Job Tag: Law/Policy

Ducks Unlimited seeks a motivated college student or recent college graduate to serve in our Washington, DC office as an intern for the spring 2025 session. This person will assist in all facets of carrying out the public policy priorities of this office, including but not limited to assisting with major policy and fundraising events, tracking legislation, attending Congressional hearings and representing Ducks Unlimited at coalition and partner meetings when necessary.

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. This intern will play a critical role in the success of DU’s governmental affairs and policy efforts that directly contribute to achieving the organization’s habitat mission. Candidates must be highly organized and have the ability to manage several tasks at once without requiring extensive supervision.

Qualifications:

Active college transcript or bachelor’s degree in political science, natural resources, agriculture, or preferred related field, if applicant is a college graduate.
Familiarity with or keen interest in learning about congressional and federal regulatory processes.
Knowledge of, and interest in wildlife, water resources, waterfowl, agriculture, Ducks Unlimited and/or outdoor recreation-related conservation issues.
Practice in critical thinking and willingness to learn.
Experience with Microsoft Suite.

Responsibilities:

Manage and assist with the logistics related to DU events held in DC, including advocacy fly-ins, Capitol Hill banquets and other receptions and events.
Support the governmental affairs team with scheduling Congressional and Administration meetings, conducting policy research, and providing general support for all public policy activities.
Assist in the daily administration and organization of the DC governmental affairs office.
Assist the team in developing internal and external communications such as press releases.”
Provide administrative and logistical support for internal and external meetings, materials preparation and tasks related to meeting follow-up.
Provide staff support to DU’s volunteer Public Policy Committee.
Support governmental affairs team lobbying efforts through developing, implementing and tracking policy-related information.
Other office duties as assigned.

Maine Farmland Trust is a member-powered non-profit that protects farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming.

The Annual Fund Manager is an integral member of the Engagement Team. Working closely with the team and colleagues across the organization, the Annual Fund Manager is responsible for the strategizing, management, and analysis of MFT’s direct mail campaigns, which include regular annual fund solicitations to acquire, renew, and upgrade support from individuals and businesses at multiple times throughout the year, as well as special project campaigns, typically 2-3 times per year. They coordinate messaging and themes with the communications team to highlight donor impact and increase engagement. They carry a portfolio of approximately 100 donors, working with colleagues and the Board of Directors to connect them to MFT’s work and engage them in additional, renewed, or increased giving. This individual also helps to identify and execute event strategies in cooperation with others on the Engagement team; participates in other cultivation and fundraising events to help nurture and broaden the MFT community; and represents the organization at outreach events such as fairs and conferences.

Location: This position can be based out of Maine Farmland Trust’s Portland or Belfast office, or can be remote but must remain based in Maine.

Salary Range: $65,000 – $72,500

Are you passionate about developing communications materials and managing projects to advance energy modernization and reduce the impact of weather-related catastrophes on the U.S. economy and communities? If so, this is the right opportunity for you.

We are seeking a communications professional to join a dynamic multi-partner team as a communications officer. This position will be responsible for developing and executing strategic communications plans, drafting supporting materials, and conducting media relations outreach. The position holder will be a tenacious “reporter” seeking out stories, details, and facts, skilled at turning complex information into understandable content, and able to work collaboratively with state and national partners.

In this role, you will:

Develop, manage, and implement communications plans to effectively and strategically amplify Pew’s disaster resilience and clean energy work, as well as supporting work by its partners, and impacted or targeted communities.

Collaborate closely with partner organizations to identify and coordinate the external dissemination of news and stories.

Identify, develop, and place stories and announcements with regional and national press for the resilience or energy modernization projects.

Draw on strong interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as writing and editing abilities to assist with content, special projects, and events.

Energy Modernization Work

The energy modernization project works with state and federal policymakers to advance the nation’s transition to electric vehicles; build a clean, reliable electric grid; and expand renewable energy solutions, such as offshore wind. Pew advocates for state and federal policy change, conducts research to address critical gaps, and convenes and mobilizes key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Collaborates closely with program, communications staff and others at partner organizations to co-develop and amplify materials to support partners’ goals.

Writes and edits visually compelling communications materials such as blogs, fact sheets, communications toolkits, social media posts, press releases, and other materials for public dissemination.

Identifies, develops, and pitches newsworthy stories and its partners to media outlets; mentors program staff on media relations tools and best practices, as needed.

Tracks metrics and contributes to reports by summarizing key communications activities and analytics.

Identifies and creates opportunities for Pew spokespeople to engage stakeholder groups at online and in person events.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, and generally, eight years of experience in positions with communications responsibilities, with considerable experience in project management required.

Demonstrated experience working in coalitions or alongside multiple partner organizations.

Demonstrated experience in state and local policy advocacy communications.

Outstanding writing and editing abilities; skilled at developing straightforward, clear, and persuasive content.

Demonstrated experience writing story-driven content about complex technical subjects and projects in a variety of formats (e.g., newsletters, case studies, news stories, op-eds, blogs, videos, photo essays, one-pagers).

Earned media experience with existing relationships with media outlets in the clean energy or disaster resilience sector a plus.

Proven time- and project-management skills, including an ability to juggle and meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization and setting priorities effectively.

Demonstrated experience in environmental or clean energy communications, preferred.

Travel

This position may include domestic travel to attend meetings and conferences.

Salary Range
$97,800 USD – $109,300 USD

We’re looking for a passionate environmental analyst to join our team of dedicated and resourceful water experts in support of NEIWPCC’s South Portland office programs. In this role, you will work collaboratively with internal and external partners to:

Coordinate initial certification and renewal activities related to wastewater operation and nonpoint source erosion control.
Support the planning, development and execution of training activities, conferences and workgroup meetings, host remote and in-person sessions and create self-paced training products.
Develop work plans, budgets, and contract/grant amendments, and track specific budget elements and contracts.
Assist with modernizing processes and transitioning legacy systems in accordance with organizational standards.
Develop communication products and newsletters, serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries, and perform general office administrative duties.

What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will have:

A degree in environmental science or a related field, and related professional experience.
Possess a NEIWPCC Member State (ME, VT, RI, MA, CT, NY or NH) Wastewater Operator’s Certification (Class II or higher) or be capable of earning that certification within the first eighteen months of employment.
Experience with word processing, database management, website management and spreadsheets, and competence with Microsoft Office products (including Excel, Access and Publisher), Constant Contact, and Adobe Acrobat.
The ability to build collaborative relationships, to work with shifting priorities, and a willingness to learn new tools and systems.

What We Offer

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $50,000 to $60,000. NEIWPCC offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees:

75% premium coverage for employee and family PPO health plan with dental and vision.
Yearly retirement contribution of 10% of annual base salary, regardless of employee contribution.
15 paid vacation and 15 paid sick days that rollover, as well as paid holidays and volunteer leave.
Tuition reimbursement and professional development funding opportunities.
Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Position Logistics

This full-time position will work 8 hours per day and is based out of NEIWPCC’s office in South Portland, ME. Duties will be performed in an office setting with occasional travel, for which a valid driver’s license and private means of transportation are required. After six months, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule, subject to approval and program needs.

The West Virginia Water Research Institute Department at West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for a Water Research Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The incumbent plays a pivotal role in supporting the coordination and implementation of West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) programs, including the Three Rivers QUEST (3RQ) program and acid mine drainage (AMD) programs. Responsibilities include assisting with grant and report writing, planning and conducting field sampling events, and collaborating with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and various watershed groups to assess pollution sources, evaluate watersheds, and implement remediation projects. The incumbent also engages in various aspects of all WVWRI programs, encompassing program implementation, outreach, and reporting.

The incumbent assists in the coordination and implementation of WVWRI programs, providing essential support across multiple projects. They stay up to date on regional water issues and seek out new research or restoration projects to engage in, assisting in the preparation of related grant proposals. Field sampling is routinely conducted, with data collected and analyzed to support program goals. Collaboration with state and federal agencies, other researchers, and nonprofit groups is a key function of WVWRI’s work and the success of the incumbent. Outreach efforts involve assisting with the development of online maps and other materials to share project outcomes, giving presentations to diverse audiences and fostering strong connections with state, federal, and grassroots organizations as well as the general public. Under the direction of the Project Manager, the incumbent pursues opportunities for funding and program expansion.

In terms of supervision and coordination, the incumbent provides oversight and supervision to undergraduate student workers, ensuring productive and educational experiences. They coordinate field-related activities, offering direction and support to field teams to ensure efficient operations. Additionally, they deliver program support services to internal and external clients, responding to inquiries and independently resolving moderate to complex issues. Responsibilities involve exercising judgment, resourcefulness, and originality in handling diverse tasks, applying or adapting available guides and precedents as necessary.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a natural resources-related field
A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:
Water quality research and developing grant proposals
Volunteer organizations
Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Carbon180 is seeking a director of policy to lead our growing ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) work around all approaches for enhancing the uptake of carbon dioxide by the ocean. This individual will be responsible for developing and executing Carbon180’s federal ocean policy strategy in partnership with the senior leadership team. Additionally, they will build, manage and lead a team of policy experts to propose and draft new policy ideas, identify where Carbon180 can have the greatest impact, engage with coalitions, and perform direct outreach and advocacy to policymakers and agency leadership (including in-person attendance for Hill meetings, conferences, and networking events). This position requires that you live within two hours driving distance of Washington, D.C.

The director of policy will collaborate with the science and innovation team to ensure policy development is rooted in the best available science and addresses real-world barriers faced by on-the-ground practitioners; the environmental justice team to ensure ocean policies are equitable and just; and the government affairs and communications teams to educate policymakers and other key audiences.

This role is also responsible for developing and managing yearly and quarterly policy goals and an associated budget, and working with the development team to meet specified fundraising requirements. The director of policy will report to the senior director of policy and government affairs.

Major Roles + Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of Carbon180’s ocean policy strategy, working with the ocean policy team to set annual, monthly, and weekly priorities aligned to our organizational strategy.

Manage a team of policy staff to accomplish this strategy, identifying hiring needs, running hiring processes, providing day-to-day project support, and supporting individual professional development and mentorship.
Lead the team in building and executing campaigns, including developing novel policy ideas in key issue areas, planning and leading coalition-building and outreach activities, and coordinating with our communications team to develop new content, engage with reporters, leverage social media, and act as the policy lead on other communications tasks.
Represent Carbon180 by participating in events, talking with media personnel, and giving presentations, all towards building high-level relationships across key audiences with organizational resources and other support.
Serve as the lead on ocean-related fundraising in coordination with the director of development and executive director, including building relationships with funders and creating funding proposals.
Manage an annual program budget and related grants.
Drive cross-team collaboration and forecast what specific projects may need for support from the organization.

WHO YOU ARE

Major roles + responsibilities

Our ideal Director of Policy – Ocean believes deeply in our mission. Beyond that:

You actively seek opportunities to dismantle inequitable systems and other harmful corporate norms and are comfortable learning and growing your DEIBJ literacy.
You’re high-impact, low-ego, and kind to yourself and others. Our core values (below) resonate with who you are and what you believe.
You’re a gifted speaker — and an even stronger listener. You’re comfortable in conversation with a variety of stakeholders, from Fortune 500 CEOs, to the Washington Post, to a team of engineers. You can translate ideas across audiences and modes of communication in an organized, thoughtful way.
You inspire and motivate others to action. You build relationships quickly and deftly, and people trust you. You leverage your storytelling skills to elevate the impact of our work in a way that inspires others to action.
You’re a systems thinker and creator. You’re unfazed by ambiguity, and thrive in situations where you get to build something out of nothing, or create order out of chaos. You want to do work that’s never been done before, better than anyone’s ever done it. You build systems that last beyond your tenure in prior roles you’ve held, but you believe nimble systems > bureaucracy any day.
You move fluidly from strategy to execution. You appreciate the big picture and feel inspired to set a bold vision, but you know it’s all in the details. You manage projects fluidly, fiercely prioritize, and track timelines, data, and information in an organized and systematic fashion. You don’t drop balls, miss deadlines, or forget to respond to someone’s inquiry — and you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves to do the work.
You’re a driver of results. You’ve demonstrated the ability to drive results in the pursuit of ambitious goals and you combine your exceptional strategic, analytical, and critical-thinking skills with your penchant to use data to drive decision-making toward achieving impressive outcomes.
You build trust and leverage meaningful relationships to get things done. A relationship-builder at heart, the people you work with trust that you leverage relationships to get things done in a mutually beneficial, non-transactional way. You are both warm and demanding. You do the things you say you will do, hold others accountable, and support the people you engage in the pursuit of our shared goals.

Beyond that, you have:

8+ years of experience in federal policy, including experience in government and/or non-governmental organizations working on ocean and/or climate policy.
Deep understanding of relevant authorizations, appropriations, and agency structures.
Expertise on ocean-based CDR policies, approaches, and markets.
Knowledge about the state of the field and where policy will be most impactful in advancing solutions for ocean-based CDR.
Experience developing and executing successful policy change strategies and campaigns.
Experience managing teams and supervising employees.
Comfort with public speaking and media engagement.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ).

WHAT WE OFFER

Carbon180 is deeply committed to providing market-leading compensation and robust benefits to our employees. Our salaries are in the 70th percentile of the Washington, DC market. We employ an external firm to conduct market analyses every three years, and we are committed to safeguarding internal salary equity. For those reasons, we have a non-negotiation policy on salaries.

The starting salary for this position will be between $178,090 – $194,280, with opportunities for growth up to $242,850.

Carbon180 prides itself on offering benefits and perks to our employees that illustrate how we live our values, including:

36-hour workweeks (we close at 1 pm every Friday) and dedicated no-meeting time each week.
A remote-first flexible work culture.
Four weeks of PTO, three weeks of paid org-wide breaks including one week in the summer and two weeks in the winter, four weeks of sick leave, and five floating holidays/personal days.
100% company-covered insurance premiums for medical/dental/vision/long-term disability for you and your dependents.
Quarterly health and wellness, book, and learning and development stipends.

MISSION: For more than 60 years, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife, and future.

ABOUT: The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a leading environmental conservation organization dedicated to protecting the water, land and wildlife which make our home such a special place. For more than 60 years, the Conservancy has worked with community leaders, businesses, partner agencies and individuals to find a sensible balance between the demands of a growing population and the preservation of our natural treasures.

PURPOSE OF JOB: Conservancy of Southwest Florida seeks a dynamic and strategic professional to serve as the Senior Water Policy Advisor. The role focuses on providing primary leadership and technical expertise for Conservancy water resources policy and Everglades Restoration, focusing on Western Everglades projects. The selected candidate will provide technical expertise, lead advocacy efforts, and build meaningful partnerships to drive impactful environmental change. If you’re passionate about shaping policies, working collaboratively, and delivering tangible outcomes, this is your opportunity.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy and Representation:
• Act as the primary spokesperson and technical expert on water resources, serving as a liaison between the Conservancy, the community, elected officials, media, and stakeholder groups.
• Advocate for sustainable water resource policies at local, state, and federal levels through lobbying, education, and relationship-building.
• Represent the Conservancy at public meetings, hearings, and governmental gatherings, providing expert testimony and media commentary on relevant issues.
Policy Development and Analysis:
• Monitor and analyze issues related to water resources, Everglades Restoration projects and the Greater Western Everglades ecosystem.
• Develop evidence-based policy recommendations through technical research, and expert collaboration.
• Create white papers, comment letters, position statements, and advocacy materials to support policy initiatives.
• Provide input on legislative advocacy priorities and strategies.
Program Management and Leadership:
• In collaboration with the Environmental Policy team, provide input to inform the Director of Policy’s hiring decisions.
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of water resource-related projects and programs, including consultant management.
• Oversee and review staff work related to water policy, providing mentorship, technical guidance, and clear direction to meet organizational goals.
• Ensure quality control and alignment of staff deliverables with the Conservancy’s mission and objectives.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with governmental and non-governmental entities, advocates, experts, and partner organizations.
• Participate in environmental committees and boards to represent the Conservancy’s interests and advance shared goals.
• Assist in developing marketing and communication materials to promote policy initiatives across various platforms.
Technical and Data Analysis:
• Conduct comprehensive data analysis to inform policy recommendations and advocacy efforts.
• Compile records, reports, and expert materials to support the Conservancy’s litigation and advocacy strategies.
• Prepare grant applications and reports to secure funding for key initiatives.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, environmental studies, natural sciences, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience in a relevant field will also be considered. A Master’s degree or in a related discipline is a plus but not required.
• At least five years of experience in a related field with a Master’s degree, or seven years of relevant professional experience without a Master’s degree. Diverse pathways to acquiring expertise, including work in advocacy, research, fieldwork, or policy development, are valued.
• Familiarity with Florida’s water regulations, ecosystem dynamics, and wetland restoration is highly desired. Candidates with experience in hydrology, environmental policy, or similar disciplines are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with Everglades restoration or related wetland policy issues is beneficial but not mandatory. We welcome candidates with transferable skills and knowledge from similar ecosystems or policy areas.
• Experience working in or collaborating with non-profit organizations, community-based groups, or governmental agencies is helpful.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or similar tools is a plus but not a strict requirement. Candidates eager to learn and apply technical tools are encouraged to apply.

The Climate Policy Analyst 1 will support implementation of several directives to prepare New York State to better withstand the inevitable impacts of a changing climate, including coordination and development of state agency and authority climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans, support for the Interagency Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Work Group, development of climate change adaptation guidance mandated by the Community Risk and Resiliency Act, and development and implementation of climate adaptation and resilience strategies of the U.S. Climate Alliance. The CPA 1/Tr will also assist with all phases of procurement, including development of requests for proposals and other solicitation documents; manage contracts; assist with program evaluation to maximize effectiveness of EPF-funded measures; and provide support to municipal outreach and funding programs. The CPA 1/Tr may be directed to research and report on projects, review data, analyze problems and recommend solutions, communicate with staff from other programs and agencies, engage with stakeholders, and provide written and oral responses to public inquiries.

Qualifications:
Climate Policy Analyst Trainee 1:

A bachelor’s degree or higher in atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, coastal resources management, communications, ecology, economics, ecosystem management, engineering, environmental health, environmental science, environmental studies, forestry, geography, geology, hydrology, marine science, meteorology, natural resources, natural science, physical science, physics, planning, public administration, public policy, public policy and management, science, technology and society; science & technology; sustainability, transportation planning, wildlife science, or zoology.

For Trainee 2 you must also have:

One year of professional experience in the establishment of environmental policy; preparing, implementing, or reviewing climate relevant policies, plans, projects, regulations, or environmental impact statements; preparing climate-relevant materials involving environmental matters; or professional testimony for use in hearings or trials involving environmental matters; or preparing environmental analysis of climate change issues.

For the Full Performance Level, you must also have:

Two years of professional experience in the establishment of environmental policy; preparing, implementing, or reviewing climate relevant policies, plans, projects, regulations or environmental impact statements; preparing climate-relevant materials involving environmental matters; or professional testimony for use in hearings or trials involving environmental matters; or preparing environmental analysis
of climate change issues;

NOTE: A Juris Doctor, master’s or higher level degree in a qualifying field can substitute for one year of professional experience.

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking an Attorney to join our Community Resilience team working to protect New England’s environment for all people. The Attorney will work with a team to develop new policy tools, legal strategies and advocacy approaches directed toward equitable public access to Massachusetts’ coast and climate-resilient waterfront development and infrastructure. This is cutting-edge work that will resonate strongly with any attorney interested in public interest advocacy. This position is based in CLF’s Boston office with some opportunity and flexibility for remote work. The position will be either a Staff Attorney II or Senior Attorney depending on the final candidate’s level of experience.

CLF is dedicated to ensuring that Massachusetts’ waterfronts thrive by being equitable, accessible, and safe from climate change risks. You will be a key player in helping us achieve our mission.

What you’ll do

Devise and execute legal and policy strategies for achieving CLF’s advocacy goals;

Represent CLF in litigation and administrative proceedings;
Develop and present written and oral testimony to legislative bodies, municipalities and state and federal agencies;

Advise community and advocacy groups on legal and policy matters;
Build alliances and coalitions among stakeholders that may include environmental organizations, waterfront users, scientists, public officials, businesses, and others;
Comment on administrative rules, state and federal permits, and other state and federal agency actions;

Write public educational materials, articles, opinion pieces and communicate about advocacy work through news and social media outlets;
Lead project teams and supervise and mentor junior advocates and interns;
Engage in effective and inclusive management practices that support team members and ensure a healthy and inclusive workplace culture;
Contribute to CLF’s strategic priorities and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and organizational excellence;

Assist CLF’s Communications team in delivering advocacy news and key messages to the press, our members, and the public;
Assist CLF’s Development team with fundraising efforts;
Prepare research reports, memos, and presentations;and
Attend occasional evening meetings in Boston.

What you’ll need

We are looking for a motivated attorney who can work both independently and as a productive team member. To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

At least 5 years of relevant experience for Staff Attorney II and 7 years for Senior Attorney;
A passion and commitment to the environment, public health, and/or social justice;
Excellent analytical skills and the ability to put your analysis into writing that is easily understood and to communicate that analysis to a variety of audiences;
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
Ability to take initiative, solve problems, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities in a fast-paced environment;
Commitment to developing new skills and responsibilities;
Commitment to working collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues and partners;

Passion for CLF’s mission;
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
A law degree and active bar membership in Massachusetts in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with local and state permitting and environmental review processes including Boston Article 80, Chapter 91, Wetlands Regulations, and MEPA.
General knowledge of the geography of the greater Boston area.

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Center is seeking a Policy Specialist who is a dynamic individual and creative advocate with strong analytic, oral and written communication skills to support the Center’s many campaigns to protect our oceans, and the marine wildlife that depend upon them, from unsustainable and destructive resource extraction activities. The policy specialist will also work to defend against legislative efforts to weaken or dismantle ocean and marine mammals’ protections by Congress. Additionally, the ocean policy specialist will support the Center’s Alaska program ocean and terrestrial conservation campaigns.

The policy specialist will analyze and respond to congressional legislation related to ocean protection, marine mammals, Alaska conservation and fisheries, and will work to defeat legislation designed to increase extraction and resource development. In particular, the position will focus on impacts to threatened and endangered marine species, and more generally threats to the oceans including unsustainable fisheries, offshore oil and gas development, deep-sea mining, offshore renewable energy, plastics, ocean acidification, and climate change. The policy specialist will engage in coalition work, high level campaigning, and communicating the Center’s position on the protection of the marine environment to the media and public through press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, reports and briefing documents. This position will play an important role in elevating the Center’s work to both defend and effectively implement our nation’s core environmental laws and to highlight the connections between the protection of our oceans and solutions for the global extinction crisis.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Track, analyze and respond to legislation related to public lands under all of the public lands laws including the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Magnuson-Stevens, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, NEPA and other laws, with a particular focus on emergent issues related to resource extraction and/or dismantling of protections for the marine environment United States..
Work to defeat anti-environmental policies by administrative agencies including the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, subagencies within the Department of the Interior, the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. Improve and strengthen polices to better protect marine wildlife and biodiversity, and limit pollution into the oceans.
Support existing Center campaigns to advance regulatory/administrative improvements in management of marine resources, marine wildlife, and reduce impacts from unsustainable resource extraction in marine waters. Support other key Center campaigns that have a national political nexus.
Develop high-impact rapid response press releases, reports, and other materials to educate the public on policies to improve protections for the oceans, protect healthy marine wildlife population, and move towards a more sustainable and environmentally just management of all ocean resources.
Engage environmental justice groups, religious organizations, and other non-traditional allies to help strengthen ocean protections.
Engage the public through action alerts and other campaign tools to ensure that political leaders hear constituent voices in support of the correct solutions to the climate crisis.
Conduct oversight and watchdog activities of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Department of Interior, and other federal agencies, including through use of the Freedom of Information Act.
Assist with campaign actions on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund to leverage political power and champion progressive environmental legislators.
Assist with organizing people for congressional hearings and events in Washington DC to defend key environmental priorities.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Advanced degree required; law degree preferred.
1-4 years of demonstrated experience preferred.
Knowledge of marine resource management laws implemented by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Department of the Interior and the other agencies. General knowledge of all other conservation and environmental laws, including Endangered Species Act preferred.
Understanding of and commitment to environmental justice issues required, experience preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection and public interest work.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, and analytic abilities required. Ability to be a self-starter and proactively identify additional areas of engagement strongly preferred.
Experience lobbying at the federal or state level preferred.
A passion for and knowledge of the natural world, biodiversity, wildlife and waters preferred.
Ability to work as part of a team, and to coordinate closely with attorneys and scientists required.
Good sense of humor in the face of hostile, irrational politicians while juggling competing priorities preferred.
Ability to work 40+ hours per week.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Occasional travel needed.