Waterkeeper Alliance Advocacy Director

Position: Advocacy Director

Organization: Waterkeeper Alliance

Location: New York, NY

Description

Organizational overview:  Waterkeeper Alliance is a global environmental movement uniting more than 190 Waterkeeper organizations around the world and focusing citizen advocacy on the issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeepers patrol more than 1.5 million square miles of rivers, streams and coastlines in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.

For more information, please visit our website at www.waterkeeper.org and/or read The Riverkeepers by John Cronin and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Responsibilities:  The Advocacy Director is a member of the organization’s management team who works with the organizational leadership to strengthen Waterkeeper organizations, amplify the voice of the movement, and ensure organizational capacity.  The Advocacy Director will:

• Serve as a litigator and advocate for Waterkeeper Alliance;

• Supervise a team of attorneys and other staff;

• Play a leadership role in setting the organization’s strategic advocacy goals, and building and directing programs that will achieve those goals;

• Serve as a liaison to the Board’s Issues and Advocacy Committee and participate in the development and assessment of campaign topics;

• Oversee the planning and implementation of selected campaign strategies and local and regional enforcement efforts;

• Liaise with Waterkeeper Organizations and other partners on advocacy campaign and enforcement activities, and build and participate in coalitions around issues of mutual concern;

• Track and analyze developments in the environmental advocacy field, utilizing them in enhancing and modifying strategies;

• Develop tools for assessing the impact of our work, determine which of our strategies are most effective, and raise the visibility of the best practices we have developed;

• Engage in fundraising for the organization’s programs and campaign activities;

• Represent the organization to key stakeholders and the general public;  and

• Engage in other activities as needed.

Required Qualifications: The Director position will require a very broad skill set and will need to be driven by a strong desire for justice.  The Director will need:

1. A law degree and admission to the New York Bar (or ability to gain admission within reasonable time period), along with seven or more years of relevant experience, including a sound understanding of grassroots advocacy, environmental and administrative law, non-profit organizational management, budgets, fundraising, governmental policy-making and advocacy;
2. A firm belief that everyone has a right to clean water for swimming, drinking, and fishing;
3. Strong familiarity with the Clean Water Act;
4. Knowledge, experience and background with water quality issues;
5. A demonstrated ability to interact effectively with lawmakers and elected officials;
6. Experience and ability to both raise funds and also to develop and implement fundraising and/or strategic planning;
7. Familiarity with or the ability to readily adapt to the Waterkeeper culture and model;
8. Excellent written and oral presentation skills; and
9. To be charismatic, likeable, and have a good sense of humor.

Hours:  40+ hours/week.  Must be flexible to work weekends and longer hours when needed, as this is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation:  Competitive non-profit salary, commensurate with experience, with health, dental, and vision insurance, vacation time and sick leave.

Start date:  Immediately.

How to Apply

Applications: Email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] , Subject:  Advocacy Director

Waterkeeper Alliance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran.

Waterkeeper is a registered trademark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc.