Job Tag: Law/Policy

Position Summary:

The Environmental Advocacy Clinic at Vermont Law & Graduate School is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor of Law to supervise and teach clinic students working on litigation and advocacy matters addressing important environmental and natural resources issues. An applicant should have an enthusiasm for working with law students who are eager to learn and practice skills.

Essential Functions and Principal Accountabilities:

Collaborate with clients, prospective clients, and Clinic Director to develop and maintain docket of student-centered litigation and advocacy matters addressing important environmental and natural resources issues.
Take primary responsibility for all aspects of their EAC matters, including litigation and administrative proceedings.
Collaborate with and mentor more junior attorneys (when requested).
Work with other professors to develop and teach practical legal skills to student clinicians.
Develop, update, and teach seminars.
Facilitate case reviews.
Supervise multiple student clinicians each semester (fall, spring, and summer).
Collaborate and work with technical experts as needed.
Manage positive relationships with co-counsel, clients, and partners.
Work with the press and help develop communication strategies where appropriate.
Attend and present at relevant conferences.
Attend and participate in faculty, e-faculty, and clinical faculty meetings.
Participate actively in the dynamic VLGS law school environment, including collaboration with other law school programs.

Requirements

Required Education, Skills and Experience:

Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
Must be a licensed attorney who is active and a member in good standing in Vermont or has the ability to waive into Vermont for bar licensing purposes.
5-10 years or more of relevant legal advocacy experience, with substantial weight given to environmental litigation and administrative proceeding experience.
Understanding of and appreciation for inclusion, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints.
Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex legal matters, including litigation, and manage partners, students, and co-counsel effectively without extensive supervision.
Understanding of and ability to navigate within a Windows/Microsoft Office platform, primarily using Outlook, Calendar, and Microsoft Teams. Willingness to learn and use VLGS-specific learning management systems such as ExamSoft, Canvas, and others.
Ability to maintain relationships with diverse partners.
Ability to supervise students.
Clinical or teaching experience preferred.
Understanding of and appreciation of environmental justice considerations in environmental litigation and advocacy preferred. Good team member, interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor.

For more than 30 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The Energy Modernization Project is new initiative that aims to secure decarbonization policies to advance clean energy technologies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The project’s work will center on policies that accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, deploy offshore wind energy production, and modernize electricity grids to increase their capacity to deploy new renewable energy resources.

Position Overview

The senior officer, clean grid and energy, will serve as a lead expert on decarbonization. The senior officer is responsible for overseeing research on the economic and social impacts of carbon reduction policies, and serves as a subject matter expert to internal and external stakeholders including with government, industry and stakeholders. Reporting to the Director, the senior officer works with colleagues to develop and manage a broad array of research projects, collaborates on research design with external contractors and grantees, and informs power and transportation policy development and strategy.

The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible for up to 60% telework from home, however other locations and/or remote work in the U.S. may be considered.

Responsibilities

Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.
Lead strategic thinking for Pew’s climate mitigation efforts and maintain wide-ranging knowledge of pertinent research and in-depth understanding of the decarbonization space.
Provide technical expertise to external stakeholders and state and federal government officials through written or oral testimony, research, white papers, or other convenings.
Manage a portfolio of research projects by collaborating on research design, tracking project deliverables and deadlines, ensuring coordination of activities with colleagues, and identifying emerging communications opportunities as needed.
Represent the project with external stakeholders at conferences and other expert opportunities and with national and state media.
Identify research gaps and needs in targeted states related to the economic and social impact of decarbonization policies.

Minimum requirements

Applies effective qualitative analytical skills to synthesize large amounts of information quickly and summarize findings effectively, identify gaps in research and policy analysis, and develop ideas for research products that generate broad interest.
Deep knowledge and experience working in the decarbonization research or policy space.
Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.
Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.
Strong strategic and analytical skills applied to climate mitigation and decarbonization issues.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Ten years of applicable experience.

Surfrider Foundation is looking for an attorney to join our Legal Department. This is a full time employee with at least three to seven years of relevant legal experience preferred. A Juris Doctorate degree from a U.S. law school and bar certification from a U.S. state where Surfrider conducts mission work are required.

Description: Surfrider Foundation seeks a talented and dedicated full time attorney to join the Legal Department as a Legal Associate, to work alongside the legal team and to report to the Senior Legal Director. The successful candidate will be an attorney with excellent analytical and communications skills, along with a strong commitment to protecting coastal areas. This position will work towards fulfillment of the organization’s mission of “protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all peopleâ€ by advancing our legal campaigns and assisting with in-house counsel duties. Surfrider Foundation engages in litigation, as well as legislative and policy advocacy, at the forefront of ocean and coastal law. This team member will assist our Senior Legal Associate and Senior Legal Director with an array of legal issues facing our organization, including a wide range of legal, programmatic, and administrative work undertaken by our nationwide grassroots network of 80 local Chapters and over 130 school clubs. The Legal Associate position will involve development of solutions through legal strategies to address coastal threats at the local, state and national level, including impediments to beach access, water pollution, offshore energy development, oil spill response, plastic pollution, climate adaptation and nature-based solutions to rising sea levels.

This position will be responsible for leading litigation and legal advocacy campaigns; analysis and execution of litigation strategy; reviewing, commenting on, and drafting legislative and other policy language; testifying before administrative and legislative bodies; and working with our staff and grassroots Chapter network and coalition partners to promote healthy and accessible beaches. This position will advise and provide leadership to Surfrider staff and chapters on legal campaigns, strategies and solutions, and work with outside counsel, experts, legal advisors and coalition legal teams, while managing litigation. We are seeking a candidate who works well in a team setting and is a collegial colleague. The ideal applicant is not only bright and thoughtful, but also enthusiastic and motivated to address pressing issues facing our coasts and ocean.

Reports to: Senior Legal Director

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will assist in advancing organizational priorities, with primary responsibility for some matters, while also working collaboratively with outside counsel, staff, and Chapter members of the Surfrider Foundation.

Further duties include:

Assist in creation and execution of legal strategies to advance the Surfrider mission;
Collaborate with coalition partners to advance campaign work;
Perform duties with self-sufficiency and resourcefulness, as well as thoughtful collaboration, when required;
Advise Surfrider headquarters staff on questions related to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and related matters that arise;
Advocate for coastal conservation measures at the national, state and local level, including through litigation, administrative advocacy and legislative work; and
Engage in public outreach and communication through the Surfrider Foundation website, action alerts, blogging, media responses, Chapters conferences and meetings, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

A Juris Doctorate from a U.S. law school and current bar admission in a state where Surfrider conducts mission-related work is required.
3 to 7 years’ experience with environmental litigation and advocacy, with a focus on coastal issues is preferred.
An effective team member with strong written and oral advocacy, research, analysis, and campaign and leadership skills, including a track record of demonstrated success and a commitment to environmental protection.
A bright, creative individual who has a strong work ethic, sound judgment and ability to work well in a collegial setting.
Willingness to travel to campaign locations and in assistance to grassroots chapters around the nation is preferred.
A supportive and collaborative colleague, able to contribute towards the overall positive culture at Surfrider Foundation.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Category Level: Legal Associate (Legal Department Member reporting to Senior Legal Director)

Salary Range: $75,000 Minimum – $113,000 Maximum

About BPI: BPI is the leading authority on compostable products and packaging in North America and helps keep food and other organics out of landfills by creating composter confidence in the BPI-certified compostable products they choose to accept. As a science-driven nonprofit, BPI advocates for a shift to the circular economy through its Certification, Education, and Advocacy programs. BPI’s compostability certification has over 500 member companies and over 19,000 certified items listed in our searchable online product catalog. www.bpiword.org.

BPI values diversity in background and experience, continuously building a welcoming and inclusive work culture. BPI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate.

Job Responsibilities Include:

1. Work collaboratively as a member of the Certification Team to execute the BPI Certification process with an assigned portfolio of BPI Member Companies, with tasks including, but not limited to:

a. Manage complex certification processes from start to finish:

Manage certifications, recertifications, and modifications efficiently and carefully from inquiry to completion according to defined procedures and timeframes;
Manage sublicenses efficiently and carefully from inquiry to completion according to defined procedures and timeframes;
Communicate with BPI’s technical reviewer clearly and concisely via email, project management platforms, and meetings to answer questions and resolve issues to keep projects moving through the process;
Send, receive, and review documents (e.g., application, confidential disclosure agreement, license agreement) for accuracy and completeness;
Upload and organize information in BPI’s files according to protocol, while observing strict confidentiality rules;
Interact with BPI’s database to enter data (e.g., product lists, contact information), review data for accuracy against information received from members, create customized documents for download (e.g., certificates, sublicense agreements), and extract data for reports

b. Provide high quality customer service and accurate information to prospective and current applicants and BPI Members:

Respond to email and phone inquiries from current and prospective applicants, explaining the requirements and benefits of the certification program;
Distill and communicate complex information to a diverse, international audience;
Conduct an annual member review with each assigned member company;
Upload, maintain, shepherd, and track projects in project management platforms and keep applicants informed as projects move through the process;
Create customized BPI Certification Marks using Adobe Illustrator

c. Proactively update and maintain current certifications to maintain compliance with program:

Support accurate invoicing and company and certificate status by conducting research for annual invoicing, aging receivables, and quarterly reconciliations and providing input for monthly team meetings with the Business Manager;
Review certified product and packaging artwork files showing the use of the BPI Certification Mark for compliance with the terms of the BPI License Agreement;
Follow protocol to terminate certificates;
Pursue identified trademark violations

2. Work closely with the Certification Manager and Certification Team by:

Participate in weekly video chats to review current projects, address issues that arise, etc.;
Participate in team and staff meetings multiple times per week;
Provide recommendations on systems and technology improvements for the database, searchable catalog, website, etc.;
Provide recommendations on process changes and improvements;
Attend quarterly in-person staff meetings and retreats;
Assist with training new team members

3. Perform additional duties as assigned.

Compensation:

$52,500 – 57,500 starting salary for the position (plus bonus potential)

Benefits:

401k with employer match up to 5%, paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave, volunteer days, birthday), health/dental/vision insurance, and monthly health/wellness and composting stipends. 

To Apply:

Send a resume to hi****@******ld.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions have been filled. Please indicate how you found the job posting (BPI’s Website, LinkedIn, etc.) in your application email.

The Senior Agriculture Policy Manager (Manager) plans and executes policy analysis, advocacy, and project implementation under the Agriculture & Water Restoration sections of the Alliance’s strategy. The Manager implements work across the Basin – with a particular emphasis in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin – to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals. They are the lead liaison to state and local decision-makers, project partners, and stakeholders in Ohio and will grow and nurture similar relationships in other Alliance focus states. The Manager maintains a working knowledge of Ohio agriculture and source water programs and policies as they affect the Great Lakes and uses that knowledge to recommend new opportunities within the Alliance’s programs. The Manager ensures timely and high-quality execution of relevant Alliance strategic plan deliverables and partners with a variety of other staff members to support internal work planning, external communications, and grant proposals and reports.

A typical day at the Alliance is often self-directed and is based on balancing immediate tasks – tracking the status of a relevant bill in the Ohio Legislature– and longer-term projects within the Agriculture and Restoration Program, like quantifying the costs to meet water quality targets in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. These short-term and longer-ranging projects and tasks are developed in close coordination with the Director based on the goals under the Alliance’s strategic plan, but the Manager is afforded the flexibility and autonomy to develop their own approach to advance these goals on a day-to-day basis. Our policy work is highly collaborative, and the Manager should feel comfortable engaging – independently – with legislative offices and agency staff as well as facilitating meetings with stakeholders and partners on a regular basis.
Responsibilities

Planning & Policy

Work in collaboration with the Agriculture and Restoration Policy Director (Director), to assist with the implementation of policy, governance, and funding mechanisms to support the reduction of agricultural pollution across the Great Lakes region.
Manage relationships with the state of Ohio Administration, lawmakers, and regulatory agencies. Including tracking relevant legislation and administrative programs.
Track the implementation of the Maumee River (OH) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and the overall changes in water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin.

Identify emerging issues and programmatic reform opportunities to improve surface and groundwater quality in Ohio and Michigan
In coordination with the Director, assist in advancing policy and advocacy efforts in Ohio and Michigan with an emphasis on the Western Lake Erie Basin.
Identify trends in mission areas, create fundable concepts and leverage work and ideas for increased organizational impact related to agricultural pollution reduction.

Outreach

Build issue-focused networks of key stakeholders with a focus in Ohio.

Be a leadership voice for the Alliance and for the Great Lakes in Ohio and across the region.
Create and conduct external outreach opportunities, such as public speaking, conferences, and presentations.
Serve as an Alliance liaison to the Ohio environmental community, identifying advocacy and partnership opportunities and engaging other Alliance staff as appropriate.
Work with Communications and Engagement team to determine and take advantage of opportunities to communicate to the media and Alliance supporters about the Alliance’s work in the Basin.

Administrative

Create and keep current Alliance case statement supporting engagement in Ohio.
Assist in the development of short- and long-term work plans for Ohio and Michigan
Create opportunities to add strategic capacity to Alliance work through affiliate programs, fellowships, and staff recruitment when possible.
Contribute content to grant proposals and reports

Knowledge/Skills

Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree preferred, with at least seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in managing natural resource stewardship, environmental organizing and coalition building, community-based planning or similar field.
Specific knowledge on state and federal agricultural and water quality policies and programs.
Familiarity with the process of policy development and advocacy, as well as addressing the barriers and opportunities for policy implementation to be successful.
Established network and relationship portfolio including stakeholders, experts, influencers, and decision-makers in Ohio and around the Great Lakes region
Excellent diplomacy skills – the ability to read and respond productively to the needs of different stakeholders at any time is essential.
Unwavering commitment to diversity, justice, equity and inclusion. Adhere to and exemplify these principles in addition to our values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism.
Ability to communicate a working knowledge of Great Lakes issues with confidence to diverse audiences.
Excellent listening, writing, and speaking skills. Must be able to speak publicly in a clear, compelling, and engaging manner.
Able to identify and engage target constituencies that are most likely to have an affinity for the Great Lakes and motivate them to act on that affinity.
Desire and ability to both lead and work as part of a staff team located in different offices with varying types of expertise and priorities.
Ability to pivot strategies and tactics to an ever-changing policy landscape

Job Parameters

This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. Salary range starts at $75,000 annually.
Benefits include medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook). Employees start with 3 weeks vacation annually + PTO; Fidelity 401(k) with a match of up to 6% of salary after one month of employment.
The Manager position can be based in any of the Great Lakes states, but a preference is given to those candidates based within the state of Ohio.

Organizational Overview
Established in 1999, Pure Earth (www.pureearth.org) is an international non-profit environmental health organization dedicated to protecting people from the harms of toxic pollutants. Pure Earth focus on preventing human exposure to the two chemicals that take the greatest toll on human health: lead and mercury. These toxins travel the globe through air, water, soil, and products causing permanent brain damage and other illnesses, particularly among children. Lead poisoning is most prevalent, affecting 1/3 of the world’s children, causing IQ loss, increased violence, and more than 900,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease. To date, Pure Earth has implemented projects to prevent or clean-up toxic pollution in over 40 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Through its headquarters in New York and its eight offices around the world, Pure Earth collaborates with local and global partners in the public, private, and civil society sectors to sustainably address the root causes of lead and mercury pollution. This work includes field projects that tangibly prevent or remediate pollution, as well as research, awareness raising, policy development, and advocacy to foster systemic changes.
Director of Policy and Advocacy

Pure Earth recently secured support to expand efforts to educate decision-makers within the US Government on the issue of lead poisoning and to encourage US leadership in the prevention of lead and mercury poisoning in LMICs, as well as domestically from goods originating in LMICs.

Specifically, the new position of Director of Policy and Advocacy has been created to develop a campaign that achieves the following outcomes:

— US Policymakers have an increased understanding that: 1) lead poisoning takes an astonishing toll on public health and economic development in the US, and particularly in LMICs; 2) lead exposure in the US is increasingly the result of foods and consumer products that are imported from LMICs; and 3) to reduce childhood lead poisoning at home and abroad, attention and resources must be directed towards solving this problem at the sources (in LMICs) by reducing the use of lead in products/foods and improving industrial processes such as car battery recycling.

— Relevant USG agencies have the necessary mandate and support to increase their engagement in international lead pollution and poisoning issues and make progress in advancing the recommendations that emerged from the November 2022 G7 workshop on the subject, titled “Lead as a major threat for human health and the environment – an integrated approach strengthening cooperation toward solutions.â€

— Congress provides USAID with both a mandate and the necessary resources to develop new programs that increase our communal understanding of the prevalence, severity, and causes of childhood lead poisoning in LMICs, and that address the root causes of lead poisoning.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director and based in Washington, DC, the Director of Policy and Advocacy will develop relationships, advocacy strategies, policy positions, events, funding opportunities, and collaborative efforts with US Government agencies and legislators to support international pollution mitigation efforts. Responsibilities include:

• Assist in the development of policy positions that will resonate with senior USG officials, including within donor agencies.

• Organize briefing events on the Hill and elsewhere involving Congressional and USG agency decision-makers, as well as media engagement as appropriate.

• Convene stakeholder groups (federal, state, local, foreign government representatives; industry leaders)

• Organize workshops for legislative aides and agency officials (i.e., EPA, FDA, USAID, CDC, Department of Energy, Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture) in charge of environmental / health regulations and grant-making

• Coordinate with other relevant organizations that work on international lead poisoning issues or domestic issues that have international links, such as the Center for Global Development

• Work with relevant US Government agencies to explore the possibility of a Multilateral Environmental Agreement that addresses lead as a chemical pollutant, similar to existing agreements that address mercury, the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, and other chemical pollution issues.

• Represent thought leadership in lead policy and advocacy in written communications (e.g., articles, social media) and external forums (e.g., conferences and webcasts)

• Draft testimony for congressional hearings, policy statements and letters to Members of Congress in pursuit of stopping lead poisoning generated by international sources

• Attend relevant congressional hearings and outside conferences

Qualifications & Experience

• Washington, DC 20036: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

• Minimum of 7 years advocacy and/or public policy development experience within the fields of environment, public health, or international development on Capitol Hill

• Familiarity with environmental health issues, including lead pollution and lead

• Success conceptualizing and planning well-attended events targeting governmental officials and policy-makers

• A proven network of bipartisan congressional and agency contacts and ability to influence and impact policy change

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings

• Strong interpersonal communications skills

• Background in tracking, analyzing, and advocating for cross-sector policies on global health, environmental and/or international development issues

• Graduate degree in environmental sciences, public health, epidemiology, or other relevant field, or equivalent level of experience, is a plus. Bachelor’s degree required

Benefits
• Compensation: Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with prior experience

How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume/CV to jo**@*******th.org.

Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo is a California law firm with an exceptional reputation and extensive range of experience in environmental, natural resources, climate change, energy, utility, land use, local government, building and construction and labor law. With offices in South San Francisco and Sacramento, Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo represents labor organizations, trade associations, environmental, consumer and community groups and other non-profit associations.

The firm pioneered the representation of workers and labor organizations in the enforcement of public health and safety laws, in the environmental review of projects with environmental, worker and community impacts, and in building, energy and utility industry regulation and policy. For over 40 years, Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo has developed a remarkable track record of success in advocating for sustainable development that avoids or mitigates environmental harm and public service impacts while maximizing community benefits.

THE POSITION

Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo has an immediate opening for a legal assistant to perform work supporting our environmental, land use and labor practice. The position is open in our South San Francisco office, combined with remote work. The position involves assisting attorneys with case investigation and management, preparing case summaries and client reports, and interacting with public agencies. The successful candidate must have the following qualifications:

Experience:

• Experience in permitting, land use planning, real estate, or construction project management.

• Experience working with databases and web-based research.

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).

• Well organized and able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively supporting multiple attorneys.

• Ability to multi-task and be a team player.

• Excellent word processing skills with an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and the opportunity to work in a casual and congenial work environment. The salary range for this position is between $55,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience.

To be considered, please submit a cover letter explaining your relevant experience, a resume and your references to jl******@************ll.com.

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking two Policy Associates; one based in Eastern Rural Nebraska and one in Western or Southern rural Minnesota who will work to identify policy gaps, conduct research on potential solutions, and work to promote policy priorities related to clean energy issues.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about clean energy and economic development. They will be adept at community outreach and comfortable building relationships. They will engage with constituents and other stakeholders to understand challenges and develop solutions.
Who We Are

The Center for Rural Affairs is a dynamic, energetic non-profit organization working to build a better rural future for all. We’ve done this work for more than 49 years and we do it from rural places with a flexible work environment. Our work creates opportunities for beginning farmers, new business owners, and first-time advocates. The Center’s work is rooted in principles of diversity and inclusion. We believe that a diversity of people and ideas strengthens our work, our workplace, and our communities. We celebrate this diversity and we are committed to advancing practices that create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and we welcome and support all applicants and team members. Additional information can be found at www.cfra.org. Check to see if our Mission and Values match yours, and read about our work demonstrating how awesome the Center is!
What You’ll Do

The Policy Associate reports to the Policy Manager and will work to identify policy gaps, build relationships, and solve challenges through collaboration. The Policy Associate is responsible for the following:

You will identify policy gaps and potential solutions.
You will track clean energy development in your target region.
You will engage with constituents and other stakeholders to gather input and feedback.
You will engage with elected officials and their staff to educate and promote policy priorities.
You will author reports, fact sheets, blogs, opinion pieces, and action alerts.
You will build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and other key stakeholders.
You will contribute to work plan development and grant proposals to support policy work.
You will draft organizing appeals to grassroots constituents including an initial contact email, action alert, or call script.

Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves)

To be successful in this job, you will excel in five areas:

Relationship-building: You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with team members in the program, across the organization, and with a diverse group of stakeholders. You know how to build alliances with marginalized communities, such as people of color, people with disabilities, low-income families, military veterans, and immigrants, and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests.
Drive to achieve results: You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. You set a high bar and meet it because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions. You plan backward and involve stakeholders appropriately.
Inclusive leadership and management: You approach leadership with a collaborative mindset-mindset of “power withâ€ rather than “power overâ€ and regularly include others in decision-making. You seek out those who have the experience to guide, advise, and plan how you approach the work.
Setting and managing priorities: You have experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. You use resources wisely and can provide clear direction to staff, partners, consultants, and volunteers to leverage time and talent for impact.
Commitment to racial equity and social justice: You recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in addressing disparities, and you consistently amplify community voices to advocate for more equitable policy solutions. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

If you were here right now, you would be:

Meeting regularly with the Policy Manager to develop strategies to meet program priorities and work plan goals.
Using your advocacy skills to influence key policy-making decisions.
Providing clear communications to unique audiences through reports, white papers, and opinion pieces that you researched and authored.
Building relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and grassroots constituents.
Meeting with and educating elected officials and their staff.

You have experience with the following:

Keeping up-to-date on developments and diving into the details.
Researching, uncovering resources, and getting answers that impact issues.
Writing opinion pieces, white papers, and/or reports.
Educating, advocating, and advancing ideas or issues.

What Else You Should Know

This is a full-time non-exempt position based in an existing, newly established, or home office in Eastern Rural Nebraska or Western or Southern Rural Minnesota. This position will require occasional travel by car throughout the state of Nebraska or Minnesota to meet with communities and individuals and include both overnight and out-of-state travel on occasion. This position has a salary range of $46,000-$55,000 with top-notch benefits that have a cash value of $10,000 to $29,500, depending on family status and tenure with the Center. Benefits such as: 97% employer-paid family health insurance that includes a contribution to a Health Savings Account, retirement options, a fantastic Employee Assistance Program, 12 paid holidays plus paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, Friday Summer Hours, and vacation and sick pay.

The Center for Rural Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify, is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals, and takes steps to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is seeking a full-time Policy Manager to join our team. This position will develop policy positions and lead programs to protect the waters, wildlife, and habitats of the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds. The ideal candidate will have strong research, interpersonal, and advocacy skills, in addition to a passion for clean water, healthy communities, and resilient ecosystems.

This position reports to the Executive Director.

Organizational Background

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper protects and restores the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds through science-based advocacy, public education and engagement, field work, and legal action. Throughout its 20+ years, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper has secured significant achievements as a leading advocate protecting California’s spectacular coastal areas that stretch from the Gaviota Coast to the Ventura River, and offshore to the Channel Islands.

Position Responsibilities

Design and manage programs and projects that are informed by science, engage community members, and advance Channelkeeper’s policy objectives and strategies.
Research and develop policy positions to protect Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds from pollution, habitat loss, climate change impacts, and other threats.
Build, strengthen, and sustain relationships with a broad range of individuals and groups, including elected and appointed officials, agency personnel, community allies, Tribal nations, Indigenous Peoples, business leaders, and others to build support for organization’s policy objectives and strategies.
Research, analyze and write comment letters and position statements, including comment letters on legislation, environmental impact statements, environmental impact reports, stormwater or wastewater discharge permits, administrative orders, and other regulatory actions that affect Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds.
Represent Channelkeeper at public hearings, meetings, workshops, and events at the city, county, region, and state levels.
Track agendas for key legislative bodies and government agencies and work with community networks to encourage participation by others.
Support Channelkeeper’s litigation.
Develop and maintain broad-based knowledge of key environmental issues affecting Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds, including scientific research, local political and policy context, and promising policy solutions.
Research, write, and work with communications team to develop internal and external materials, such as factsheets, newsletters, social media, and website content.
Support Channelkeeper’s development work by identifying funding opportunities, drafting grant proposals and reports, and other activities.

Qualifications

A minimum of 3 years of experience in public policy, environmental advocacy, environmental/marine science, or relevant fields.
Substantive understanding of legislative process, as well as working knowledge of water laws and regulations, climate policy, and environmental justice issues.
Proven ability to manage projects.
Experience building community partnerships.
Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
Must be able to multi-task and be effective at organizing tasks.
Strong analytic, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
Keen attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to work productively and collaboratively with a diverse range of individuals and with colleagues as a leader and team member.
Enthusiastic about Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s mission and impact.
Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for meetings and events.

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for the Policy Manager position is $65,000 to $73,000 annually. Channelkeeper offers health, dental, and vision benefits, as well as a retirement matching contribution. Paid vacation and sick leave are provided. We also observe 10 paid holidays. This is a full-time position based in Santa Barbara, California with an opportunity to work a hybrid schedule.

Send a cover letter and resume as a single PDF to: ca*****@**ck.org and include “Policy Manager position applicationâ€ as the email subject.