Director, Soil Health

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Jan 27

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Senior & Expert Level
Government & Politics
Sustainability
Washington

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Law degree or relevant graduate-level degree preferred.
7+ years of experience of legal and/or policy advocacy, including experience managing teams. Experience leading state or federal campaigns preferred.
3 + years of supervisory or people management experience
Experience successfully building and navigating diverse teams and/or coalitions, including developing consensus on policy issues and driving toward equitable, positive outcomes.
Experience utilizing and implementing equity frameworks and/or working with partners and communities to ensure equitable outcomes of policies and programs.
Skilled in employee engagement, team/coalition building, and project and people management skills.
Strong written and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to communicate technical and analytical information in a clear and persuasive manner in a variety of public forums and in the media.
Ability to travel to priority states or target areas for Healthy Soils work and NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10-15% annually.
Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and implement the Healthy Soils team strategy in collaboration with other team members, including policy positions regarding the control of nitrogen pollution and related soils issues;
Develop and execute multifaceted legislative, administrative, legal, and communications campaigns at the state and federal level to achieve sector and team goals;
Work to build and maintain relationships with partners, coalitions, and other stakeholders, and meet regularly with decisionmakers to influence policy outcomes;
Represent NRDC in public forums, including administrative proceedings, legislative committee hearings, and media outlets;
Author letters, blogs, reports, briefs, comments, and/or other public facing communications materials to support the Team’s advocacy;
Manage direct reports to develop performance goals including those related to supporting sector priorities, institutional DEI goals, professional development goals, and management (if appropriate); meet on a regular basis to ensure direct reports have clear and executable annual workplans and help manage their workflows to support both the achievement of those goals and a healthy work-life balance;
Oversee staff’s performance, provide guidance and on-going feedback; help resolve issues and provide course-correction when needed to enable each member to be fully successful; provide training as needed to staff while also working to continually improve and develop as a manager and mentor junior staff;
Serve on the Food and Agriculture Sector’s Leadership Team, guiding the sector’s strategy and engagement;
Collaborate with other NRDC departments (e.g., Government Affairs, Communications, and others) to implement the Health Soils team strategy; and
Provide input in the development of annual plans and budgeting processes to support the Healthy Soils team and the Food and Agriculture Sector; identify staffing, consultant, and other resource needs for major initiatives); and provide input for funding proposals and for reports to major donors and foundations.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Director, Soil Health position?

The salary range for this position is $157,000 to $180,000, based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, with a law degree or relevant graduate-level degree preferred. Additionally, 7+ years of experience in legal and/or policy advocacy and at least 3 years of supervisory experience are required.

Is there any travel involved with this role?

Yes, the position requires travel to priority states or target areas for Healthy Soils work and NRDC U.S.-based offices, approximately 10-15% annually.

How does NRDC view diversity, equity, and inclusion?

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion both in our work and workplace, encouraging applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

What type of work environment does NRDC offer?

NRDC offers a supportive working environment with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. They operate under a hybrid work model, requiring employees to come to the office 8 days per month.

How will the Director of Healthy Soils contribute to NRDC's mission?

The Director will lead and implement the Healthy Soils team strategy, advocate for healthier soils in the agricultural system, and oversee various campaigns at both the state and federal levels to influence policy outcomes.

What types of campaigns will the Healthy Soils team be involved in?

The Healthy Soils team will develop and execute legislative, administrative, legal, and communications campaigns focused on nitrogen pollution control and related soil health issues.

How can candidates apply for this position?

Interested candidates can apply by visiting www.nrdc.org/careers, where they can upload their résumé and cover letter, and should mention where they saw the job posting.

What is the expected management responsibility for the Director of Healthy Soils?

The Director will manage direct reports, develop performance goals, and oversee staff performance while providing guidance, feedback, and training as necessary.

Are vaccinations required for employment at NRDC?

Yes, NRDC requests that employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

The Earth's Best Defense

Government

Industry

501-1000

Employees

1970

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Worth Magazine has named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities, and the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau reports that NRDC meets its highest standards for accountability and use of donor funds. NRDC was founded in 1970 by a group of law students and attorneys at the forefront of the environmental movement. NRDC lawyers helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws. Today, our staff of more than 300 lawyers, scientists and policy experts -- a MacArthur "genius" award-winner among them -- work out of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. The New York Times calls us "One of the nation's most powerful environmental groups." The National Journal says we're "A credible and forceful advocate for stringent environmental protection." With the support of our members and online activists, NRDC works to solve the most pressing environmental issues we face today: curbing global warming, getting toxic chemicals out of the environment, moving America beyond oil, reviving our oceans, saving wildlife and wild places, and helping China go green.