Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation – Lands & Oceans

Title: Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation – Lands & Oceans
Department: Government Affairs
Status: Exempt
Reports to: Conservation Program Director
Positions Reporting to this Position: None
Location: Washington, DC
Travel Requirements: Up to 10%
Union Position: Yes
Job Classification Level: D
Salary Range (depending on experience): $75,945 – $92,697

General Description:

LCV believes our earth is worth fighting for because everyone has a right to clean air, water, and a safe, healthy community that is protected by a just and equitable democracy. To ensure those rights are protected, we help people use their power to shape policy, hold politicians and polluters accountable, and influence elections.

For over 50 years, LCV has grown into a potent political force for protecting our planet and everyone who inhabits it. We have built a powerful national movement with 30+ state affiliates, and grassroots and community organizing programs across the country.

LCV is hiring a Government Affairs Advocate to help lead our advocacy work on land and ocean conservation. We are seeking a dynamic addition to our team to help promote our proactive legislative and executive branch agendas, grounded in racial justice and equity values. The ideal candidate is an effective policy advocate who is committed to advancing racial justice and equity and is collaborative in their approach to advancing policy goals.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Conservation Program Director to craft and implement LCV’s work on various federal conservation policies, including our proactive legislative and executive branch agendas.
• Ensure that all of our federal policy work is advancing racial justice and equity, including through partnerships and coalitions and engagement with leaders of color in Congress.
• Collaborate with LCV’s Government Affairs team, and cross-departmentally with key staff from  the Community and Civic Engagement, Development, and Communications teams, outside coalitions, and our state league partners, as appropriate, to advance our policy goals.
• Directly lobby or advocate conservation policy positions, centered in racial justice, with members of Congress, their staff, and administration officials.
• Research, track, and analyze environmental legislation and executive branch actions.
• Assist in the production of LCV’s nationally-recognized National Environmental Scorecard.
• Ensure the accuracy of LCV’s public materials and work with the Development, Communications, Field, and Chispa teams to advance our policy priorities.
• Partner with the Conservation Voter Movement, a network of over 30 state leagues, on various projects, including joint letters, and provide timely updates on federal legislation.
• Assist with LCV’s electoral work, including work with candidates, PAC investments, and the Congressional Candidate Questionnaire.
• Collaborate with the Development department and other staff to craft materials that will help raise resources for our conservation work.
• Travel up to 10% for in-person work, including to Congress, federal agency offices, offices of partner groups, staff retreats, and conferences, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Work Experience: Required – Must have at least four years experience handling public policy issues, which could include working in a legislative office, in the executive branch, or at an advocacy or political organization. Preferred – Experience in land and ocean conservation policy issues including establishing national monuments, mining/critical minerals, allowing equitable access to public lands among many other important conservation policy issues.
• Skills: Policy analysis and research, federal government relations, coalition-building, excellent written and oral communication skills, including delivering public presentations. Organized and attentive to details; commitment to teamwork and community; ability to handle multiple tasks, effectively prioritize and thrive in a fast-paced setting. Strong interpersonal and communications skills with an ability to develop relationships with individuals representing a rich mix of races, genders, talents, experiences, and backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to apply a racial justice lens to policy analysis.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice, culture, and management philosophy. Understands how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and has a passion for working to dismantle these systems.
• Working Conditions: This job operates in a professional office environment, and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and audiovisual systems. This position is largely sedentary, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. The person in this position frequently communicates with partners and elected representatives, and must be able to exchange accurate information. Applicants need to be located in and legally authorized to work in the United States. LCV requires all employees working from our offices or participating in in-person meetings or events to be fully up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.

LCV offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes vacation, sick and parental leave, personal days, paid holidays, health insurance (two plan options for staff to choose from), dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance (short- and long-term), Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contribution, commuter benefits program, sabbatical, and student loan assistance.

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to hr@lcv.org with “Government Affairs Advocate, Conservation – Lands & Oceans” in the subject line by February 19, 2024. No phone calls please.

LCV is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected status. LCV is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact hr@lcv.org.