Land Use Advocate

Summary

Founded in 1971, Save Mount Diablo (SMD), a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, California non-profit corporation, is a nationally accredited land trust. SMD acquires and preserves land on and around Mount Diablo, including the mountain’s sustaining Diablo Range. SMD has protected land through land use advocacy and policy work for more than 50 years and is in the middle of a program expansion to the full 12-county Diablo Range, especially in the Land Use & Advocacy Program. This Land Use Advocate (LUA) position presents an outstanding opportunity for an experienced community activist with a land use background to continue and expand that work by applying their knowledge of land use planning to public campaigns, policy response and development, grassroots advocacy, and development projects undergoing formal environmental review in an expanding geographic area. The LUA will also be involved in improving internal organizational systems to streamline departmental administration and project tracking, sustain and increase public engagement in land use issues and formalize knowledge of organizational land use achievements.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Land Conservation Director, and works in close collaboration with the Senior Land Use Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Agency agenda tracking, project research and review, and analysis.
• Representing SMD at community and government agency meetings; making persuasive public comments and presentations.
• Responding to land use projects in the 12-county Diablo Range from Contra Costa County south to Kern and San Luis Obispo Counties, including ballot measures, a national monument campaign, reservoir projects, High Speed Rail, alternative energy projects, etc.
• Travel up and down the Diablo Range to attend advocacy and decision-making body meetings requires use of a vehicle.
• Land use project research, analysis, review and interpretation, and developing or supporting strategy, land campaigns and other responses to development proposals, including document and report creation, EIR comment letters and legislative digests.
• Developing and implementing elected official, planning agency and public outreach and landowner education programs, including constituent hikes and site visits.
• Preparing and directing development of photo, map and other graphic materials for land use reports and presentations.
• Assisting with departmental administration, scheduling and internal reporting.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May manage volunteers and interns active on particular land use projects. Responsibilities include documenting contact information and interests, notifying volunteers about tasks to complete, review and intake of work products and scheduling of potential activities.

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications though we recognize that not every applicant will meet all criteria. If you think you have what it takes to succeed in this role, we want to hear from you!

• Fearlessness. Talented. Driven. Joyful.
• A minimum of 2-4 years of experience in community advocacy
• Familiarity with laws related to land use planning including knowledge of CEQA, ESA and other regulations
• Strong public speaking skills
• Environmental and public policy, grassroots advocacy and coalition building
• Proven high level of competency in research and writing
• Computer proficiency: Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Google Earth
• Ability to be accurate and detailed in accomplishing daily tasks
• Ability to effectively relate to volunteers, program participants, and the general public
• Outgoing personality and sense of humor
• Ability to work independently
• Familiarity with conservation and recreational issues

Education and/or Experience

Activist and policy experience is more essential than directly related academic work. Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, land use or related field desired. Master’s degree preferred. At least 2-4 years of experience in community advocacy related to land use is desired.

Essential Requirements

• Possess valid driver’s license with clean record and current insurance
• Expectation of regular evening and weekend meetings and events, especially in the northern Diablo Range, sometimes further south
• Daily access to a motor vehicle

Physical Demands

The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee must be able to travel to external meetings and provide occasional physical set-up and breakdown of meetings/events. Employee must also be able to hike, occasionally in steep and/or rugged terrain and in inclement weather.

Salary

The starting salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits Include health, dental, vision, and 403(b) retirement plan and employer matching contribution. Flexible work schedule, and partial remote work.

To apply please send your:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two examples of written proficiency
• List of references

to jobs@savemountdiablo.org with your name in the subject line.