Senior Legislative Advocate

California Environmental Voters

$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years experience in legislative affairs, with 3 years in the California State Legislature.
  • Proven ability to lead legislative campaigns and build coalitions.
  • Deep knowledge of the California legislative process and environmental policy.
  • Strong teamwork skills in high-pressure political environments.
  • Ability to navigate political dynamics and manage stakeholder concerns with diplomacy.
  • Exceptional networking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to present complex policy issues clearly for various audiences.
  • Commitment to racial, social, and economic justice.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the main registered lobbyist for the organization.
  • Develop and implement legislative strategies aligned with climate justice priorities.
  • Oversee lobbying efforts and identify proactive legislative opportunities.
  • Build and maintain relationships with legislators and committee staff.
  • Conduct in-district outreach and relationship-building activities.
  • Provide timely updates and briefings on legislative priorities to staff and stakeholders.
  • Manage organization events such as lobby days and rallies.

Benefits

  • 4-Day Work Week with flexible remote/in-office schedule.
  • 12 PTO days plus 12 holidays and an additional paid week off at year's end.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
  • Flexible spending account (FSA) for healthcare expenses.
  • Commuter program support.
  • Optional life insurance.
Full Job Description
Employment Type: Full Time/Exempt

Wage: A competitive $80,000-$95,000 annual salary

Department: Political

Reports To: Policy Advocacy Director

Position Location: Sacramento

Work Schedule: Four Day Work Week: Two (2) days in office, two (2) days remote. However, there may be certain circumstances, like pressing deadlines or peak business periods, where it becomes necessary for the organization to temporarily switch to a five-day work week.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Serve as the organization's main registered lobbyist.
  • Lead the development and execution of high-level legislative strategies to advance the organization's climate justice and democracy priorities in the California State Legislature.
  • Lead legislative strategy for key legislative priorities, in close collaboration with the Policy Advocacy Director, including overseeing lobbying efforts for sponsored bills and identifying opportunities for leadership on proactive legislation that addresses the climate crisis., including: 1) Working in partnership with the Legislative team to carry out tactics and strategy to pass priority bills. 2) Identifying key targets in the legislature. 3) Working with other staff at EnviroVoters on drafting communications messaging for effective organizing around legislative priorities. 4) Make strategic recommendations on bill sponsorship, coalition alignment, and policy messaging, based on deep analysis of the legislative and political landscape. 5) Represent the organization in high-level meetings with elected officials, committee chairs, administration staff, and partner organizations, funders, and press serving as a trusted source of political intelligence and strategy. 6) Represent the organization in high-stakes coalition negotiations, press briefings, and external-facing events.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key legislators, committee staff, and leadership in the Capitol, to advance EnviroVoters top priorities and strengthen our long-term influence. Shape and lead the organization's strategy within priority coalitions, including aligning allies, building consensus, and navigating conflict to achieve shared legislative wins.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of California's political environmental landscape and an understanding of the landscape within specific legislative districts.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of an array of key environmental and environmental justice and good government policies and identify opportunities for the organization to act or lead on such issues.
  • Identify areas for and create innovation around advocacy, engagement, and coalition-building.
  • Support in-district education, outreach and relationship-building activities in collaboration with EnviroVoters, EnviroVoters Ed Fund staff and partners.
  • Identify weaknesses in our legislative program and work to develop strategies and tactics to compensate for and overcome potential challenges and obstacles.
  • Collaborate with other EnviroVoters and EnviroVoters Ed Fund staff on communications and fundraising for program work.
  • Regularly update staff on relevant, critical, and timely information pertinent to passing legislative priorities.
  • Provide high-level briefings, written updates, and proposals to internal leadership, board members, and major donors on legislative developments and strategy.
  • Serve as spokesperson for the organization.
  • Manage and update the EnviroVoters priority legislation list.
  • Serve as project manager for organizational events including lobby days, pressers, and rallies.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned.

MUST HAVES

To be successful in this job, you must possess the following qualities and experience:
  • Minimum 5-7 years' experience working in legislative affairs, with at least 3 years working directly with the California State Legislature.
  • Proven track record of leading successful legislative campaigns, building coalitions, and navigating complex political dynamics in Sacramento.
  • Demonstrated expertise in the California legislative process, political landscape, and environmental policy.
  • Thrives on teamwork in a fast-paced, high-stakes political environment, balancing strategic planning with real-time responsiveness while remaining professional, focused, and solutions-oriented in the face of political conflict, setbacks, and opposition from powerful interests.
  • Ability to navigate complex political dynamics, maintain strong relationships, and manage sensitive stakeholder concerns with diplomacy and tact.
  • Exceptional relationship cultivation, communication, networking, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to distill complex policy issues into clear, compelling messaging tailored to different audiences.
  • Highly organized with strong attention to detail and can keep track of multiple priorities while maintaining effective communication with a team.
  • Strong commitment to racial, social, economic justice and equity
  • Strong commitment to solving the climate crisis

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in this highly respected organization. California Environmental Voters offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including a 4-Day Work Week policy, 12 PTO days; 12 Federal and State holidays, plus a paid week off at the end of the year, medical, dental, vision, and disability coverage; a 401(k)-retirement program with employer match; flexible spending account (FSA) for health care expenses; commuter program; and optional life insurance.

Don't meet every single requirement? At EnviroVoters, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workspace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this role or other roles.

EnviroVoters and EnviroVoters Ed Fund has a deep commitment to equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. EnviroVoters invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our organization.

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