Legislative Director

Maine Conservation Voters & Maine Conservation Alliance

Job Title: Legislative Director

About this role: As Legislative Director, you'll lead Maine's fight for environmental justice as our chief lobbyist and coalition strategist. You'll build relationships with lawmakers, coordinate Maine's largest environmental coalition, and drive policy victories that advance climate action, conservation, and democracy across the state.

Our vision for the future:

We envision a Maine where nature and people thrive through an inclusive, just democracy, a sustainable economy, and equitable access to nature’s benefits - healthy climate, lands, air, and waters

We are looking to hire: A sharp strategist with government affairs experience, a proven track record of results advocating for policy change, and a network of legislative relationships to bring to the work. The ideal candidate will be motivated to work in a fast-paced, campaign-like environment and collaborate with a broader team, including partners in Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition, to get big things done. They will be excellent at building consensus in order to deliver positive policy outcomes on climate, environmental, and democracy issues impacting Maine communities, and will serve as a resource for our staff and board, as well as state, regional, and national partners. This position, alongside a team of tenacious colleagues, will work with and amplify the voices of communities and other key constituencies who are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues. This position is an opportunity to directly impact environmental policy in Maine.

Being committed to solving problems in coalition, working as part of a team, and advancing racial equity and inclusion are essential.

Primary Responsibilities: The Legislative Director is Maine Conservation Voters’ chief lobbyist. This person is responsible for ensuring that the protection of the environment, climate, and democracy in Maine are top priorities for elected officials. They are also responsible for managing Maine Conservation Alliance’s cornerstone environmental policy initiative, the Environmental Priorities Coalition.

Activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cultivate, strengthen, and maintain MCA/MCV’s relationships with elected officials, policy makers, coalition members, and other relevant partners to advance MCA/MCV's goals.
• Lead lobbying strategy within our team and advocate, testify, and lobby the State Legislature, Governor, state agencies, and occasionally other government bodies on MCV/MCA’s policy priorities.
• Communicate regularly with administration leaders, including in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Governor’s Energy Office, natural resource agencies, and the Secretary of State.
• Lead the activities of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), an alliance of 39 environmental, conservation, and public health organizations working together to pass and defend policies that advance conservation, environmental justice, climate action, and healthy communities.
• Represent the EPC at the State House and collaborate with MCA’s Director of Policy and Partnerships, Outreach Director, and coalition partners to help organize the coalition’s annual priority bill rollout process.
• Work with MCV’s Scorecard Committee and the Director of Policy and Partnerships to develop Maine’s Environmental Scorecard.
• Lead the candidate endorsement program and coordinated campaign work on behalf of MCV Action Fund - MCV’s affiliated PAC.
• Represent MCA/MCV in coalitions important to advancing MCA and MCV’s missions.
• Communicate MCA/MCV's policy initiatives and achievements to both internal and external partners and audiences, including through media interviews and presentations.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal lobbying and electoral laws, including filing reports with the Maine Ethics Commission.
• Support development activities as requested including participation in member, donor, and funder events.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Carry out all of the responsibilities listed above in accordance with the mission statement, goals, and philosophy of MCA/MCV.

Essential Qualifications:

• A strong commitment to and demonstrated understanding of environmental policy, climate action, democracy, racial justice, and the missions of MCA/MCV, and their potential to engage the public.
• Experience in advocacy and lobbying (Maine experience preferred).
• Ability to navigate legislative processes.
• The ability to quickly and efficiently summarize legislation and other public policy issues for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfortable public speaking- including the delivery of formal public testimony and ease in communicating about politics and public policy in front of large groups.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a racial justice lens to policy analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to develop relationships with individuals representing a rich mix of races, genders, talents, experiences, and backgrounds.
• Proven ability to work in coalition and facilitate cooperation among diverse groups and comfort with facilitating meetings, developing clear agendas, and helping groups navigate productive conflict.
• Experience working or volunteering on political campaigns.
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and campaign planning and comfort adjusting strategies and tactics based on the fast-moving nature of the legislature.
• A track record of building strong, effective relationships with lawmakers.

Salary: The annual salary for this position ranges from $80,000 to $90,000. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience, education, and skills directly related to the role.

Position Type: This is a full-time, at-will, exempt position. Reports to the Director of Policy & Partnerships.

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays, retirement match of up to 3%, and professional development assistance.

Location: Augusta, Maine. Maine Conservation Voters, Maine Conservation Alliance, and the Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund (MCA/MCV/MCVAF) have a physical office in Augusta. This position requires being fully present, in-person, at the State House during the legislative session and can be hybrid when the legislature is not in session.

We encourage diverse applicants: We encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every qualification but bring relevant skills and perspectives.

How to Apply: Please visit https://maineconservationvoters.bamboohr.com/careers/38 to submit your cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted until July 23, 2025.

Maine Conservation Voters (MCV) is building a just, thriving future for all by acting on the climate crisis, protecting the environment, and safeguarding our democracy. We advocate for equitable policies, hold elected officials accountable, and win elections.

Maine Conservation Alliance (MCA) is building a just, thriving future for all by acting on the climate crisis, protecting the environment, and safeguarding our democracy. We bring people and organizations together to educate, inspire, and advocate.

MCA/MCV is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other basis protected by law. MCA/MCV’s hiring and employment decisions are based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications.

Please contact hr@maineconservation.org if you require any accommodations for a disability to assist you in applying or if you have any other needs during the application process.