Compliance Specialist

National Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife Federation

Legal

Herndon, VA, USA

USD 75k-85k / year

Posted on May 20, 2026

Statement of General Purpose:

The Compliance Specialist is a member of the Restricted Revenue team in the Finance department and will serve as a main contact for our U.S. Government (USG) funded restricted revenue and grant award compliance for their assigned Program portfolio. The position is responsible for effectively providing federal compliance, federal grants financial management, subrecipient monitoring and screening, support for federal grants proposals, grants management training, grants financial analysis, and communication for National Wildlife Federation (NWF) grants through a collaborative effort with the Philanthropy department, Conservation and Education programs, Office of General Council, Finance and other internal staff throughout the organization. Program assignments and terms may vary depending on priorities.
Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):
Monitor Subrecipients compliance and provide screening for all Federal Grants:

Responsible for screening all NWF’s subrecipients that are included in the federal proposals or currently engaged with current federal grants. Provide review for subrecipient risk assessments, debarment check and monitoring plans before the execution of the subawards. Responsible for providing annual risk assessments, overseeing subrecipient financial compliance, monitoring and training. Responsible for submitting FFATA reports on sam.gov. Review and approve monthly or quarterly subrecipient invoices for accuracy and compliance. Review, analyze and support the subrecipient’s periodic financial reports and expenditure forecasts. Provide training if needed for all related subgrantees for proper management of USG funds.

Manage and track assigned USG grants within the assigned Program portfolio, which includes:

Responsible for financial management issues for assigned USG funded grant awards. Responsible for providing ongoing financial compliance related guidance and training for staff. Monitors all revenue and expenses, including reviewing allowable costs, related to federally funded grant programs. During the annual budgeting process, manages the restricted revenue portion of the new budget by communicating with Philanthropy, Finance and program managers to accurately reflect known and anticipated restricted revenue sources.

Monitors appropriate financial and reporting systems, such as Infor Cloud Suite Financials, iBudget (a web-based budget and reporting system) and Airtable, to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. Serve as point person to review, code, and track grant revenue and monitor such expenses for programs. Manages year-end process of recording and reconciling revenue with program staff and Finance. Coordinate with the Senior Director of Finance and other team members to ensure year-end journal entries are prepared accurately and timely.

Ensure accurate and timely reporting to donors and analysis for Program portfolio and management:

In coordination with program directors, Philanthropy, and Finance, produce and submit financial reports for USG-funded projects to minimize organizational risk and ensure financial compliance. Ensure that reporting adheres to 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance and other funder requirements both in content and deadlines as well as that it matches financial information tracked in various systems within NWF.

Communications:

Serve as the point person for assigned NWF Program area interactions and communications about restricted revenue. Serve as liaison between Conservation and Education programs, Philanthropy, and Finance in addition to any other departments regarding tracking, compliance, and information flow related to USG grant funded programs. Recognizes informational needs for each department at various stages in the grants process (from budget creation to report submittal). Serve as a liaison between partners and subgrantees to insure the proper spending of the USG grants.

Other duties as assigned:

Review and maintain a variety of NWF policies and procedures to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with Federal regulations. Produce journal entries as needed for restricted revenue. Assist the Senior Director of Finance with preparation of annual Single Audit schedules. Occasional work on special projects.

Minimum Experience:

B.S. or B.A. in Accounting or Finance or equivalent experience. Minimum five years of experience in financial management of USG funded grants, subrecipients monitoring and financial nonprofit experience, preferably in Finance or Philanthropy related to grant operations and compliance, with some overlap in program work. Experience with environmental education, conservation issues, Infor CloudSuite Financials or other financial software a plus.

Minimum Skills:

  • Prior experience with federal subrecipient monitoring
  • Demonstrated experience working on federal grants, working knowledge of Uniform Guidance, 2CFR 200.
  • Demonstrable skill in creating and tracking budgets and expenses for grants and organizational projections;
  • Ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people around a purpose, and can also work well independently;
  • Knowledge of nonprofit financial reporting and strong financial analysis and presentation abilities;
  • Understanding of donor/nonprofit relationships;
  • Strong verbal and written communication and customer service skills in English;
  • Ability to communicate financial concepts to non-financial professionals;
  • Attention to detail, strong organizational skills and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy;
  • Must consistently meet deadlines;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel capabilities and knowledge of databases, preferably Airtable and Essbase or willingness to learn.

The employee’s actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

  • Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
  • Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
  • Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement.
  • Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
  • Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
  • Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission.

Travel Requirements:

The position is remote online or hybrid in Reston, VA. and minimal travel to local subrecipient sites as needed.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000, 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 options – 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

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. NWF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

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