California Policy Associate Director

CALIFORNIA POLICY – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

ABOUT US:

The Surfrider Foundation is the world’s largest grassroots coastal conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. We have achieved many important victories by persuading state, federal, and local decision makers to protect vital coastal and ocean resources. These accomplishments demonstrate the important role of recreational users in advancing coastal and ocean stewardship. Since 1984, Surfrider’s appeal is not only our strong reputation and track record of success, but also the lifestyle and values we embody. 

By joining the Surfrider Foundation, you will be welcomed into an open and inclusive network of incredibly supportive and collaborative people who work hard and play hard. You will have the opportunity to work with dedicated people who are also passionate coastal users with their feet in the sand and toes in the water. You help bring together diverse voices and perspectives to provide our community with the leadership and tools necessary to make a difference at their beach and in coastal communities across the United States. At Surfrider, we build leaders, and we are problem solvers; our culture sets us apart and influences everything we do. Coastal recreation is fun and working at Surfrider is too.

OPPORTUNITY:

The Surfrider Foundation seeks to hire an individual to advance conservation of California’s coastal and marine ecosystems by strategically engaging ocean and coastal recreational users in policy initiatives, ocean planning, and community-based management forums. This position will be responsible for implementation of strategic plan objectives of Surfrider’s initiatives by enacting California statewide policies and engaging the California chapter network at the local and state level. This position will oversee the California policy team and will report to the West Coast Regional Director.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Devise, implement and lead advocacy and organizing strategies to advance Surfrider Foundation’s mission in California.
• Supervise and manage two direct reports: the California Sr. Policy Coordinator and San Diego County Policy Manager
• Work in partnership with California Regional Managers to engage Surfrider’s California chapters in ocean and coastal campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Work in partnership with Initiative staff to advance statewide policy in California.
• Work in collaboration with marine advisory bodies, NGO partners, state agencies, and others in supporting coastal and ocean planning and policy initiatives.
• Advance state policy campaigns by building and leading coalitions, testifying in hearings, engaging our grassroots network, supporting ocean legislative champions, and co-organizing California Ocean Day.
• Help raise awareness of ocean and coastal conservation issues and campaigns in California through media outreach.
• Engage in outreach and consensus building with ocean stakeholders including: non-consumptive users, commercial and recreational fishermen, Tribal Nations, conservationists, environmental justice organizations, and more.
• Work closely with the California Regional Managers to develop volunteer opportunities, increase organizational membership, and support grassroots participation in ocean policy initiatives and conservation campaigns.
• Support the California-based Regional Managers in developing and implementing chapter programs including Ocean Friendly Restaurants, Blue Water Task Force, Ocean Friendly Gardens, Climate Action Program, and Beach Cleanups.
• Lead and initiate annual strategic planning and work plan development that aligns with Surfrider Foundation’s organizational strategic plan.
• Maintain positive relationships with the philanthropic community and donors, and work with Surfrider Foundation Development staff to identify grant opportunities, craft funding proposals, and complete grant reports.
• Represent Surfrider Foundation and ocean recreational constituency on regional advisory boards and state coalitions.
• Support California Regional Managers and Sr. Director of Network Strategy in the development and content planning of regional conferences.

Reports to: West Coast Regional Director

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate degree in environmental management, ocean policy, and/or marine science is preferred, but not required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in an environmental policy role and/or advocacy.
• In-depth knowledge of the California legislative process, issues affecting coastal communities and ocean ecosystems, and the ocean conservation community
• Knowledge of state, regional, and national environmental management and policies.
• Strong management experience
• Commitment to Surfrider mission priorities.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with elected officials, agency staff, industry representatives, ocean stakeholders, and the media.
• Experience speaking publicly in front of a large number of people in diverse situations.
• Experience in grassroots organizing, community outreach, and coalition building.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple, complex tasks and to establish and regularly evaluate priorities.
• Professional training and experience in grassroots organizing, community outreach, policy development, and coalition building.
• Proven success in project management including coordinating teams of diverse individuals.
• Experience in grant management, reporting, and communication with foundation program officers.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred, but not required.

LOCATION, TRAVEL AND SCHEDULE: 

• Candidate must reside in California; candidate works primarily from in-home office with the option to work from Surfrider Headquarters in San Clemente, if residing locally.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout California.
• Willingness to work flexible hours (including some weekends and evenings).

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary Range Transparency:

Category Level: Associate Director  

Salary Range: $70,000 Minimum – $110,000 Maximum

How Does the Surfrider Foundation Establish Salary Ranges? 

The Surfrider Foundation researches, evaluates, and compares like-sized non-profit organizations to establish ranges for each position level to ensure that employees are justly compensated. The established range takes multiple factors into account; experience, educational background, scope and complexity of work, special skills, added value to the organization, geographic cost-of-living, inflation/current market demand, equity, and more. The Surfrider Foundation prides itself on a high rate of retention, with 32% of staff having been employed with the organization for 10+ years. Please keep in mind that the maximum end of our ranges also account for longevity and tenure within the role.  

Benefits: 

• Health: Medical, dental and vision benefit premiums are paid 100% by Surfrider Foundation for employee-only coverage. Dependents may be added on at an additional cost.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan offering a match of .50¢ of every dollar contributed by the employee up to a maximum of 4% of earnings (in other terms, a 2% employer match).
• Vacation accrual: Enjoy a generous allotment of vacation days per year. Rollover unused days to the following year, subject to company maximum accrual policy.
• Sick time accrual: 12 sick days/year
• Holidays: 20 paid holidays total in 2024 (including Summer Fridays)
• Happy Healthy Summer Fridays: We provide several half Friday’s to get outside and an early start to your weekend!
• Parental Leave: Surfrider provides 6 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
• Other Benefits: Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

JEDI COMMITMENT: The Surfrider Foundation is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization for all people who protect and enjoy the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. Our success and impact depend on learning from our community, standing in solidarity with our allies and working towards a more just future, both for our organization and the environmental movement as a whole.   The Surfrider Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Together we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other protected class.   To learn more about our Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments, please visit: https://www.surfrider.org/pages/diversity-equity-inclusion