Policy Director

Direct message the job poster from Sustainable Conservation

Anticipated

Start Date:

February 1, 2026

Experience Level: At least 5-10 years of experience participating in policy efforts across California, at the local, state,and federal level

Job Type: Exempt, full time with benefits

To Apply:

Please send your cover letter and resume to  and include “Policy Director” in the subject line.

Sustainable Conservation (a leading non-profit in its field) advances the collaborative stewardship of California’s land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. Every day, we bring together businesses, landowners, scientists, community representatives, and government in some of the most productive yet economically disadvantaged parts of California, to steward the resources on which we all depend in ways that are just and make economic sense.

Please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to learn more about our work.

Sustainable Conservation builds uncommon partnerships between agriculture, business, conservationists, communities, and public agencies to deliver practical, science-based solutions that support accelerated restoration of California’s rivers, wetlands and estuaries; a clean, reliable water supply; healthy soil; and resilient landscapes. The organization listens to all perspectives, builds trusted partnerships and co-creates solutions that are just and sustainable for the environment, economy, and people.

Sustainable Conservation’s policy work is informed by its on-the-ground experience and partnerships. Current initiatives include addressing the lack of clean drinking water for over one million Californians, advancing groundwater recharge, reducing on-farm pollution, promoting soil health, and reimagining waste through nutrient reuse. Our vision is a climate-resilient California with healthy water ecosystems, reduced flood risk, and agricultural practices that sustain natural resources while feeding the state and nation.

Guided by values of collaboration, respect, honesty, learning, well-being, and results, Sustainable Conservation works persistently to deliver systemic, lasting benefits for California’s environment and people.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Policy Director, in collaboration with program directors, leads Sustainable Conservation’s efforts whenever successful achievement of the organization’s goals would benefit from the creation or change of rules, regulations, or statutory law, or a substantive change in the interpretation of a public agency’s role or mission, or when policy negotiation, advising, or cooperation is required between Sustainable Conservation and private sector, NGO, and/or public agency stakeholders.

The Policy Director tracks what is happening in Sacramento and across the state and thinks strategically about how to best position Sustainable Conservation’s programs to influence aspects of state policy relevant to work in achieving the organization’s goals. As Sustainable Conservation embraces the essential role of equity in environmental policy, the Policy Director will play an influential role in leading the integration of equity into all of Sustainable Conservation’s policy work.

The Policy Director will also represent Sustainable Conservation’s interests in the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, CV-SALTS, Irrigated Lands Regulatory Programs and the Dairy General Order among other policies, and actively communicate with a variety of state and regional agencies including the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Food & Agriculture.

The Policy Director also provides advice and recommendations on policy positions and actions to the Chief Executive Officer, program staff, and the Board, and helps ensure that policy positions advocated by the organization with all government agencies, legislative bodies, and stakeholders are consistent with the positions approved by the organization.

Location:

This position can be based at our San Francisco or Sacramento office but will collaborate with our Modesto team as…