Senior Policy Strategist

Job Title: Senior Policy Strategist 

Chapter: Sierra Club California 

Location: Sacramento, CA (Hybrid)

Reports To: Director of Sierra Club California 

Context:  At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: This position will lead the development and implementation of campaigns and initiatives focused on water, conservation, and wildlife issues for Sierra Club in California at the legislature and state regulatory agencies. 

Under direction of the Director, the Senior Policy Strategist helps achieve and coordinate Sierra Club California’s approved conservation programmatic objectives. They participate in planning policy efforts, developing and maintaining government and political contacts, tracking regulations and legislation, making strategic recommendations to achieve conservation objectives, and engaging in outreach to diverse communities and allies, including through strategic media and digital communications.

• Coordinates Sierra Club California’s day-to-day lobbying/policy advocacy in the Legislature; facilitates weekly legislative meetings; ensures Sierra Club California presence at legislative hearings; aids in development of legislative strategy on Sierra Club California priority bills.
• Tracks, monitors, analyzes, and evaluates regulations, laws, initiatives and new developments on a range of environmental issues with an emphasis on water, conservation and wildlife issues. Evaluates proposed legislation and regulations at state agencies to determine possible effects to the environment and makes recommendations for strategic lobbying and legislative efforts. 
• Advocates the Sierra Club position on proposed legislation and regulations; informs and communicates with elected officials, business leaders, governmental agencies, and other non-profit organizations. Confers with legislators and officials to influence the passage of bills or measures favorable to Sierra Club’s interests. Confers with regulatory agencies to influence administrative rules and regulations and other actions that are non-legislative in nature. 
• Plans, develops and implements campaign strategies for assigned regulatory programs and legislative objectives and projects in accordance with the chapter policy. 
• Works with staff and volunteer leaders to recruit, coordinate, and facilitate grassroots involvement in regulatory and legislative campaigns. 
• Makes presentations to community, political, and governmental bodies regarding state environmental legislation and regulation. 
• Contributes to press releases, newsletters, flyers, social media, etc. to keep Sierra Club membership and the general public informed. 
• Conducts research needed to achieve objectives of legislative and regulatory campaigns. 
• Works closely with the Chapter Director, Communications Manager, and other staff to ensure that the message of Sierra Club is accurately and favorably represented to the media, including in Spanish-language press. 
• Engages in outreach to diverse allies and communities to help develop a stronger base of support for Sierra Club California positions. Leads key coalitions on behalf of Sierra Club California and in furtherance of Sierra Club’s goals. Ensures alignment on issue areas across Sierra Club California, local chapters, and national staff. 
• As needed, participates in donor and foundation solicitation and cultivation, including meeting with funders and preparation of funder presentation, proposals, and reports. 
• Stays abreast of latest news, particularly in issue areas of responsibility. 
• Recruits and works with interns as needed. 
• Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned.

• Experience analyzing and advocating for environmental, and environmental justice policies, especially those related to water, conservation and wildlife. 
• Highly developed communication skills, with a focus on communicating effectively across different groups of stakeholders. 
• Ability to manage multiple important priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining a high level of effectiveness. 
• Knowledge of California political and environmental landscape. 
• Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers, regulatory agencies, and public officials. 
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go. 

• Demonstrated issue area expertise in water, conservation and wildlife issues 
• Experience supervising or coordinating work of others. 
• Demonstrated and progressive experience leading in lobbying, building campaign plans, building coalitions, organizing grassroots campaigns, and public speaking.

To Apply 

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.