California Regional Policy Manager

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL POLICY MANAGER   

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 coordinate with Surfriderʼs California Regional Managers and California Surfrider Chapters, reporting to the West Coast Regional Director.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Devise and implement 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 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.
• Support successful implementation of the California Coastal Act through ongoing engagement in the California Coastal Commission and other policy venues.
• Support California marine protected areas (MPAs) through community-based outreach and advocacy, and state agency and legislative engagement.
• Develop communications and campaign materials for the California-based chapter network, including blog posts, newsletters, and 1 pagers.
• 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.
• In partnership with the California Regional Managers and West Coast Regional Director, 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 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 3 years of experience working in an environmental policy role and/or advocacy.
• In-depth knowledge of the California legislative process and the issues affecting coastal communities and ocean ecosystems.
• Knowledge of state, regional, and national environmental management and policies.
• Commitment to Surfrider mission priorities.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with elected officials, agency staff, industry representatives, and ocean stakeholders.
• 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 experience communicating, both orally and in writing, with agency staff, bipartisan elected officials, industry representatives, and stakeholders.
• 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.
• 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: Manager (Policy Manager)

Salary Range: $65,000 Minimum – $92,000 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: Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage monthly premiums compensated 100% by Surfrider Foundation, Long-Term Disability insurance, Employee Assistance program (EAP), Section 125 Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 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). Surfrider also provides paid holidays, vacation and sick time. We also provide 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.  

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