Advocacy & Policy Coordinator

ABOUT US

Riverkeeper is New York’s premier water quality advocate. Established in 1966, Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law. With an annual operating budget of $4.5 million, Riverkeeper is a mid-sized not-for profit operating in the Hudson Valley. This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging environmental leader seeking a fast-paced internship at an organization doing impactful work. For more information, visit www.riverkeeper.org.

TITLE: Advocacy & Policy Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: Advocacy, Policy, & Planning

REPORTS TO: Senior Director, Advocacy, Policy, & Planning

SALARY: $50,000-$60,000 per year

SCHEDULE: Full-time; with flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends

LOCATION: Ossining, NY; hybrid role requiring at least 2 days in the office weekly. Riverkeeper also maintains office space in Kingston, NY.

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter and resume by applying directly online using this link: https://riverkeeper.bamboohr.com/careers/37?source=aWQ9MjU%3D

POSITION SUMMARY

The Advocacy & Policy Coordinator is a community organizer who builds and supports coalitions, and works with community organizations to advocate for policies that support Riverkeeper’s priority projects in the Hudson River watershed. This role works closely across Riverkeeper departments including Legal, Communications and Science Programs in order to achieve results and outcomes supportive of Riverkeeper’s projects. These projects include objectives related to drinking water source protection, habitat restoration, improving water quality and climate resilience. One focus of this position is to work closely with environmental justice organizations, community groups and municipalities in the Hudson Valley.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

(This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.)

• Contribute to the development and execution of campaigns related to drinking water (ie, coordinating coalitions restoring or protecting public water supplies), water quality (ie, outreach to promote road salt best management practices), habitat restoration (ie, advocating for solutions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species through canals) and public access (ie, lobbying for policies that support creating new beaches or river pools).
• Build and support coalitions of community groups, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations. This may include meeting facilitation, event planning, consensus-building, developing and implementing organizing strategies, scheduling meetings, note-taking and communications.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the staff of community organizations, non-profit organizations, community leaders, elected leaders and agency officials.
• Lead or assist with community organizing efforts that support and inform Riverkeeper’s projects.
• Lobby municipal and county elected leaders and other decision-makers to achieve policy goals related to clean water, habitat restoration and drinking water source protection.
• Assist in the development and execution of communications strategies that support Riverkeeper’s projects, which may include writing blog posts, social media, letters or reports, and speaking at public events.
• Coordinate with Development staff to support member outreach strategies.
• Support Riverkeeper’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice initiatives, especially through developing strong relationships with communities impacted by environmental issues so that those perspectives inform Riverkeeper’s work and so our unique resources and platforms are made available to support partners in environmental justice communities, organizations, and coalitions.

EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

Research shows that people from under-represented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

This might be the right next role for you if you have 1-3 years of relevant experience, and would likely be described as:

• A Hudson Valley-based community organizer with experience working on advocacy campaigns
• Experienced in advocacy and/or policy work (strongly preferred).
• An optimistic water enthusiast who is passionate about working to promote healthy aquatic ecosystems that protect public drinking water supplies and make waterways safe for swimming.
• A strong relationship builder who values collaboration and creativity, and who excels at working with diverse teams.
• A results-oriented and energetic worker who can manage multiple ongoing priorities.
• Committed to the mission, vision, values, and goals of Riverkeeper, including working closely with disadvantaged communities to promote environmental justice.
• Self-driven and able to work independently, and be effective in a field-based/remote capacity.
• A nimble thinker who can identify novel solutions and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• An excellent researcher with strong written communication skills, and adept at public speaking.
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office products, Canva, and Monday.com.
• Experience with ArcGIS is a plus.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to travel throughout the Hudson Valley and Capital District, with occasional trips to the Mohawk Valley and New York City.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed to attend community meetings or events.
• Ability to occasionally carry bags, boxes, folding tables, and other materials related to participating and setting up public events.
• All employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Riverkeeper is an AA/EEO employer. Riverkeeper is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law.

People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.