State Advocate: Environment Missouri – Sant Louis, MO

Organization: Works for Progress

Job Title: State Advocate

Location: Saint Louis, MO

Hours and Compensation: full time, salary commensurate with experience and education

Position Dates: beginning July

Application Deadline: rolling

Posted on: May 16

Organization Overview

Environment Missouri is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. We believe there’s something special about Missouri — something worth protecting and preserving for future generations. Whether it’s paddling down the beautiful Current River or biking across the state on the Katy Trail, Missouri’s natural wonders enrich our lives in countless ways. Yet the places we love and the environmental values so many of us share are too often threatened by powerful industries, short-sighted politicians and more. Defending our environment requires independent research, tough-minded advocacy and spirited grassroots action. That’s the idea behind Environment Missouri. We focus exclusively on protecting Missouri’s air, water and open spaces. We speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of our environment and our lives.

In addition to being a leading voice for Missouri’s environment in St. Louis and throughout the state, Environment Missouri is part of a federation of state-based environmental advocacy groups that make up Environment America. Our Washington, DC advocacy office represents the Environment America federation in federal policy matters. Our roots at the state level give Environment America a unique “outside the beltway” perspective on the issues, while our state staff, national field organizers and members across all 50 states provide the grassroots power necessary to enact change at the federal level.

Description

Environment Missouri is seeking an experienced advocate to lead our priority campaigns and manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. The advocate is responsible for driving our campaigns to preserve Missouri’s open spaces like the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and our renowned state parks; protect our great rivers like the Meramec and the Missouri, as well as our wetlands and wild streams; clean our air by reducing pollution from power plants and promoting clean energy; and reduce agricultural pollution by working for cleaner farms and sustainable agriculture. Job responsibilities will include overall campaign management and development, research, policy analysis, lobbying, writing, media, fundraising, staff management, coalition building, and grassroots organizing.

Salary is commensurate with a candidate’s relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, a retirement plan, educational loan assistance, maternity or paternity leave, annual vacation days and sick days.

Responsibilities

(partial list):

Programmatic duties

• Continue Environment Missouri’s history of running effective and hard-hitting campaigns for the environment.
• Package campaigns that resonate with the public, decision makers, and our members; and execute strategic plans for winning real change for Missouri’s air, water, and land.
• Develop Environment Missouri’s legislative agenda, and lobby elected officials at the local, state, and national levels on priority legislation.
• Develop relationships with key political and environmental actors, and be a leader in the environmental community in Missouri.
• Work closely with a broad base of coalition partners to more effectively push for protecting Missouri’s environment.
• Write at least 2 research reports per year and release at least 6 reports per year.
• Create and execute effective media strategies for each of our campaigns, including report releases, editorial board outreach, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
• Mobilize Environment Missouri’s members and online activists through email alerts, a quarterly newsletter, and social media strategies.
• Work with the Fund for the Public Interest to launch grassroots citizen outreach campaigns to help further Environment Missouri’s goals by speaking directly with the public.

Staff Management & Organization Building

• Directly oversee one entry-level staff associate and Environment Missouri’s interns.
• Work with others to recruit new staff to build Environment Missouri and Environment America for the long haul.
• Create short and long term goals for the organization and strategic organization building plans to meet them.
• Create a sense of community and team in the office.

Fundraising & Financial Management

• Raise money from foundations throughout the year.
• Run and participate in at least three major donor drives per year.
• Develop the annual budget and staffing plans, and manage the budget day-to-day.

Qualifications

Candidates must have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. Preference is given to candidates with past work in grassroots organizing; political, policy, or non-profit management; or government settings. The Advocate must be an organized, dynamic, goal-driven individual. Excellent communication skills and a proven track record of success are critical.

How to Apply:

Send a compelling cover letter and resume to Ted Mathys using our online application at http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/page/amr/experienced-candidate-application. Please specify the position for which you are applying in the subject line of the email, and be sure to mention where you saw this position advertised.