The Mississippi River Basin Floodplain Policy Advisor works with an interdisciplinary team in planning, implementing, and coordinating TNC’s strategies to influence policies, programs and investments related to floodplain conservation and restoration. Duties include regular and frequent contact with local and regional federal agency staff, members of Congress and their staffs, and with key stakeholders on matters pertaining to agency and legislative actions. Particular focus will be on influencing programs and investments of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This position builds and facilitates internal networks, coordinating meetings, agendas, and presentations. This position develops strategic partnerships with relevant agencies to influence the outcome of policy initiatives at the federal and regional levels and advances the organization’s conservation agenda.

 

• Serves as a liaison between TNC’s NAPGR team, TNC’s Mississippi River Basin state business units, TNC’s Mississippi River Program (MsB Program) and other strategic programs that include floodplain conservation and restoration work that advances water quality and habitat improvement and flood risk reduction.
• Fosters relationships with key federal agency staff primarily at the Mississippi Valley Division and districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state offices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service within the lower Mississippi River Basin to influence floodplain conservation and restoration policies and investments. This is done in coordination with NAPGR water policy team, MsB Program, and TNC state business units to understand and develop federal funding opportunities for floodplain-related projects of TNC, collaborating NGOs, and other local, state and regional stakeholders.
• Tracks mature and emerging conservation projects developed by business units and strategic programs to shape federal policy advocacy opportunities,  connect the projects to federal funding opportunities. and ensure alignment with TNC’s 2030 goals and state and divisional priorities.
• Supports policy development, advocacy, and implementation of a variety of federal legislative measures related to floodplain restoration, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Water Resources Development Act, the Farm Bill, and others.
• In collaboration with NAPGR water team, TNC state business units and the Mississippi River Program, engages in and provides substantive input on key regional studies to ensure they incorporate and identify floodplain restoration investments.
• Educates and presents to key TNC constituencies such as Boards of Trustees, donors, NGO partners, and media as needed.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and state and federal lobbying laws and regulations.
• Will need to gain cooperation from individuals or groups (inside and outside the Conservancy) over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals.