Job Type
Full-time
Description
ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED
Trout Unlimited seeks an experienced Policy Advocate to help us formulate and advance our strategic conservation policy work in California. The ideal candidate is creative and solution-oriented, adept at policy advocacy, and possesses a passion for collaborative conservation.
Trout Unlimited is the nation’s leading conservation organization working to care for and recover rivers and streams and their trout and salmon populations. We bring people together across the country to be champions for their rivers and help make our water cleaner and our communities healthier. Founded by a small band of Michigan anglers in 1959, we have grown into a national organization with more than 350 staff, 400 chapters, and 300,000 members and supporters. We bring science-driven restoration know-how, state and national policy muscle, and local volunteer energy to bear on behalf of clean water, healthy trout and salmon and thriving communities. In California, TU has a full-time staff of over 25 individuals working across the state in a highly collaborative environment, with a diversity of partners including landowners, tribes, state and federal resource management agencies, private and public funders, and other NGOs.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Policy Advocate will have primary responsibility for advancing TU’s policy priorities in the California legislature, and will be the primary point of contact with legislators and staff within the Capitol and with the governor’s office. In addition, the Policy Advocate will work with other members of the California team in developing TU’s state-level policy agenda and priorities, and will support our advocacy before leadership at the state agencies. The Policy Advocate will also play a lead role in forming and nurturing our alliances with partners and stakeholders, and coordinating with TU’s grassroots membership in support of our mission. Lastly, the Policy Advocate will help ensure that TU’s policy, legislative and regulatory work in California is coordinated and in alignment with TU’s national government affairs staff, and provide support for our broader policy advocacy as needed.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support TU staff and grassroots leaders in developing our conservation policy priorities and policy advocacy strategies
- Build and maintain strong relationships with legislators, staff, the governor’s office, policy-makers, and natural resource agency decision-makers
- Represent TU on policy matters in the state legislature
- Assist the California Director and key staff with federal elected official relations
- Build and maintain relationships with TU’s California staff and grassroots leaders to achieve a high level of collaboration between staff and volunteers
- Assist with foundation, major donor and corporate fundraising to sustain and grow TU’s work in California
- Support TU’s communications, including writing content for TU’s social media platforms and blog, as assigned.
- Work closely with other conservation and fishing organizations, tribes and potential partners to achieve common policy objectives and leverage TU resources
- Must be present in Sacramento on a full-time basis during the legislative session
Requirements
The ideal candidate will have:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree
- Preferred: 3-5 years’ experience working in the California state legislature, preferably on issues pertaining to natural resource conservation, water policy/management, and the environment
- Understanding of natural resource policy and management issues relevant to the conservation of trout and salmon and their habitats in California, and ability to convey this understanding to people with little knowledge of the subject
- Familiarity with state-level politics relevant to TU’s mission
- Ability and desire to establish and build strong working relationships with colleagues and diverse partners
- Strategic planning skills and experience
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Ability to problem-solve and think creatively
- Ability and willingness to be present in Sacramento during the legislative session
- Ability and willingness to travel in-state and occasionally out-of-state, including some weekend travel. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required
- Passion for TU’s mission and conserving California’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
At TU we understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. The salary range is $75,000 – $90,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.
At TU we value diversity, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and our shared waters. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Please complete the full application and include a cover letter and three professional references with your resume via our online job application system. We will begin reviewing applications on November 10th. The position is open until filled.
Salary Description
$75,000 to $90,000
