Manager, Water Policy

Position Summary:

The Water Policy Manager is responsible for advancing Audubon 's water policy priorities in South Carolina through legislative advocacy, coalition leadership, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, strategic communications, and implementation support. This position will help ensure that science-based conservation priorities are incorporated into water policy, resilience planning, growth management, and funding decisions across the state.

Reporting to the Policy Director, the Water Policy Manager will serve as a key member of SC’s policy team and work closely with state agencies, legislators, local governments, utilities, agricultural interests, conservation organizations, resilience practitioners, academic institutions, landowners, and other stakeholders to advance durable water policy solutions.

The Water Policy Manager will help identify and advance opportunities related to water quantity, water quality, source water protection, wetlands, watershed management, drought resilience, land conservation, and sustainable growth. The position will support implementation of state planning efforts, including recommendations emerging from South Carolina's State Water Plan and related resilience initiatives, while helping build long-term capacity for water policy leadership across the state.

This position is classified as hybrid, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Candidates should be located within commuting distance of Audubon's offices and centers in Columbia, SC, Charleston, SC, Audubon Silver Bluff Sanctuary in Jackson, SC or Audubon Center and Sanctuary at Beidler Forest in Harleyville, SC. This position will work at the SC State House regularly and candidates within commuting distance of the Columbia office are preferred.

Compensation:

$75,526 - $84,967 / year

Essential Functions

• Build, manage, and maintain a diverse set of positive working relationships across South Carolina, collaborating and coordinating with elected officials, agency staff, local governments, utilities, landowners, partner organizations, businesses, consultants, and other stakeholders to advance shared conservation and water policy priorities.

• In collaboration with the Policy Director, develop and implement policy strategies that advance SC’s conservation priorities, Flight Plan goals, and water policy objectives. This work should translate into opportunities to advance durable policy, funding, and conservation outcomes across the state.

• Monitor, analyze, and engage on legislative, administrative, regulatory, and funding opportunities related to water resources, resilience, source water protection, wetlands, watershed management, land conservation, and sustainable growth.

• Lead work with Audubon staff, coalition partners, and stakeholders to identify and advance opportunities to implement recommendations from the South Carolina State Water Plan, resilience initiatives, and other planning efforts.

• Coordinate and participate in statewide coalitions, working groups, and partnerships focused on water resources, resilience, land conservation, growth management, and environmental policy.

• Develop policy briefs, reports, presentations, testimony, comments, and other materials to support advocacy efforts, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making.

• Work collaboratively with communications staff, chapter leaders, and partners to develop outreach and engagement strategies that build support for priority policy initiatives and strengthen grassroots advocacy efforts.

• Serve as a public representative of Audubon, which may include presentations, public speaking, meeting participation, legislative engagement, and other interactions with agencies, elected officials, NGOs, Audubon chapters, businesses, coalitions, and stakeholders.

• Track, evaluate, and report progress toward policy, coalition, and organizational goals, while supporting efforts to secure funding, partnerships, and organizational capacity needed to advance strategic priorities.

• Collaborate with Audubon staff across policy, conservation, and government affairs teams to advance shared objectives, promote best practices, maintain a culture of safety, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required in public policy, environmental science, natural resources, planning, political science, public administration, law, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• At least five years of professional experience in public policy, government affairs, legislative advocacy, water resources, conservation, natural resource management, or a related field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of water policy issues, including water quantity, water quality, source water protection, watershed management, resilience, drought planning, land conservation, growth management, or related natural resource policy issues.

• Experience developing and advancing legislative, regulatory, administrative, or funding strategies and working effectively within policymaking processes.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, landowners, community leaders, and coalition partners.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, facilitation, presentation development, and the ability to communicate complex policy and technical information to a variety of audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while working both independently and collaboratively.

• Experience developing policy briefs, testimony, reports, comments, presentations, grant materials, or other written advocacy products.

• Proficiency with standard office productivity software and technology.

• Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative session.

• Willingness to travel throughout South Carolina and occasionally beyond the state as required.

• Commitment to Audubon's organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

This position will require tracking of lobbying time and ongoing compliance with all applicable federal, state, and organizational lobbying and ethics requirements. The position will require registration as a lobbyist. The selected candidate must be willing and able to complete any required registrations and adhere to all related reporting and conduct standards.

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment. 

Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving. 

Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation. 

Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process. 

Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity.