Legislative Advocate- Sacramento, CA

Organization: Planning and Conservation League

Position Title: Legislative Advocate

Location: 1107 9th Street, Suite 901, Sacramento, CA, 95814, US

Hours and Compensation: $40,000-$45,000 full time

Application Deadline: January 10, 2014

Organization Overview

The Planning and Conservation League, founded in 1965, is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that serves as the lobbying arm of environmental community – passing, enforcing and protecting laws and initiatives that safeguard our lands, air, waters and communities. PCL’s sister organization, the PCL Foundation, was founded in 1972 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to protect California’s environment and ensure that California continues to be an attractive, livable, and equitable state by engaging in cutting‑edge environmental public policy research, and by educating and empowering local communities to participate in local and state environmental decision-making processes.

Description

The Planning and Conservation League (PCL), a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization that connects grassroots organizations to advocate for policies to protect California’s lands, air, waters and communities, seeks an energetic, self-motivated individual to direct the organization’s legislative program. The Legislative Advocate will act as the primary spokesperson for PCL in the State Capitol during legislative session, overseeing PCL’s legislative agenda and tracking all bills considered to be a PCL priority. This position has varying intensity and work hours throughout the year, and requires occasional weekends, evening hours, and travel.

Responsibilities

The Legislative Advocate’s duties include but are not limited to:

• Working with Executive Director to develop and manage PCL legislative work plan.
• Sponsoring and overseeing legislation on behalf of PCL.
• Managing the legislative tracking system used by PCL.
• Preparing and overseeing the preparation of support and oppose letters, bill analyses, and floor alerts.
• Monitoring and recommending positions on all relevant environmental and public health legislation to the PCL Executive Director (and Board, as needed).
• Testifying before legislative and administrative boards and committees.
• Collaborating with legislators and legislative staff to promote PCL’s legislative strategies, including coordination of briefings and workshops.
• Communicating and collaborating with relevant interest groups (including serving as primary liaison with Green California coalition), governmental agencies, and the press.
• Drafting articles, op-eds, and support materials for priority PCL legislation.
• Supporting PCL priority campaigns, including CEQA, water and land-use/transportation, through advocacy, coordination of workshops, community organization and mobilization.
• Assisting with fundraising and event tasks, such as mailings, grant applications, major donor outreach and Symposium planning.
• Supervising interns as necessary.
• Maintaining and building relations with relevant individuals and organizations.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a college degree and ideally at least two years of experience with the legislative process and a background in environmental or related policy field. Experience in the nonprofit arena a plus, as is an advanced degree (law, masters or other) in a related field of study. The successful applicant must be hard working, extremely organized, self-motivated, enjoy working in a team setting, and demonstrate a deep commitment and passion for conservation and environmental protection. Strong written and verbal communications skills a must.

How to Apply

To Apply

Resumes and cover letters should be sent to: [email protected] by Friday, January 10.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Planning and Conservation League is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates with appropriate qualifications are encouraged to apply for the Legislative Advocate position.