Policy Advocacy Director

Title: Policy Advocacy Director

Employment Type: Full-Time/Exempt

Wage: A competitive $135,000-$165,000 annual salary

Department: Political

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Location: Sacramento CA

Work Schedule: Four Day Work Week: Two (2) days in office, two (2) days remote. However, there may be certain circumstances, like pressing deadlines or peak business periods, where it becomes necessary for the organization to temporarily switch to a five-day work week.

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), and EnviroVoters Education Fund, are excited to launch a search for a Policy Advocacy Director to join our dynamic, fun, and high-performing team!

WHO WE ARE

We believe this moment requires transformative change.

The climate crisis is here. And Black, Indigenous and people of color have been bearing the burden of our pollution-based economy for generations. We have the solutions to stop climate change, but we lack the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s needed.

EnviroVoters exists to build the political will and power to solve the climate crisis, use climate action to advance justice, and create a global roadmap. To protect our water, land, air, and our most vulnerable communities, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change.

Our vision is to build resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.

The Policy Advocacy Director will occasionally travel to attend legislative visits around the state, lobbying meetings in Sacramento and Washington DC, as well as staff meetings across the state.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Craft and execute EnviroVoters’ state legislative, federal, and regulatory policy and program priorities in collaboration with staff, the organization’s contract lobbyist, and coalition partners.
• Coordinate across federal, state, and regulatory agendas for aligned impact.
• Oversee lobbying and accountability strategies to build political power and pass climate justice policies.
• Determine positions on key legislation, regulations, and budget issues and guide political strategy for maximum impact.
• Identify and cultivate legislative champions and swing votes.
• Work in collaboration with the legislative team to increase the number of relationships with legislators and Capitol staff to deepen their commitment to support EnviroVoters’, deepening their commitment to environmental justice and the environmental movement.
• Directly supervise staff within the policy team which work across state legislative, regulatory, and federal advocacy and work with the team to determine policy and program priorities.
• Provide mentorship and political guidance to policy staff to grow their strategic impact and leadership.
• Lead cross-department coordination with communications, political, philanthropy, and organizing teams to amplify policy campaigns.
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organizational planning, budgeting, and culture.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Executive Director to align political and programmatic goals and ensure they are up to date on key state, federal, and regulatory priorities.
• Collaborate with the Political Director to ensure our policy and legislative goals are aligned with the organizing and electoral goals.
• Collaborate with the Communications Director to build out our public communication campaigns to build public support for our top policy priorities.
• Support strategic planning processes, internal systems, and decision-making that center equity, accountability, and mission alignment.
• Represent EnviroVoters in meetings with legislators, regulators, Congressional offices, and the administration.
• Strengthen partnerships with progressive coalitions and environmental/ environmental justice allies.
• Occasionally serve as a spokesperson to media and funders on policy priorities and campaigns.
• Oversee the planning and execution of events for legislators.
• Oversee the production of the Environmental Scorecard, the organization’s main accountability and public education tool.
• Lead strategy and execution for regulatory implementation of SB 253 and other landmark laws in partnership with the Clean Air and Energy Regulatory Advocate.
• Develop, oversee, and manage the budget for the Policy team and track resource management and to ensure resources align with strategic goals.
• Help support the organizations fundraising efforts including the cultivation of major donors and funders, and lead resource development for policy work, including working with philanthropy staff on grant writing and reporting, prospecting, and messaging EnviroVoters and the Ed Fund’s policy activities to raise funds for the Policy team’s budget.
• Serve as lead staff to the Program Committee of the Board of Directors and provide regular updates and materials.
• Provide written updates, reports and proposals for the board, donors, members and foundation outreach.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

MUST HAVES:

• Minimum 8 years’ experience working in the field of state or federal environmental policy or advocacy.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience supervising and managing staff.
• Proven track record of successful lobbying, coalition-building, and/or power-building strategy.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, with a drive towards innovation.
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional ability to cultivate relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage shifting priorities and multiple deadline-driven projects.
• Sharp political acumen and understanding of California politics.
• Ability to be persuasive and collaborative yet unafraid to be aggressive when necessary.
• Excellent public speaking, writing and editing skills.
• High standard of ethics and driven by progressive values.
• Excellent management skills and a desire to grow new leaders in the environmental advocacy movement.
• Exceptional organization, project management, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage fast-paced work, competing priorities, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Commitment to climate justice and progressive values.

NICE TO HAVES:

• Has experience lobbying or advocating in the California State Legislature or in Congress.
• Familiarity with regulatory bodies such as CARB, CPUC, and CEC.
• Has strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience working collaboratively with underserved communities of color and communities heavily impacted by pollution.
• Is passionate about protecting California’s environment and the health of all California communities.
• Is committed to engaging Californians in campaigns to elect and hold accountable environmental champions.
• Is willing and able to work in a fast-paced work environment.
• Exercises sound independent judgment and decision making.
• Thrives on change, innovation, and teamwork.
• Has a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or equivalent experience.
• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply through our career portal, which you can access here . We look forward to reviewing your resume and learning more about you. Thank you for your interest in EnviroVoters!

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW: WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

California Environmental Voters offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including a 4-Day Work Week (4DWW) policy, 12 days of PTO and 12 Federal and State holidays, plus a paid week off at the end of the year, 4 days of bereavement leave, health and dental benefits, a 401(k)-retirement program with up to 3% employer match; flexible spending account (FSA) for health care expenses; subsidized commuter program; and optional life insurance.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At EnviroVoters, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workspace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this role or other roles.

EnviroVoters and EnviroVoters Ed Fund has a deep commitment to equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. EnviroVoters invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our organization.

As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are

provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed

to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform

essential job functions, please contact envirovotersjobs@envirovoters.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.