Federal Legislative Director

PennEnvironment; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 41,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to environmental advocacy as the Federal Legislative Director. In this impactful role, you'll lead efforts to protect wildlife and promote renewable energy while lobbying Congress and building coalitions. You'll collaborate with a passionate team, utilizing your strategic thinking and communication skills to influence policy and drive change. With a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, this is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference in the fight for a sustainable future. If you're ready to challenge yourself and advocate for our planet, this position is for you.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) Plan

Parental Leave

Long-term Disability Insurance

Commuter Benefit Program

Training Program

Opportunities for Advancement

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in advocacy, lobbying, or grassroots organizing.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and advance federal policy agenda to protect the environment.
• Lobby Congress and build coalitions across political spectrum.

Skills

Grassroots Organizing

Advocacy

Public Speaking

Strategic Thinking

Team Leadership

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Degree

Job description

Join to apply for the Federal Legislative Director role at PennEnvironment.

Environment America is a policy and action group that tackles the most profound problem of our time: a way of living that is depleting and destabilizing the natural world. Our federal legislative director will lead our work in Washington, DC to advocate for new laws in Congress and defend federal environmental protections.

You’ll work together with leaders at Environment America, our 30 state offices, and The Public Interest Network with decades of experience getting real results for our environment.

Responsibilities

Environment America’s Federal Legislative Director will spearhead our work to advance our policy goals in Washington, DC. This position requires excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Key responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Strategy: Develop and advance our federal policy agenda, including our work to protect wildlife and wild places, expand clean, renewable energy, and defend environmental protections, such as the Clean Water Act.
• Advocacy: Lobby Congress and the federal government on our policy priorities. Advocate for our positions and persuade decision makers to act, while developing collaborative relationships with legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle.
• Coalition Building: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals. Run weekly or monthly coalition meetings with groups that have committed to work together on our campaigns.
• Media and Visibility: Get coverage for our campaigns and vision in the media and other channels to educate and motivate our supporters and decision-makers. Write press releases, op-eds, and letters to the editor; meet with reporters and hold press events; maintain an active social media presence for our campaigns.
• Fundraising: Earn support for your program from foundations and individual donors.
• Build the team: Recruit, hire, and manage more junior advocates and interns to make more progress on our campaigns.

You Are

• Passionate about the environment and using the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns.
• A campaign advocate, grassroots organizer, lobbyist, legislative staffer, or with at least 5 years of experience. Advanced degrees may count toward experience.
• An effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills. Experience getting traditional and digital media coverage in previous work is a plus.
• Creative and effective at solving complex problems; a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities.
• A team leader with a track record of recruiting people and improving performance, or the skills to do so; willing and interested in working with people who think differently than you.
• Well-organized and able to make plans for long-term success, across multiple priorities.
• A hard worker, willing to spend hours calling activists or monitoring middle-of-the-night Senate votes to win your campaigns.

Compensation And Benefits

The target annual compensation for someone with 5-12 years of relevant experience is $41,000-$65,000. 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, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, paid time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long-term disability insurance, and possibly needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Why work with Environment America? Check out 10 reasons: https://environmentamerica.org/why-work-with-us/

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 better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://environmentamerica.org/core-values/ for more information about our network.

Environment America is an equal opportunity employer. We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boosted. Accommodations are provided as required by law.

We’re advocates for energy conservation and renewable power, champions of plastic reduction, and defenders of wildlife and wild places. Our work aims to improve quality of life by reducing pollution and environmental harms through tangible results in clean air, water, energy, wildlife, open spaces, and climate actions.

If you want to work hard, challenge yourself, and make a real impact on environmental issues, consider a career with Environment America.