Founded in 1936 by a visionary conservationist, the National Wildlife Federation is America's largest and most trusted wildlife conservation and education organization. What began as a conference to unite conservationists has grown into a federation that works closely with regional centers, state and territory affiliates, project offices, and partners across the country.
The National Wildlife Federation has a rich history of success in conservation and continues to be a strong voice for wildlife. The most valuable assets in achieving our mission are our employees, who exemplify our core values of collaboration, empowerment, inclusivity, mindfulness, and taking pride in our mission of “uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world.” At the National Wildlife Federation, our halls are filled with caring, committed individuals with a passion for the preservation and protection of wildlife and wild places.
Inventiveness is one of the hallmarks of the National Wildlife Federation. Our environment supports growth and innovation, and we ardently support individual talents. Our environment is also one of employee and workplace safety, dignity and respect, corporate social responsibility, and positive employee morale. We promote a healthy work/life balance that creates time for family, friends, and connecting with nature.
At the National Wildlife Federation, diversity means understanding and valuing each other’s perspectives. We aspire to be an inclusive multicultural organization that brings together and celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity. With leadership from our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Steering Committee, we are committed to integrating these core values more deeply into all elements of our daily work.
At the National Wildlife Federation we strive to give our employees the kinds of benefits they need to support their work and home lives. The National Wildlife Federation offers a flexible benefits package to allow choice among a variety of options to customize a benefits package based on individual employee/family needs.
The National Wildlife Federation offers comprehensive health, vision, prescription, and dental coverage through a PPO plan. The National Wildlife Federation pays the majority of the medical premium. Employees may elect to cover a spouse, domestic partner (same or opposite sex), or dependents under the health, dental, vision and supplemental life insurance plans.
13 days each year, including most federal holidays and personal floating holidays. We also provide a paid winter break during the last week in December for our employees to relax and recharge.
Most National Wildlife Federation employees start their day between 8 and 10 a.m. Lots of employees work a standard 40-hour work week. But we recognize that everyone is different. We try to stay flexible. Working with your team, you can customize your work schedule to meet the particular demands of your job.
Our benefits go well beyond the traditional. Take our parties, for example—where we get silly with photo booths—or games like corn hole and table tennis. Or join in for our annual chili cook-off, or our “Bike to Work Day” ice cream party, or maybe even a wildlife scavenger hunt or nature walk. We even have a massage therapist! These examples are ways we strive to make our workplace comfortable, fun, and one that builds a sense of community and inclusivity.
Through the Fellowship program, the National Wildlife Federation brings students and recent graduates to its offices nationwide, where they can experience many aspects of the National Wildlife Federation's conservation mission, including work on endangered species, land stewardship, and protecting our nation's water. Departments benefiting from the skills Fellowships provide include conservation, education, philanthropy, communications, legal, and publications. These paid Fellowship opportunities are 48 weeks in duration and full-time, at 40 hours per week.
Working side-by-side with knowledgeable professionals and receiving support from the fellowship coordinator, fellows develop a variety of professional and personal life skills. Fellowship projects support commonsense conservation in communities and throughout the nation. By encouraging innovative ideas and multicultural perspectives, the National Wildlife Federation provides a gateway through which fellows can launch an effective career in conservation and strengthen the environmental movement at the same time. Moreover, by diversifying our organization through the contributions of interns from a variety of backgrounds, the National Wildlife Federation (and ultimately the conservation community) is learning important lessons for making conservation relevant and effective in the 21st century.
A conservation fellowship with the National Wildlife Federation is a separate program from our EcoLeaders Fellowship program, which offers the chance to apply skills to practical campus projects.
In addition to the perks and privileges of being a National Wildlife Federation Fellow, there are also medical, dental, and holiday benefits.
These benefits apply to “Benefit-Eligible Fellowships.” See below for an explanation of Benefit-Eligible Fellowships. Enrollment in the National Wildlife Federation benefit program is effective the first of the month following employment.
The National Wildlife Federation offers comprehensive health, vision, prescription, and dental coverage through a PPO plan. The National Wildlife Federation pays the majority of the medical premium. Employees may elect to cover a spouse, domestic partner (same or opposite sex), or dependents under the health, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans.
In addition to our 48-week Fellowship program, the National Wildlife Federation offers an internship program for students who are currently in high school or are pursuing an undergraduate college degree. These paid internships offer structured work experiences to students, with a number of perks, including relevant and professional work experience, skill development, professional connections, resume enhancements, and an opportunity to assess their own interests and skills. Internships with the National Wildlife Federation can be any length, and may include summer assignments or opportunities throughout the school year. Although an internship with the National Wildlife Federation does not offer benefits, we guarantee our interns will have a great learning experience.
Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Search internship opportunities here.
The National Wildlife Federation's EcoLeaders Fellows confront climate change on their campuses and help to educate and engage the campus community on climate change impacts and solutions. Learn more about EcoLeaders fellowship opportunities.
Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place.
Learn MoreA groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs.
Read MoreMore than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive.