Policy Officer – Water

Groundworks New Mexico; Santa Fe, Northern (NM, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

PTO

Professional development funding

401(k) match

Job summary

Groundworks New Mexico is seeking a senior program leader to guide strategy for modernizing water management in New Mexico and to build climate-resilient systems. You will manage a multi-year grant portfolio from application through reporting and help assemble bipartisan coalitions with Tribal and diverse stakeholders.

You will coordinate with funders, report to the President, and align with related initiatives while ensuring regulatory compliance and timely progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Master's degree or JD preferred.
• Strong understanding of New Mexico politics is highly desirable.
• Entrepreneurial, self-directed and collaborative style required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a strategy to modernize New Mexico water management and build climate-resilient systems.
• Manage a multi-year grant portfolio from application through reporting.
• Build bipartisan coalitions with Tribal and diverse stakeholders.
• Coordinate with funders and present quarterly to the Board.
• Align with related initiatives and regulatory expectations.
• Advance a strong research and policy agenda with partners.
• Report regularly to the President to support executive communications.
• Ensure grants stay on schedule and travel in-state and nationally.
• Adapt to shifting priorities within the organization.

Skills

Grant management

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Lead a strategy to modernize New Mexico water management and build climate-resilient systems. Manage a multi-year grant portfolio, supporting grantees from application through reporting. Build bipartisan coalitions with Tribal and diverse stakeholders, coordinate with funders, present quarterly to the Board, and align with related initiatives.

Additional Areas of Responsibility:

Advance a strong research and policy agenda alongside partners, and develop long-term issue-advocacy strategies. Report regularly to the President to support communications with the executive committee. Ensure grants stay on schedule, uphold regulatory compliance and integrity, travel in-state and nationally, and adapt to shifting priorities.

Other Information/Requirements:

• Full-time role, reports to the President
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's or JD preferred
• Understanding of New Mexico politics strongly preferred
• Entrepreneurial, self-directed, and highly collegial style expected
• Benefits include health care, PTO, professional development funding, and 401(k) match
• Background check required
• Employees cannot hold elected office
• Hybrid, three office days weekly