The Environmental Policy Director serves as a visionary leader in achieving “water wins,” victories toward our organizational mission to protect South Florida’s waterways. This position will lead our efforts in litigation, legislation, rulemaking, and advocacy strategy, requiring the candidate to have the ability to achieve solutions by implementing multidisciplinary campaigns. The Environmental Policy Director will lead the initiatives of our Policy and Advocacy Team, representing the organization publicly, building relationships with stakeholders and government, and finding creative approaches to making positive change for our environment. The ideal candidate will have strong communication, strategic thinking, project management, and relationship-building skills, with a passion for environmental advocacy.
Advocacy Strategy and Campaigns
- Identify emerging policy issues, share insights with the team, and ensure alignment with strategic goals
- Work with the Chief Programs Officer and Waterkeeper to develop and implement advocacy strategies to address priority environmental issues in South Florida, and set team priorities, and annual campaign goals
- Litigation: Ensure Miami Waterkeeper’s policy and advocacy efforts align with and support the enforcement of key environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other relevant statutes.
- Regulatory Policy: Draft, review, comment, and refine policy documents, including regulator technical comment letters, action alerts, and position papers
- Government Affairs: Build and maintain relationships with government agencies and elected officials
- Represent Miami Waterkeeper at public events, meetings, and conferences to advance policy initiatives
- Build relationships and coordinate efforts with coalitions and stakeholders
- Work across Miami Waterkeeper’s team to coordinate internal efforts
Litigation, Legislation, and Rulemaking
- Oversee and guide Miami Waterkeeper’s involvement in legal actions, legislation, and rulemaking, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives
- Collaborate with outside counsel and team members to determine positions, develop strategies, and review work products such as legal briefs, draft legislation, and technical comment letters
- Monitor and engage with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on issues related to permitting, compliance, and enforcement
- Represent Miami Waterkeeper in advocacy efforts, including public comments, engagement with legislators and agencies, and relationship-building with government officials
Team Leadership and Management
- Project manage the policy team priorities
- Coordinate with other team leaders to work on common objectives across the organization
- Supervise at least two team members and relevant contractors
- Develop and manage the team’s annual budget
- Support the grants team on funding opportunities and reporting requirements
- Review and approve team deliverables, including talking points, action alerts, and other external communications
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
- Three to five+ years of policy, strategy, public policy, and/or legislative experience; working within or directly with regulatory agencies is a plus.
- Master’s degree in Environmental Policy, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, or related field preferred
- Experience in querying federal, state, and local databases for regulatory records preferred
- Experience in campaign outreach strategic development
- Experience managing team
Working Conditions
- Fast-paced, dynamic
- Hybrid work schedule, with 3 days required in-office
- Collegial and supportive environment
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision plan
- Retirement Account (with limited 401K matching)
- Generous time off policies
- Remote work flexibility (2 days/week)
- Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code
Salary: $80,000-$95,000
Job Type: Full-time
Reports to: Chief Programs Officer
Supervises: Environmental Policy Specialist, Environmental Policy Analyst
Location: Downtown Coral Gables, FL
Contact: Please fill out the form at this link to apply. Note: You will be asked to share your resume and a cover letter stating why you would like to work for Miami Waterkeeper.
Miami Waterkeeper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strongly value diversity, equity, and inclusion both in our organization and in our community.
