Policy Advocate, California

Earthjustice is seeking a number of attorneys and advocates — see our opportunities here: http://www.earthjustice.org/jobs.

Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time — fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protection. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee, Washington, D.C., and a satellite office in Sacramento.

The California Regional Office fights for the rights of all to a healthy environment regardless of where in the state they live; we fight to protect the magnificent natural spaces and wildlife found in California; and we fight to transition California to a zero-emissions future where cars, trucks, buildings, and power plants run on clean energy, not fossil fuels. We are searching for a Regional Policy Advocate who can help us advocate for these priorities before the state legislature, Governor’s office, and administrative agencies.

The California Policy Advocate will be responsible for working with California Regional Office staff and other Earthjustice team members, as appropriate, to develop and implement legislative and administrative strategies in Sacramento, under the direction of the California Regional Office Managing Attorney. Our current California priorities include protecting frontline communities and public lands from oil and gas development, safeguarding ecosystems and imperiled species, advancing clean energy innovation towards a zero-emissions future, improving air quality for vulnerable communities in Los Angeles and the Central Valley, and fighting dangerous pesticide use that impacts communities and ecosystems. For more information about the California Regional Office’s work, visit https://earthjustice.org/office/California.

This role is hybrid, based in our Sacramento office. Travel to other parts of the state required as needed. The Policy Advocate will work closely on California advocacy with other programs within Earthjustice (for example, our Clean Energy Program), and interface with our Washington DC-based Policy and Legislation office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement legislative and administrative strategies, in partnership with California Regional Office staff and with input from other program staff, to advance our positions on priority environmental and environmental-justice issues in California.
• Directly educate and lobby the California legislature, Governor’s Office, and key administrative agencies and commissions on priority issues.
• Track and analyze legislation and other developments relating to California Regional priority issues, and other program priority issues, as appropriate.
• Interface with Earthjustice regional offices and programs to support and inform their work relating to California state policy.
• Collaborate with Earthjustice lawyers and researchers on advocacy for Earthjustice’s California priority goals, including participating in internal working groups on relevant work of the California Regional Office (e.g. Right to Zero, Oil and Gas Extraction, etc) and other programs, as appropriate.
• Draft new legislation and policies and amendments to existing laws and policies.
• Work closely with existing partners and clients, and cultivate new allies, strategic relationships, partnerships, and coalitions.
• Establish effective coalition strategies in support of rulemaking proceedings before administrative agencies, in collaboration with other staff in the California Regional Office and with other programs.
• Create advocacy materials such as legislative and policy memoranda, reports, briefing papers, fact sheets, letters of support or opposition, action alerts, and blogs.
• Engage with federal Policy and Legislative (PAL) staff on issues that involve intersections between California and federal policy.
• Work with our communications team and consultants on media outreach efforts on priority issues.
• Assist as appropriate with fundraising efforts relating to relevant issue areas, as needed by the Managing Attorney and Development staff.
• Serve as a spokesperson for Earthjustice on issues relevant to legislative and policy priorities in California.
• Supervise projects and other efforts performed in connection with priority legislative and administrative issues by Earthjustice attorneys, assistants, interns, or contractors.

Qualifications

• At least five years’ experience in legislative service, lobbying, and/or government relations in California.
• Graduate Degree preferred.
• Knowledge of the California legislature, legislative process, and state political landscape.
• Prior experience working in coalitions to develop and run a lobbying campaign.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong writing and oral communications skills, including experience in working with traditional and social media.
• Detail oriented and strong organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work in coalitions and with allies.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with proven ability to work independently and proactively.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a diverse set of clients and partner organizations.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Experience with state and federal environmental laws, environmental justice, and/or clean energy issues a plus.
• Proficiency in Spanish or other languages is a plus.

Salary is based on experience and location.
Salary range in Sacramento, CA: $122,700 - $136,300

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit via Jobvite:

• Resume.
• One or two page cover letter.
• Writing sample, preferably 4-5 pages that reflects your work.

We are looking to hire a candidate who is available to start by January 2025. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by October 6, 2024. After that, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The office employs a hybrid approach where staff are in the office a minimum of one day per week and as necessary depending on case and office needs and may otherwise choose whether to work remotely or in the office.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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