Policy and Advocacy Fellow
About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at www.massaudubon.org.
About This Position
Mass Audubon is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization and to providing greater access to nature for everyone. Part of this work requires us to address the historic inequities within the environmental and conservation fields, which is why the Environmental Fellowship Program for Early Careers (EFP) was created. The EFP is a unique program designed to increase pathways into environmental professions for people whose identities have been historically underrepresented. Each 14-month fellowship is hosted within one of five departments: Land Conservation, Conservation Science, Policy and Advocacy, Marketing and Communications, or Environmental Education. Our fellows will have the opportunity to tackle some of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time while working alongside a passionate and dedicated team of professionals. In addition to professional experience, the fellows are given opportunities for networking, mentoring, and skill development within a supportive cohort model.
Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda is a five-year plan to address the rapid loss of wildlife habitat, inequitable access to nature, and the threat of climate change. Meeting the existential challenges presented by climate change calls for urgent public policies and programs capable of delivering system-level change. The Policy and Advocacy Fellow will be part of our Policy & Advocacy team and will work to build a new network of climate grassroots advocates, deploy strategic campaigns targeting policies to meet Massachusetts ambitious climate targets, and conduct thought leadership on key research questions related to our policy goals. This Fellow is committed to protecting the nature of Massachusetts and desires to learn how Mass Audubon develops and implements advocacy that advances policy priorities and advocacy strategies.
In addition to including a cover letter and resume, please complete the Policy and Advocacy Fellow Questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/r/Bj5mVRm3jf. A complete application includes a cover letter, resume, and submitted questionnaire. Only completed applications will be reviewed.
Responsibilities
The Policy and Advocacy Fellow will engage in a variety of activities and tactics in support of our policy goals and objectives. Categories of key activities include: legislator & policy research; community organizing, communications, & advocacy campaigns; recruiting, and organizing advocacy volunteers; conducting and supporting campaign and other advocacy activities (e.g., lobby days, legislative events, training, action alerts). Key administrative and support tasks (e.g., maintaining records and data entry) will be required. Duties and responsibilities will be divided evenly (70%) between direct support of the Policy & Advocacy team’s goals, activities and operations, with additional time allotted (30%) for professional development, mentoring, and professional projects or research.
Legislator and Policy Research
- Maintain legislator spreadsheet and records
- Research legislators and key public officials to create dossiers of what and who influences them to take action
- Research specific bills, legislative and program proposals as needed
- Write legislative summaries, draft letters of support/opposition and other relevant summaries
- Research legislative supporters and opponents, conduct power mapping analyses to identify campaign targets
Community Organizing, Communications, and Advocacy Campaigns
- Assist with Climate Champion volunteer recruitment and management
- Create content for training materials talking points, and content for social media and website
- Develop charts, infographics and other visualizations of quantitative information
- Maintain environmental justice spreadsheet tracking Mass Audubon’s environmental justice work and coalition relationships
- Support Legislative Director and Community Organizer to implement tactics on behalf of Mass Audubon’s advocacy campaigns (e.g., recruiting volunteers for campaign work, tracking volunteer activities, creating databases and conducting data analysis to track and report advocacy actions, designing and supporting campaign events)
Team Support and Administration
- Maintain Climate Champion’s metrics data tracking
- Assist in maintenance of Climate Champion & legislator records and interaction tracking
- Assist sanctuary staff on local policy related to major Mass Audubon initiatives at the local level (e.g., Nature in the City, educational programming)
- Support efficient functioning of team – attend internal department meetings, take meeting notes, define priority take-away tasks, provide task and project management activities (e.g., sending meeting requests, developing task assignments and timelines), and other team and project management activities as needed by team
Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:
- Must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree by the start of the fellowship. Degrees or fields of study especially suitable for this work include: Community Development, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Economics, Ethics, Social & Political Philosophy, Management, Philosophy & Public Policy, social sciences, political science, public policy, business, data science, natural or related field
- Enthusiasm for Policy and Advocacy, especially on climate change
- Excellent writing and speaking skills; ability to communicate technical concepts to general audiences highly desirable
- Strong attention to details
- Data and quantitative analysis skills
- Strong project and task management skills
- Solid skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)
Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s base salary range is $50,000 - $55,000; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.
Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 12 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).
Work Schedule
Full-time schedule of 40 hours, Monday through Friday.
This position is a hybrid position with opportunities to work in-person and remotely.
Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.
COVID-19 Considerations
Mass Audubon requires that all staff, regardless of their work location, disclose their vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status will be required immediately upon hire. This should also include a booster shot if it has been 5 months since you were initially vaccinated.
Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.