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Manager, Education for Sustainability
National Wildlife Federation
Detroit, MI, USA
USD 70k-80k / year
Posted on Nov 5, 2025
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The Federation's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
The employee’s actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.
To support our mission, we are seeking a Manager, Education for Sustainability (EFS), to join the EFS team and report to the EFS Director. This role will primarily support the Eco-Schools U.S. and Schoolyard Habitats® programs, engaging schools and communities in hands-on learning that fosters sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The Program Manager will leverage their classroom teaching experience, curriculum expertise, and project management skills to develop high-quality educational content, coordinate program implementation, and foster school and community partnerships.
Because this position supports several schools and educators throughout the Detroit region, we are seeking a candidate who brings strong local context and community connections. A deep understanding of Detroit’s history, culture, and environmental landscape will strengthen NWF’s ability to provide place-based learning experiences that complement classroom instruction and inspire meaningful student action projects. Candidates with established relationships across the Detroit education and community landscape are especially encouraged to apply.
Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):
- Program Management: Coordinate implementation of Eco-Schools U.S. and Schoolyard Habitats® programming, including planning, timelines, budgets, and reporting.
- Curriculum Development: Create and adapt educational resources aligned with NGSS, state standards, and NWF’s frameworks to support teachers, students, and school communities.
- School & Educator Engagement: Provide technical support, professional learning, and facilitation to teachers, students, and partners participating in NWF programs.
- Partnership Building: Collaborate with community organizations, districts, corporate volunteers, and other stakeholders to advance program goals and expand impact.
- Evaluation & Reporting: Track program outcomes, assess impact, and contribute to reports for funders, partners, and internal teams.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years teaching experience or equivalent experience working with youth.
- Established curriculum/content development expertise aligned with education standards.
- Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality results.
- Upholds the highest standards of safety, care, and respect for all youth participants, ensuring their well-being is a top priority.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Demonstrated ability to balance supervisor-directed priorities with self-initiated work, functioning both independently and collaboratively with colleagues in small and large group settings.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build positive, collaborative relationships.
- Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and justice through education.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in education or a similar field with 5 years+ teaching experience.
- Experience in formal education with a focus on environmental education, sustainability, climate resilience, or biodiversity.
- Familiarity with Eco-Schools, Schoolyard Habitats®, or other certification-based environmental programs.
- Experience designing or facilitating professional development for educators.
- Knowledge of NGSS, Common Core, SEL frameworks, and state-based environmental literacy standards.
- Background working with diverse communities, including multilingual or multicultural contexts.
Minimum Skills
- Curriculum Development: Demonstrated experience developing or adapting classroom or informal education content aligned with national or state standards (e.g., NGSS, Common Core).
- Project Management: Proven ability to plan, implement, and track multi-faceted projects, including managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
- Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate workshops and engage diverse audiences.
- Collaboration: Experience working effectively with colleagues, educators, and partners in a team-oriented environment.
- Organization & Detail Orientation: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
Travel Requirements:
Minimal, primarily for school site visits, in-person community events, and professional development as needed. Potential for occasional national travel for staff retreats or environmental educational conferences.
Location and Work Mode:
The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff.
Physical Requirements of the Job:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note: This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience.
We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.
We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:
- Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
- We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
- Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
- Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
- Therapist available at no cost
- Pet insurance and discount perk program
- Annual wellbeing allowance
- In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:
- Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
- Annual year end retirement contribution
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
- Pet adoption stipend
- Student Loan management
Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. If you meet more than 75% of the qualifications of this description, we support your application. If selected, a background check will be conducted.
If you have a disability and require an accommodation or assistance with our online application process, please tell us how we can help via e-mail at careers@nwf.org or by calling us at 703-438-6244.