Job Summary:

The Federal Policy Advocate provides management and leadership for NRCM’s efforts to influence federal environmental issues related to climate, clean energy, clean water, wildlife, and public lands policies. Primary responsibility is mobilizing communications with Maine’s Congressional delegation regarding critical votes and issues that could affect Maine’s environment.

The Federal Policy Advocate will manage and provide leadership for NRCM’s Federal Program, develop and oversee implementation of federal advocacy campaign plans, and help coordinate NRCM’s federal work with state and national coalition partners. The Federal Policy Advocate develops and maintains relationships with business, civic, and community leaders who advocate on our issues with Maine’s Congressional delegation.

NRCM requires full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Full vaccination is considered to be two weeks beyond the second Pfizer or Moderna shots or beyond the Johnson & Johnson shot plus booster shots as recommended by the CDC.

Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives will attract the best ideas to NRCM and help us shape a healthier, more vibrant future for all of us who share our planet. By honoring and celebrating people’s diversity, NRCM can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the state. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and peaceful world. We therefore strongly encourage applications from people who identify with or who are members of marginalized communities. In an effort to eliminate as much bias as possible, NRCM’s policy is to redact personaly identifiable information from initial candidate review.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY:

https://app.eddy.com/careers/nrcm/c9cddbdc-bb09-408b-87f5-e286f36353f1

Qualifications:

• Well-established knowledge of environmental policy, climate and clean energy policy expertise preferred.
• At least five years professional experience, with a demonstrated record of excellence and accomplishments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including ability to think strategically and motivate others toward taking action.
• Prior experience with electoral or public interest issue campaigns.
• Experience in program development, planning, project management, and evaluation.
• Ability to learn policy issues quickly and communicate complex issues in simple and persuasive terms.
• Strong outreach, organizing, and public engagement skills. Strong communication skills including writing and public speaking.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and be held accountable.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies, including staff from other nonprofits, business leaders, and the general public.
• Ability to work in coalitions and through team-based approaches.
• Proficient with word processing, electronic advocacy, and database management.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies preferred or equivalent experience.
• Ability to travel (once safe) and work occasional evening hours (e.g.. for presentations, meetings).
• Commitment to and passion for environmental issues and NRCM’s mission.

Supervisor: Outreach Director

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Salary Range: $45,000-$55,000

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for NRCM’s Federal Program.
• Design, coordinate, and implement public engagement campaigns to influence Maine’s Congressional delegation. Coordinate campaign activities through meetings and communications with allied groups and supporters.
• Build an expanding network of strategic relationships with key decision-makers who may influence Maine’s Congressional delegation.
• Identify opportunities and brief Outreach Director for direct engagement with Maine’s Congressional delegation and staff.
• Coordinate NRCM’s yearlong effort to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, including a calendar of events, communications, and other outreach strategies.
• Engage NRCM members, key members of the public, business and civic communities, other organizations, and elected officials in many Maine communities to educate and engage them on environmental issues, including at meetings and events and through one-on-one conversations.
• Develop and deliver presentations to targeted audiences, including virtually, as part of efforts to recruit and inform activists, allies, and supporters.
• Media engagement and generation of advocacy communications materials, including draft op-eds, letters-to-the-editor, and fact sheets, to build or maintain high profile of major initiatives.
• Conduct independent research and writing to create content for factsheets, blog posts, and other informational and organizational materials, including regular upkeep and updates to NRCM website.
• Identify campaign needs to promote policy objectives and work with communications, outreach, and other program staff to generate such content and deliverables.
• Serve as lead contact with national partners.
• Manage and track progress and expenditures of the Federal Program’s annual work plan and budget.
• Manage consultants associated with outsourced work.
• Prepare staff reports for senior staff and the NRCM Board of Directors.
• Work with Philanthropy staff on grants and fundraising strategies.
• Solicit ongoing performance feedback from colleagues and use that feedback for professional development.

Common NRCM Job Responsibilities:

NRCM is committed to a positive work culture where diversity is honored and respected. To this end, all employees are expected to:

• Maintain positive and productive working relationships with all NRCM staff members and also with NRCM’s members, external partners, policymakers, and the general public. This includes proactive work on understanding and addressing issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; providing and receiving constructive feedback; and a willingness to resolve conflicts constructively.
• Participate in organizational meetings and activities as requested, such as monthly staff meetings, trainings, and ad hoc planning committees.
• Complete all administrative work on time, such as time sheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.
• Be familiar with and follow organizational protocols and policies.

Physical Requirements of the Job:

The job requires working at a computer station for substantial lengths of time; performing office duties such as phoning, filing, and copying, and the ability to lift objects up to 10 pounds.

NRCM will provide reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Workplace Environment:

NRCM strives to provide a supportive work environment through fair and competitive compensation and benefits, up-to-date equipment and IT support, adequate supervision, and ongoing professional development. The work environment is friendly, fun, cooperative, and very fast-paced. Staff members need to be able to work independently and adapt to changing priorities. We are committed to ensuring that our staff members actively work on diversity and inclusion in the field. This work is supported by staff policy, training, and mentoring, and through fostering an organization that prioritizes fairness and respect.

Our office is located in Augusta near the State House. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all staff whose job responsibilities can be conducted away from the office have been working remotely, with the option to come into the office on a prearranged basis. NRCM is following state and federal recommendations in establishing guidelines for reopening the office.

NRCM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation, or national origin. NRCM will provide reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Compensation:

NRCM is committed to providing fair and competitive compensation to its employees. We base our compensation decisions on:

• A biennial market survey of comparable organizations and localities.
• An evaluation of employee qualifications that does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation or national origin.
• High employee performance that advances our strategic plan and other organizational priorities.
• Availability of financial resources for the organization.