Policy Director – Sacramento or Oakland, CA

Organization: Environmental Justice Coalition for Water

Job Title: Policy Director

Location: Sacramento or Oakland, CA

Hours and Compensation: Full time; Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position Dates: 

Application Deadline: Open until filled; first round of interviews will take place  during the last two weeks of June

Posted On: June 14, 2012

Organization Overview

The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water (EJCW) is a statewide coalition of grassroots groups and intermediary organizations building a collective, community-based movement for democratic water allocation, management, and policy development in California. EJCW empowers low-income communities and people of color throughout California to advocate for clean, safe, and affordable water for their communities.

EJCW plays a critical bridge-building role in connecting grassroots communities and statewide policy advocates across California. We maintain a strong presence in Sacramento, and have conducted many successful advocacy campaigns. We are coordinating a statewide message on the importance of identifying and meeting the water needs of the most underserved communities in California. By connecting our members to each other and potential allies throughout the state, as well as tackling structural inequity in how California’s water resources are managed, we are building a broad movement for water justice.

EJCW employs various strategies to accomplish our objectives, including policy analysis and advocacy, community capacity-building and advocacy training, and fostering new collaborations. We also provide invaluable technical assistance to our members in grassroots communities by offering support for organizing, playing an essential fiscal agent role, and building community capacity through training and partnerships. EJCW is a voice for low-income people of color in Sacramento and has created a seat at the Sacramento policy table by building the capacity of local groups to play a strategic role in state and regional water policy battles.

Our policy advocacy work, community collaborations and organizational culture all reflect a concern for equality, mutual respect, appreciation for diversity and environmental and social justice. We are looking for candidates who share our values, who bring a willingness to contribute to our mission and to the growth of a small organization, and who are open to developing their skills.

Description

EJCW is looking for a Policy Director to be based in Sacramento. This position reports to the Coalition Director, but will also work closely with EJCW member organizations and our Board members. The Policy Director is responsible for the development and implementation of EJCW’s advocacy campaigns, including our current Human Right to Water Campaign (HRTW). The main objective of our HRTW Campaign is to raise awareness of the extent and severity of the lack of access to safe water that low-income, disadvantaged communities experience, throughout California. As part of this effort, we are sponsoring AB 685 (Alejo), state legislation that would establish the human right to water as a statewide policy priority, thus ensuring all Californians have access to safe, affordable, and sufficient drinking water.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement EJCW’s policy agenda through an inclusive process with input from our Board and member organizations
• Develop and implement advocacy campaigns to advance EJCW’s agenda using multiple strategies including legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition-building, and media and communications.
• Monitor and analyze existing state and local policies that impact the ability of low-income and people of color communities to access safe and affordable water
• Represent EJCW on advisory boards, task forces, and various stakeholder committees
• Educate policymakers on water issues impacting our members and their communities
• Develop and deliver public presentations to advance EJCW’s public policy priorities
• Manage relationships and communication with EJCW stakeholders, including Board of Directors, member organizations, policymakers, and funders
• Develop policy briefs to educate policymakers and EJCW stakeholders
• Develop written materials, including: letters of support, sample letters, and fact sheets to advance EJCW’s legislative and administrative policy priorities

Qualifications

• Commitment to the organization’s mission, purpose, and values
• A bachelor’s degree required; masters or advanced degree preferred
• At least 5 years of proven public policy analysis and advocacy experience
• Knowledge of California state legislative and budget processes; familiarity with state agencies
• Strong analytical, writing, research, and public speaking skills
• Self-directed and organized individual with ability to work independently to meet multiple deadlines
• Proven track record of developing successful partnerships with other groups/organizations
• Ability to articulate a compelling vision to a wide diversity of audiences and constituencies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; experience working with a variety of media outlets
• Understanding of social and environmental justice principles Comfort and experience working with community-based organizations and people of color
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, as required
• Knowledge of water and/or other natural resource issues a plus
• Bilingual English-Spanish speaker a plus

How to Apply

To apply, please e-mail your resume, a brief cover letter, and three professional references to: [email protected]. Please include “Policy Director” in the email subject line. Please no phone calls.

Position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. First round of interviews will take place during the last two weeks of June.

The EJCW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition, disability, or sexual orientation.