Policy Director

About YVSC

Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Steamboat Springs, CO (Routt County) (www.yvsc.org) serving Routt and Moffat Counties. Established in 2009, YVSC is guided by the mission, “to serve as a leader, resource and catalyst for building a sustainable and resilient Yampa Valley region.”  Recognizing the urgent need to address climate change, YVSC is focused on serving as a regional hub for climate mitigation and adaptation actions that put northwest Colorado on track to a lower-carbon and more resilient future. YVSC works to reduce carbon emissions and build resilience to current and projected changes through our four Priority Areas: Energy, Transportation, Resilient Land and Water and Waste/Circularity. We use a range of approaches to advance action on the ground, including: programs, partnerships, planning, policy development and advocacy, project implementation, trainings and educational workshops, conferences and speaker events. 

Position Description

This senior level position brings policy and government affairs expertise and strategy to YVSC’s regional work advancing decarbonization and resilience planning, policies and programs. YVSC’s Policy Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Program Directors to ensure that YVSC has clear policy strategy and voice, channeling YVSC’s expertise and proven impact to shape broader regional, state and national policy and planning discussions. The Policy Director will serve as a trusted resource in policy and planning discussions, equipped to engage strategic and advocacy channels to generate support for science-based, common-sense policies and actions that advance YVSC goals. This position will represent YVSC in diverse settings among diverse stakeholder groups and should be practiced at leading and facilitating bipartisan dialogue on key regional issues, including: transportation, clean energy, waste diversion, land use, forest health and wildfire risk, water, economic development and workforce development.

The Opportunity 

Over the past five years, YVSC has expanded its staff from two to 14 full time professionals, thus significantly increasing the organization’s capability to lead and shape energy, transportation, land and water policy, planning and action in Northwest Colorado. As a nonpartisan, science-based organization,  YVSC’s Policy Director will be key to ensuring that YVSC’s technical expertise and program impacts are best leveraged to drive local, state, and federal policy, planning and decision-making that benefit regional communities and environments. With regular engagement with policymakers, regulatory agencies, organizational partners and funders, this position will represent YVSC as a thought leader while identifying strategic new opportunities the organization should pursue and develop in order to better serve the region. The candidate should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and extensive experience working with legislative and policy processes, as well as a deep appreciation and understanding of the ways civic engagement strengthens policy processes and outcomes. 

Responsibilities will include: 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive government relations strategy to protect and advance YVSC’s goals of rapid decarbonization and investments in resilience.
• Track and analyze relevant local, state and federal legislative and regulatory developments to understand and communicate their impacts on the regional community, climate, resilience and decarbonization.
• Identify and prioritize emerging bipartisan policy and science-based collaborative initiative opportunities, balancing proactive leadership with responsiveness to shifting political landscapes.
• Partner with YVSC staff to ensure that policy solutions are viable, scientifically grounded and effectively communicated.
• Expand and strengthen strategic partnerships, ensuring YVSC maintains and builds relationships that amplify its policy impact.
• Analyze and advise on governmental affairs and public policy issues as well as direct public information initiatives.
• Translate YVSC’s policy and action successes into local, state and federal funding opportunities, helping to secure financial support from foundations, major donors, and institutional funders.
• Develop and lead public relations strategies.
• Maintain current knowledge of government changes and actions.
• Work collaboratively with other organizations and stakeholders to build coalitions and alliances that advance regional climate goals and successes.
• Work with YVSC communication staff to develop communications materials that inspire civic engagement and leadership.
• Support Program Directors in ensuring that policy initiatives are aligned with program and fundraising needs, helping to sustain and expand YVSC’s work.
• Lead or facilitate YVSC Board committee discussions and activities relating to advocacy, government and/or public affairs.
• Participate in and support other YVSC activities, planning processes, events and community engagement opportunities to ensure the success and growth of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• B.S./B.A. degree in political science, public administration, or a related field, and at least 15 years of professional experience in a related field, or equivalent combination of education/professional experience.
• A deep understanding of legislative processes, regulatory environments, and political landscapes and a track record of influential bipartisan, science-based advocacy and policy success.
• Proven ability to design and execute policy, government and public affairs strategies.
• Proven ability to build and lead coalitions and foster partnerships that create broad-based support for climate solutions.
• Track record of achieving policy wins through advocacy, legislation or regulatory action.
• Ability to work well in cross-functional team settings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term strategies to achieve policy goals.
• Ability to analyze complex policy issues and communicate them effectively.
• Strong familiarity with policy landscapes and decision-making processes in Colorado, especially issues pertaining to water, energy, land use, transportation and waste diversion on the Western slope.
• Genuine passion to carry out YVSC’s mission and help the region both mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Experience in policy research and analysis.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and fostering a positive organizational culture.