Water Policy Director

 About the Opportunity

The Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) seeks a full-time water policy director. This is an opportunity to put your professional skills and creative energies to work for the cause of cleaner, healthier, more sustainable water resources for Indiana.

 Preferred Characteristics

Above all, HEC seeks professionals who are passionate about the environment, and who work collaboratively and creatively.

The ideal candidate will be:

• A coalition builder who can work as part of a team to bring together individuals, NGO’s, business leaders, faith communities, elected officials, and other change-makers to align interests and work toward shared policy goals.
• A strategic thinker who can maximize impact of effort and resources.
• A communicator who can share complex scientific and policy issues as understandable messages.
• Experienced in water issues in the Midwestern United States.

While not a requirement for this position, the following will be considered a plus:  a bachelor’s degree or more in environmental science, geology, hydrology, environmental engineering, or public policy.

 Job Responsibilities

HEC’s water policy director will look for strategic opportunities to move Indiana toward a path of valuing and safeguarding our natural clean water resources and ecosystems. Working collaboratively within the HEC team, the water policy director will need to prioritize time and resources toward those which can have the most significant impact.  Responsibilities may include:

• Monitor for, analyze, track, and provide testimony on water-related bills introduced in the Indiana General Assembly as a member of HEC’s Legislative Team.
• Develop and implement programs to advance environmentally sound state water policy both during and between legislative sessions, including:
  • Developing partnerships and working with coalitions,
  • Working with elected officials,
  • Drafting and promoting favorable policies, and
  • Raising public awareness in partnership with HEC’s Outreach and Marketing Team and with partner organizations.
• Monitor state agencies for water-related rulemaking or policy changes, particularly the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and advocate for favorable policies.
• Provide technical assistance to organizations and citizens around Indiana with local water-related challenges.
• Attend appropriate professional conferences, such as the Indiana Water Summit and Indiana Water Resources Association conference, to stay up to date on state water issues, network, and to speak or represent HEC as an exhibitor, when possible.
• Seek funding and write grants to support HEC’s water program in partnership with HEC’s Development Team.
• Write reports for the grants which support HEC’s water program.
• Track and comment on priority wetland permits in the Upper White River watershed.
• Advocate for low-impact development and green infrastructure as means of protecting water resources.

About HEC

As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983, the Hoosier Environmental Council has brought together a talented and committed team who care deeply about Hoosier quality of life and our environment and believe the two are intricately connected. HEC is guided by science, a deep appreciation of nature, and an understanding that every community and every individual deserves to live without harassment and ill effects of harmful environmental policy and practices.