Policy Director, Sustainable Conservation

Policy Director, Sustainable Conservation

Organization/Grantor:
Sustainable Conservation

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

Description:

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 (learn more about Sustainable Conservation’s programs here).

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.

More specifically, the Policy Director will be representing 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 communicating 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.

Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance, leadership and support to program leadership on policy and strategy issues at the federal, state, and local levels

• Responsible for leading legislative initiatives and select administrative policy initiatives, all in close coordination with Program leads

• Serve as an advocate and policy…