Water Policy Associate, Philadelphia Position
WaterNow Alliance (waternow.org)
About WaterNow & Multiplier
WaterNow works to advance transformation in the urban water sector to accelerate the widespread adoption of equitable, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable water management strategies. We do this as a national network for local water leaders and decision makers, empowering them with the technical assistance, resources, and tools they need to implement innovative One Water drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater solutions in their communities. WaterNow is an independent operating division of Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit with a growing portfolio of innovative initiatives that conserve and protect a sustainable and resilient world (www.multiplier.org).
Position: Water Policy Associate, Philadelphia
The Water Policy Associate, Philadelphia is a full-time position and a core member of the WaterNow team. The Associate is primarily responsible for advancing key local, state and federal policy initiatives, collaborating on hands-on projects in collaboration with utility partners, and supporting member engagement and outreach. Within WaterNow’s mission-oriented suite of environmentally sustainable water solutions, this position will focus primarily on investments in localized, equitable, affordable, climate resilient water infrastructure in Philadelphia by identifying, researching, and evaluating funding and financing mechanisms for distributed green infrastructure and lead service line replacements, and other decentralized water infrastructure. This is a growth opportunity position with a focus on professional development and career advancement.
Water Policy Associate, Philadelphia Responsibilities and Activities. The Water Policy Associate, Philadelphia will be involved in all elements of WaterNow’s program of action. Specific accountabilities will include:
- Manage WaterNow’s campaign to accelerate public investment in green stormwater infrastructure in Philadelphia. In close coordination with the Water Policy Director and Executive Director, support local utilities and municipalities’ increased investment in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) on private property, including core tasks such as:
- Researching Pennsylvania’s State Revolving Fund to identify pathways for scaled GSI investments and producing related policy briefs and/or memos.
- Developing and advancing policy campaigns to identify and clear barriers to accelerated adoption of GSI.
- Participating in local community and NGO coalitions to coordinate WaterNow advocacy with local partners and stakeholders.
- Implementation of WaterNow’s Tap into Resilience In close coordination with the Water Policy Director and the Executive Director, support local utilities and municipalities’ accelerated investment in localized water infrastructure. Core tasks may include:
- Identifying opportunities for accelerated investment in sustainable water strategies and opportunities to remove obstacles to the implementation of sustainable water solutions.
- Conducting legal and policy research to identify barriers and pathways for accelerated investment in localized water infrastructure in support of existing and future Tap into Resilience Pilot Community projects.
- Updating the Tap into Resilience Toolkit and related website materials to include new modules, resources, case studies, etc.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with key local partners, water innovators, and utility staff and management in developing and executing projects and policy initiatives.
- Support the Project Accelerator Program by providing research, analysis, and other expertise to the Director of Strategic Projects and Program Managers in their work with local utilities and municipalities to implement sustainable water projects.
- Represent WaterNow at conferences, seminars, and meetings.
- Plan, coordinate and lead occasional stakeholder meetings, in-person briefings, and webinars.
- Serve alongside other thought partners on WaterNow on overall planning and strategy.
Qualifications and Requirements
- 4-year college degree (required); Master’s in Public Policy, Master’s in Urban & Public Affairs, or similar graduate degree preferred.
- At least 4-7 years relevant work experience related to local, state, or federal policy campaigns, public affairs, and/or government relations.
- Experience with or interest in local government; prior work within local government desired.
- Working knowledge of the Clean Water Act and other federal environmental statutes. Familiarity with public finance mechanisms, e.g., bonds, loans, etc. desired but not required.
- Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills based, in part, on technical experience (e.g., economics, environmental studies and/or public policy). Familiarity with data analysis tools, such as R, Excel, and ArcGIS desired but not required.
- Experience with and interest in public speaking.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to detail, able to meet deadlines and follow-through.
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience in environmentally sustainable water policy.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Zoom meetings and webinars, MacOS, and Google Suite. Experience with web-based project management applications desired but not required.
- Demonstrated experience managing and maintaining compliance with public and/or private grant obligations.
- High degree of professionalism, resourcefulness, and a strong work ethic.
Location
This is a remote position for candidates located in the Philadelphia metro area. WaterNow Alliance is based in San Francisco and in order to collaborate as a team, we will encourage travel to San Francisco at least 2-3 times per year for in-person meetings. Given this position will work closely with the WaterNow team in San Francisco, this person will be available during Pacific Time working hours (as needed).
Compensation and Benefits
WaterNow offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $60,000-$70,000 annually and is negotiable commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes a 3% retirement match as well as health, dental, vision coverage and more.
Applications
Please provide a resume and cover letter that describes your interest in this position, your relevant qualificaions and experience, your availability. Please also submit a writing sample that showcases some relevant work in the water or environmental policy arena. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications can be sent to jobs@waternow.org. We’re a small team and respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.
EEO STATEMENT:
Multiplier and WaterNow celebrate diversity and is committed to building teams and partnerships that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Multiplier and WaterNow are also committed to providing an environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment. Multiplier and WaterNow prohibit discrimination in its governance, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance, or for any other non-merit based factors.
