Description
Position Summary
The Public Policy Manager plays a critical role in executing Blue Water Baltimore’s policy and advocacy efforts by advancing our local and state policy agenda. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Community Advocacy, this position is responsible for tracking legislation and regulatory activity, coordinating public testimony and campaigns, and supporting community-driven advocacy.
The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, detail-oriented, and passionate about implementing policies that support clean water, environmental justice, and climate resilience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Policy Implementation & Advocacy Support
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and budget developments at the local and state levels relevant to water quality, stormwater, climate adaptation, and public health.
- Draft public testimony, sign-on letters, fact sheets, and position statements for internal and external audiences.
- Coordinate logistics and materials for legislative hearings, meetings with policymakers, and coalition calls.
- Track key bills and regulatory actions and maintain internal policy tracking tools.
- Community Engagement & Mobilization
- Work closely with the Senior Manager of Community Advocacy to support resident engagement in public decision-making processes.
- Prepare community members, volunteers, and staff to testify at hearings or meet with elected officials. ? Assist in planning and executing advocacy trainings and public outreach events.
- Coalition & Partner Coordination
- Represent Blue Water Baltimore in environmental and social justice coalitions; attend regular coalition meetings and provide updates to internal teams.
- Strengthen relationships with partner organizations and coordinate joint advocacy efforts. ? Provide administrative support to policy campaigns, including scheduling, note-taking, and follow-ups.
- Communications & Content Development
- Collaborate with the Advancement team to support digital advocacy campaigns and content related to policy priorities.
- Draft blog posts, social media content, and action alerts that reflect BWB’s voice and values. ? Help ensure consistent messaging around policy issues across programs.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- 2–4 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, community organizing, or a related field. ? Strong understanding of legislative and/or regulatory processes in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and/or Maryland.
- Excellent communication skills, especially in writing clear and compelling materials for diverse audiences. ? Demonstrated commitment to racial, environmental, and social justice.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate across teams and coalitions.
- Comfort engaging with elected officials, agency staff, and community stakeholders.
- Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not essential.
- Experience supporting or coordinating advocacy campaigns.
- Knowledge of environmental policy, water quality, climate change, or public health issues. ? Bilingual skills or experience working in multilingual community settings.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial, environmental, and social justice, with experience applying JEDI principles in development or communications work.
Physical Demands, Work Environment, & Schedule
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
This is a hybrid position with some in-person work required at BWB’s Baltimore office and local events. Occasional evening and weekend work to support hearings, meetings, or community events. Travel within the Baltimore region and to Annapolis during the legislative session is expected.
Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements
may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
