California Coastkeeper Alliance (CCKA) unites Waterkeeper organizations statewide to fight for swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters for all Californians. CCKA and Waterkeepers work together to develop, implement, and defend freshwater and ocean policies for the benefit of California’s communities and ecosystems. CCKA is a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of water advocates with more than 300 organizations.
Position Summary
CCKA seeks a dynamic policy advocate to represent California Waterkeepers in state agency and legislative forums. The Policy Analyst/Policy Manager (job title depending on experience) will work with the Executive Director and legal staff to develop, advocate, and comment on clean water legislation, policies, permits, regulations, and funding measures. This will include work to develop strategies and reforms to address key threats to California coastal areas, bays, and rivers, such as protecting public trust resources and instream flows from over pumping, diversions, and groundwater extraction; agricultural and stormwater runoff; trash pollution; ocean desalination facilities; safe and affordable drinking water; wasteful water use; and ensuring all polluters are held accountable, particularly in underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution. The Policy Analyst/Policy Manager should be a self-starter, who is productive working with a remote team and juggling numerous projects and issues.
Major Responsibilities
Policy
- Track, analyze, and develop written comments on permits, policies, monitoring plans, and other technical documents related to water quality, watershed health, ocean climate resiliency, and sustainable water supply.
- Develop, write, negotiate, and advocate for legislation that advances CCKA’s mission to obtain fishable, swimmable, and drinkable waters for all Californians.
- Draft and present oral testimony, and otherwise represent CCKA positions at public meetings, hearings, and other forums, including participation on technical committees and in stakeholder groups.
- Assist with the implementation of campaigns to advance organizational priorities before the California Legislature, State Water Resources Control Board, Ocean Protection Council, and other entities.
- Create and maintain relationships with legislative staff, agency staff, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders.
Administrative
- Proactively identify funding for CCKA’s advocacy work and assist with grant management, including preparing proposals and reports.
- Develop online and written communications materials on key advocacy topics for a general audience.
- Supervise and mentor policy interns as needed.
Additional Responsibilities for Policy Manager
- Develop, implement, and lead policy and legislative campaigns with minimal supervision.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent years of experience, with a preference for legal, science, or engineering fields.
- 1+ years (Policy Analyst) or 3+ years (Policy Manager) of experience in the legislative, policy, or advocacy field.
- Broad understanding of science, regulatory, and policy issues relating to water and coastal resources.
- Strong writing and editing skills, with a commitment to accuracy and rigor.
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills, including meeting facilitation.
- Ability to prioritize and efficiently execute multiple tasks, perform undirected work with meticulous attention to detail, meet deadlines, and work under pressure on multiple projects.
- Scientific and technical expertise, including expertise in hydrology issues, environmental modeling, water quality analysis, monitoring protocols and other facets of technical environmental work, is preferred.
- Passion for California’s ocean, coast, bays, and rivers.
Physical Requirements
The job entails typical office environment work (sitting at computer, on phone, etc.) and use of standard office equipment. Ability to occasionally travel to various meetings and sites throughout the state is needed.
Salary & Benefits
Salary range is $68,000 – $75,000 (Policy Analyst) or $78,000 – $88,000 annually (Policy Manager), depending on experience. This is a full-time position that reports to the Executive Director. CCKA offers fully paid medical and dental benefits (employee-only), vacation and sick time, an employer-sponsored retirement plan with company match (eligible after one year of full-time service), and a generous holiday schedule.
Location
This is a hybrid position. All candidates for this position must be able to report to the office in Sacramento and/or to various Sacramento-based meetings at least once per week.
