Senior Associate, Water Equity and Climate Resilience Job Description
Department: Program
Reports to: Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Remote, with preference for candidates based in Washington, DC or the Southern US; must reside and be authorized to work in the United States of America
About PolicyLink
PolicyLink is a national research and action institute that is working to build a future where all people in the United States of America can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities of opportunity.
Water Equity and Climate Resilience Portfolio
The PolicyLink Water Equity and Climate Resilience (WECR) program vision is to ensure that all people in the United States have safe and affordable drinking water, and that water infrastructure investments build climate resilience. Our WECR team employs multiple strategies — including, but not limited to, (1) advocacy and coalition-building; (2) model policy; and (3) narrative strategy — to address the root causes of economic and racial disparities in access to water infrastructure and exposure to the impacts of climate change. The WECR team also anchors, and works closely with members of the Water Equity and Climate Resilience (WECR) Caucus, a national network of frontline community-based organizations and allies advancing policies and community solutions at the intersection of water, climate, and justice.
Position Overview
The PolicyLink WECR Team is seeking an experienced water policy advocate with a strong background in organizing and implementing policy campaigns at the federal and/or state level. The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with frontline and low-income communities, have a demonstrated history of centering racial and economic justice in their work, excellent project management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally. We are looking for someone who is passionate about issues of racial and economic justice, climate resilience, and water infrastructure to join our team.
The Senior Associate will collaborate closely with the Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience to drive key initiatives within the WECR team: including, the “Water Affordability for All” campaign, developing regional policy priorities with partners in the South and West, and advancing the organization’s efforts to address water equity and climate resilience.
Responsibilities
The Senior Associate will be responsible for the following key areas:
Development and Management of Water Affordability for All Policy Campaign
The WECR Caucus has established a general framework for addressing the growing national water affordability crisis. The Senior Associate will collaborate closely with the Director and WECR partners to develop and implement a comprehensive national and (potential state) water affordability campaign strategy. Responsibilities may include:
- Facilitating (2-4 calls per month) WECR Caucus Water Affordability workgroup calls and/or strategy calls with workgroup members to collaboratively develop a federal water affordability policy agenda;
- Ensuring execution of the Affordability campaign workplan through facilitating regular internal/external strategy calls;
- Overseeing execution of the communications/narrative strategy to amplify the campaign’s impact.
- Developing relevant material (e.g., leave behinds, comment letters, coalition letters, etc.) for engaging with policymakers and relevant federal agencies.
Expansion of PolicyLink’s Water Policy Agenda
The Senior Associate will coordinate with the WECR team and other coalition partners to expand PolicyLink’s water policy agenda. Responsibilities may include:
- Facilitating (1-2 calls per month) WECR Caucus Federal Advocacy workgroup calls;
- Developing a “curriculum” for the Workgroup calls for the year based on input from workgroup members; and
- Supporting other WECR Caucus Workgroup leads to integrate water/climate priorities into PolicyLink’s WECR policy agenda.
Support Development of a Southern Water/Climate Policy Agenda
This role will support the creation of a Southern regional water/climate policy agenda by working closely with partners, especially those leading the WECR Southern Regional Workgroup, including Bayou City Waterkeepers and The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans.
Responsibilities may include:
- Day-to-day management of the final year of the Southern States SRF Analysis and Advocacy project (project ends Nov 2025);
- Supporting regional and federal advocacy efforts related to SRF reform, including co-anchoring the SRF Advocate Forum;
- Providing ongoing support to Southern partners in their regional advocacy.
Support Development of Federal Trainings and Resources
The Senior Associate will help develop federal training resources, including primers, to support WECR Caucus members in engaging with federal advocacy. Responsibilities may include:
- Co-developing training materials and resources for federal water/climate advocacy
- Supporting WECR Caucus members during DC fly-ins and other advocacy efforts
Desired Skills, Abilities , and Knowledge
- 5+ years of experience in water and/or environmental justice policy advocacy, with a proven track record of building and managing policy campaigns at the federal or state level.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice and experience supporting low-income communities and communities of color.
- Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders, especially in relation to coalition-building and engaging with frontline organizations.
- Exceptional research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to produce rigorous, accessible policy documents.
- A self-starter with strong time management skills, able to effectively manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, rigorous, and accessible policy-relevant documents.
- Experience in facilitating and leading frequent coalition calls, particularly via Zoom meetings.
- Ability and willingness to travel as needed (approximately 2-4 days per month).
We understand that no single candidate may possess all of the traits listed above. If you have a combination of interests, skills, and experience related to the responsibilities outlined — and a passion for this work — we encourage you to apply, even if you feel there may be a gap in your qualifications. Thank you for your interest in joining our Water Equity and Climate Resilience team at PolicyLink.
Education and Experience Qualifications
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in a related field, preferably within a racial justice nonprofit organization addressing similar issues.
- Strong commitment to advancing racial justice, economic, and social equity, with experience working alongside low-income communities of color to develop and implement solutions.
- Master’s degree in urban planning, community development, public policy, public health, or a related field, along with relevant experience.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $90,000 – $120,000, dependent upon experience. PolicyLink offers competitive salaries based on the experience and skills of employees.
Additionally, PolicyLink provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- 100%-employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions that vest immediately. New employees are eligible to participate within one month of their date of hire.
- Flexible Spending Account.
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Group term life insurance plus guaranteed-issue voluntary life insurance.
- Unlimited vacation and sick leave and other generous leave benefits.
- Three required organization reset weeks plus 13 paid holidays.
To Apply
We accept online applications only. Please note that the application includes two written prompts that are required. Candidates should provide thoughtful and complete responses to the prompts; incomplete answers will not be considered.
No phone calls please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
PolicyLink strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We work toward a more inclusive world and as such we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment.
Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.
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