Local Government Affairs Senior Manager

Position Summary

Do you like shaping effective strategies and solving problems? Are you motivated to advance environmental progress in local communities? The Local Government Affairs Senior Manager is part of the lobbying team at Washington Conservation Action (WCA) and works collaboratively with policy experts, partners, field, and political teams to pass impactful policies that improve the lives of people and the health of the environment.  

WCA is looking for a Local Government Affairs Senior Manager with at least two years of experience in lobbying, political campaigns, and/or issue-focused campaigns. The position reports to the Government Affairs Director. The Local Government Affairs Senior Manager works closely with the organization’s Puget Sound, Climate, Forestry, Tribal Nations, and Political programs to shape and advance complex and intersectional strategies for environmental progress.

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office at the local and state levels and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.

In January 2023, Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental Council unified under a shared brand—Washington Conservation Action. This evolution as organizations builds on our 50 years of work and history of bringing people together to solve Washington’s most critical environmental issues. We develop, advocate, and defend policies that ensure environmental progress and justice by centering and amplifying the voices of the most impacted communities. Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) partner organization. Together, we advance a shared a vision for a Washington state where nature and people live in balance for the flourishing of all.

Most of our team of 50 work in a flexible hybrid model with staff in the office typically two days a week (or 40% of the time over the course of a month on average) for collaboration and celebration. The remainder of our staff are considered fully remote, since they live outside the greater Puget Sound area but within Washington. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support work from home, whether hybrid or remote. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference. We are committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes Warm Springs, Oregon.

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for shaping and implementing lobbying and advocacy campaigns, fostering strong relationships with elected leaders and community partners, and galvanizing support for environmental progress at the local level. The work of the Local Government Affairs Senior Manager will prioritize efforts that are scalable and/or compliment state level priorities. Infused in the work is a focus on community needs and solutions, which requires centering of racial equity principles. The work will focus on local government advocacy though it may also include support for state level lobbying, federal advocacy, and/or litigation strategies as needed to meet the goals of the specific campaign.

Specific responsibilities include:

Local Governmental Affairs

• Work across teams (Climate and Clean Energy, Forestry, Puget Sound, Political, Field, etc.) to collaboratively identify and advance local government advocacy priorities centered on the needs of local communities.
• Develop and implement strategies involving legislative action, lobbying, relationship building, political, accountability, and other strategies to advance program priorities and support organizational work in key geographic areas.
• Assist in lobbying during the state legislative session, as needed, and on issues that have a strong connection to local government advocacy goals.
• Analyze complex policy, legal, and political information to develop effective strategies and actions to advance positive change.
• Cultivate strong partnerships and communications with elected officials and staff at the local level.
• Navigate different ideas, personalities, and opinions effectively while keeping partners and diverse perspectives aligned on a common goal. 
• Nurture and expand authentic relationships and partnerships that center racial equity and uphold Tribal sovereignty.
• Advise and partner on electoral and political priorities including endorsements, prioritization, candidate education, and other tactics.
• Collaborate with the WCA Tribal Nations Program and demonstrate cultural competency that is respectful of Native communities.

Organizational

• Actively commit to the organization’s racial equity plan and Strategic framework and ensure that racial equity goals are integrated into all duties and responsibilities.
• Work with WCA’s Development team to support fundraising efforts (support events, review grants, etc.), as needed.
• Help foster a positive and inclusive work environment and actively participate in professional development opportunities, trainings, and skill-building.

Required Skills

• Strong organizational skills that reflect an ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks at once and with attention to detail.
• 2 years of experience in development and management of complicated campaigns, programs, or projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and social intelligence and a demonstrated ability to work well in a team-based environment.
• Adept at navigating conflict.
• Reliable analytical skills to decipher policy or technical information and translate that information to a broader audience.
• Confident decisionmaker and creative thinker that can shape a new area of work.
• Flexible and adaptive to successfully navigate different personalities, situations, and priorities while moving important work forward.
• A forward thinker who anticipates issues and proposes solutions.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working in public policy, law, or related field.
• Experience managing election or policy campaigns.
• Experience with environmental issues such as climate change, water quality, clean energy, or natural resource management.
• Proficiency in technology tools such as Microsoft Office, Slack, Asana, and Salesforce.

Location Information

This position is hybrid (minimum of 40% in the Seattle office) but we will consider an option for being fully remote for those located within Washington State, but outside of mass transit options to our Seattle office. We anticipate this job will involve occasional travel to in-person meetings and staff gatherings at the discretion of the supervisor. Employees are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This is a full-time position and is expected to work a standard work week of 40 hours. This job requires frequent sitting. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position. Washington Conservation Action and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is a unionized employer represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.

COVID-19

The organization follows all requirements of local health authorities. We work in a hybrid remote work model with staff working from home in addition to in-office time for collaboration and celebration. We maintain strict safety protocols while in our office. All staff who come to the office must be immunized against COVID-19.