Clean Water Advocate

Environment America; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Commuter benefits

401(k) with match

Job summary

Environment America seeks a Clean Water Advocate to build public support for solutions that protect our waterways and ensure safe drinking water in the United States. You will work with our Clean Water Director John Rumpler and our team across the country to build powerful coalitions, organize events, recruit volunteers, and communicate our message to media and decision-makers.

This role focuses on reducing PFAS and lead in drinking water, preventing sewage overflows, and promoting water

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• At least two years of full-time organizing, advocacy, campaigning or legislative experience.
• Ability to build coalitions and work across political spectra.
• Willingness to travel regularly, including evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Build powerful coalitions with national groups and allies.
• Organize webinars, community events and public meetings.
• Recruit and work with volunteers and tell their stories.
• Draft reports, press releases, and op-eds for media.
• Help shape program priorities and policy positions.
• Lobby decision-makers and participate in hearings.
• Draft grant proposals and donor relations.
• Grow the team through recruitment and staff development.

Skills

Excellent writing

Public speaking

Coalition-building

Volunteer recruitment

Job description

Environment America seeks a Clean Water Advocate to build public support for solutions that protect our waterways and ensure safe drinking water in the United States. Environment America’s Clean Water Advocate will work with our Clean Water Director John Rumpler and our team across the country to:

• Protect our drinking water from PFAS and lead.
• Make our waters Safe for Swimming by preventing sewage overflows and runoff pollution.
• Build a vibrant network of leaders and organizations who support clean water.

Key Responsibilities

This position requires excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our goals, including unlikely allies who might agree with us on one issue, even if we disagree on other issues. Represent Environment America in existing national coalitions.
• Organize events: Organize webinars, community events and public meetings, including events that connect the public to opportunities to learn more about water quality and how best they can act to protect our environment and public health. Recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
• Recruit and work with volunteers: Identify and work with volunteers who want to do more and tell their stories about how water pollution has affected their communities.
• Media and communications: Write reports, fact sheets, news releases, website articles, op-eds, and other forms of communication to get our message in the media and heard by decision-makers and the public. Represent Environment America with reporters.
• Help shape program priorities: Participate in policy development, research and messaging to determine our priorities and policy positions for clean water.
• Advocacy: Present a compelling case to decision-makers for strong action on the environment through lobbying, testifying at hearings, and producing powerful written materials. Develop collaborative relationships with legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle and federal agencies to advance our policy goals.
• Fundraise: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff, and raise money from individual donors to bring more resources to our campaigns.
• Grow our team: Build our team by recruiting and managing interns and participating in staff recruitment efforts. Potential to train and oversee staff.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have excellent writing and public speaking skills; at least two years of professional full-time experience in organizing, advocacy, campaigning or legislative work; be a team player; and have the passion and grit to do what it takes to get the work done. Top candidates will also have these qualities:

• Creative and effective at solving complex problems; a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities.
• A connector and good listener with a track record of bringing people together around a common goal; willing and interested in working with people who think differently than you.
• Well-organized and able to work on multiple legislative and administrative proposals at once.
• Fundraising experience, particularly in grant-seeking from charitable foundations.
• Able to travel regularly and be motivated to work when needed, which may sometimes be in the evenings and on weekends.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual compensation range for this position is $41,750-$46,000 for a candidate with 2-5 years of experience. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. Environment America offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location

This position could be based in Boston, MA or Washington, DC.

Why work with Environment America?

Check out 10 reasons: https://environmentamerica.org/why-work-with-us/

About Environment America

Environment America has one mission: to protect the natural world.

We advocate ideas and actions to guide our country onto a greener, healthier path. Our network of 30 state environmental groups promotes clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. Our members put grassroots support behind our research, public education, advocacy and litigation.

Nothing is more important to our future than facing this fact: Infinite economic growth on a finite planet is neither wise nor possible. We must shift from deplete to preserve, from disposable to sustainable, from “never enough” to “enough.” Together, our staff, members and other supporters are committed to winning changes that allow nature to thrive and our children to live healthier, more enriching lives.

Our Mission and Values

Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a new future and a strategic approach to change. Visit https://environmentamerica.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.

Environment America is an equal opportunity employer.