Overview
NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.
NRDC is seeking a California Legislative Advocate to work with the Center for Campaigns and Organizing team in our San Francisco office.
Position Summary
The California (CA) Legislative Advocate serves as the primary point of contact within NRDC for all state legislative work. This position requires collegial work with NRDC staff and collaboration with other organizations to develop and lead coherent strategic advocacy by the California environmental community. Under guidance from the CA Government Affairs Director and in coordination with the CA Advocacy team, the CA Legislative Advocate leads NRDC’s Sacramento engagement.
Responsibilities
- Advise on legislative and state budget strategy in consultation with NRDC program staff and Government Affairs Director.
- Lobby state policy makers.
- Track bills and legislative hearings. Attend hearings and provide testimony as needed.
- Collaborate on ongoing fundraising efforts by preparing donor updates and memos, and attending donor events and meetings, as appropriate.
- Advise on NRDC communications to ensure consistent and compelling messages that support state policy objectives.
- Serve on internal and external committees and boards as appropriate.
- Prepare background briefings and staff training regarding the state legislative process and development of effective advocacy strategies.
- Lead coalition of environmental groups advocating in Sacramento. Craft effective messages, prepare coalition letters, and help determine priorities of broader environmental community.
- Represent NRDC in California legislative and administrative settings, in consultation with program staff.
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with legislators, administration officials, and staff.
- Seek cross-programmatic synergies and help shape legislative components of NRDC’s policy campaigns.
Programmatic Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide direction on internal and outreach communications regarding legislative activities and campaigns, including e-activism and outreach to diverse constituencies and organizations.
- Write California Advocacy material for NRDC publications, board and donor reports and staff updates.
- Coordinate meeting requests, logistics, agenda setting and execution of lobbying efforts to advance NRDC’s policy agenda.
- Serve as liaison with NRDC affiliates, E2 and donor advocates, advise on advocacy matters and coordinate schedule, messages and logistics for their Sacramento lobby trips. Ensure follow up and ongoing communication with affiliate groups regarding NRDC’s policy agenda in CA.
- Craft materials for the press, including blogs, press releases, statements, and background information, in consultation with communications staff.
- Collaborate on occasional NRDC engagement on state and local ballot measure campaigns.
Qualifications
- Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values.
- Minimum 2-4 years’ relevant experience in environmental advocacy or CA legislature.
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science or similar field.
- Thorough knowledge of the California legislative and budget process and political landscape.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Strong analytical, strategy, and public relations skills with the ability to adjust work priorities and policy portfolio as needed. Demonstrated ability to form relationships, build consensus, develop effective coalitions, and manage collaborative projects.
- Strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities under tight timelines.
- Ability to prioritize and respond timely to legislators and their staff, administration officials, donors, affiliates, coalition partners, NRDC staff and the public.
- Ability to train and guide program staff in navigating the legislative process and CA state government.
- Excellent research and analytical skills.
- Outstanding problem-solving skills, including the ability to proactively identify obstacles and propose solutions or recommendations to overcome them.
- Demonstrated ability to manage projects involving multiple people and deliverables, and to perform or quickly learn new tasks, systems, and technologies.
- Ability to prioritize and efficiently execute many tasks, follow institutional procedures, and work independently with meticulous attention to detail.
- Passion for politics.
- Self-starter.
- Competence with and commitment to diversity and inclusion; ability to be an effective partner with diverse colleagues, leaders and partners.
- Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10-20% annually.
- Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.
NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $87,000 to $93,000.
NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.
To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.
If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.
For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.