Senior Associate, Advocacy and Outreach

NYC Bird Alliance seeks a Senior Associate for Advocacy and Outreach.

This is an exciting opportunity to have an impact with one of the City’s

leading conservation organizations and to engage New Yorkers in caring

for our natural resources.

About NYC Bird Alliance

Founded in 1979, NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) works for the

protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the

quality of life for all New Yorkers. Our conservation and science activities,

education and public programs, and advocacy and outreach efforts on

behalf of birds and wildlife are more critical than ever due to climate

change, a biodiversity crisis, and habitat loss.

A local, independent chapter of the National Audubon Society, NYC Bird

Alliance serves a diverse community of 10,000 members and tens of

thousands of program participants. Our team of 15 core staff is supported

by dozens of seasonal scientists and environmental educators, hundreds of

wildlife advocates, and thousands of volunteers.

About the Position

The Senior Associate will play a key role in developing and implementing

grassroots outreach across New York City to protect birds, promote urban

biodiversity, and foster equitable access to nature. This role focuses on

empowering communities, building strategic partnerships, and

coordinating public engagement campaigns.

With guidance from the Director of Advocacy and Engagement and in

collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the Senior Associate

will coordinate both strategic advocacy planning and on-the-ground

grassroots outreach to inspire New Yorkers to become advocates for a

bird-friendly city.

Responsibilities

Advocacy and Policy

• Implement and coordinate strategic advocacy plans, directing

grassroots campaigns to protect birds and urban biodiversity.

• Coordinate outreach events such as rallies, demonstrations, and town

halls to mobilize community action and raise awareness of urban

conservation.

• Support “grasstops” advocacy by building and maintaining

relationships with government officials, agency staff, and community

leaders.

• Prepare comments and testimony on proposed policies, bills, and draft

environmental impact statements, ensuring alignment from sound

science.

NYC Bird Alliance - Senior Associate, Advocacy and Outreach (Spring 2025) 1

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Lead grassroots engagement efforts including community outreach, event

coordination, and strategic partnerships.

• Coordinate planning and execution of grassroots campaigns and strategy,

mobilizing volunteer advocates to take action on policy and legislation priorities.

• Develop and analyze data to support community engagement strategies,

including creating a pipeline that moves individuals from education to active

engagement, and ultimately to advocacy.

• Build NYC Bird Alliance’s base of grassroots advocates, drawing from program

participants, the city’s birders, community science volunteers, and more.

• Expand NYC Bird Alliance’s community presence, addressing local conservation

concerns with a lens rooted in science, equity, and environmental justice.

• Collaborate with NYC Bird Alliance’s Communications department to develop

and implement strategic communications for advocacy and outreach

campaigns, including newsletters, social media, web content, and action alerts.

• Offer guidance and information to community members about available

programs and services.

• Help amplify community voices and local stories that connect urban residents

with conservation issues.

Coalitions and Partnerships

• Identify opportunities for collaborative advocacy and joint campaigns that

elevate bird-friendly policy and habitat protection citywide.

• Represent NYC Bird Alliance in working groups and coalitions that advance the

organization's mission.

• Build and maintain relationships with partner nonprofit and community-based

organizations.

• Develop and nurture connections with local stakeholders such as community

leaders, business owners, and residents.

• Represent the organization at community meetings and events.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 2 years of work experience in community organizing, advocacy, or

related fields

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills with particular strength in building and

maintaining productive relationships with internal and external partners

• Cultural competency, with comfort working in diverse urban communities.
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Flexibility, positivity, and effective collaboration skills
• Comfort speaking publicly, facilitating meetings, and leading community

discussions

• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends

Preferred

• Knowledge of New York City’s political landscape and environmental issues

NYC Bird Alliance - Senior Associate, Advocacy and Outreach (Spring 2025) 2

• Experience in communications, social media campaigns, and coalition-building,

with a background in grassroots organizing or advocacy work

• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, or other languages widely spoken in NYC

communities

Job Details

This is a full-time position with a “hybrid” work arrangement, with two days in-person

required at the NYC Bird Alliance office in Manhattan. This position includes weekly

in-person community outreach, requiring travel throughout the five boroughs at

least one day per week.

Compensation

The Senior Associate starting salary will be in the $50,000 -$55,000 range, depending

on experience and skills. In addition, NYC Bird Alliance offers a full benefits package,

including a generous Paid Time Off policy; exceptional 100% coverage on medical,

dental, and vision insurances for full-time employees; life and disability insurances;

and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a match.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter in PDF format to jobs@nycbirdalliance.org, with

“Senior Associate, Advocacy and Outreach ” in the subject line. No calls, please.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a projected employment start

date in July 2025