex adaptation concepts into actionable strategies 
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, writing/editing, and interpersonal skills 
• A demonstrated understanding of the disproportionate burden of climate impacts on historically and currently marginalized communities and the root causes of climate vulnerabilities 
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and NRDC’s mission 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do 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, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

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 $130,000 to $150,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.