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’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. This 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 a collaborative and equity-driven leader with strong relationships across community, environmental justice, and advocacy organizations, as well as with state and local policymakers and agencies. 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 you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:    

• 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. 

Minimum Education & Experience:   

• Bachelor’s degree in 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 are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently:  Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite  

Work is sometimes performed primarily in 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. 

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 $115,000 to $130,000.  

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, cover letter and a writing sample. 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.