Environmental Policy Director

Miami Waterkeeper is seeking an Environmental Policy Director in Coral Gables, FL, to lead efforts in litigation, legislation, and advocacy for South Florida's waterways. This role involves developing strategies, managing a policy team, and building relationships with stakeholders and government officials. The candidate should possess strong communication and project management skills, with a passion for environmental advocacy. The position offers a salary of $80K–$95K per year and is full-time.
The Environmental Policy Director serves as a visionary leader in achieving “water wins,” victories toward our organizational mission to protect South Florida’s waterways. This position will lead our efforts in litigation, legislation, rulemaking, and advocacy strategy, requiring the candidate to have the ability to achieve solutions by implementing multidisciplinary campaigns. The Environmental Policy Director will lead the initiatives of our Policy and Advocacy Team, representing the organization publicly, building relationships with stakeholders and government, and finding creative approaches to making positive change for our environment. The ideal candidate will have strong communication, strategic thinking, project management, and relationship-building skills, with a passion for environmental advocacy.

Advocacy Strategy and Campaigns
• Identify emerging policy issues, share insights with the team, and ensure alignment with strategic goals
• Work with the Chief Programs Officer and Waterkeeper to develop and implement advocacy strategies to address priority environmental issues in South Florida, and set team priorities, and annual campaign goals
• Litigation: Ensure Miami Waterkeeper’s policy and advocacy efforts align with and support the enforcement of key environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other relevant statutes.
• Regulatory Policy: Draft, review, comment, and refine policy documents, including regulator technical comment letters, action alerts, and position papers
• Government Affairs: Build and maintain relationships with government agencies and elected officials
• Represent Miami Waterkeeper at public events, meetings, and conferences to advance policy initiatives
• Build relationships and coordinate efforts with coalitions and stakeholders
• Work across Miami Waterkeeper’s team to coordinate internal efforts

Litigation, Legislation, and Rulemaking
• Oversee and guide Miami Waterkeeper’s involvement in legal actions, legislation, and rulemaking, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives
• Collaborate with outside counsel and team members to determine positions, develop strategies, and review work products such as legal briefs, draft legislation, and technical comment letters
• Monitor and engage with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on issues related to permitting, compliance, and enforcement
• Represent Miami Waterkeeper in advocacy efforts, including public comments, engagement with legislators and agencies, and relationship-building with government officials

Team Leadership and Management
• Project manage the policy team priorities
• Coordinate with other team leaders to work on common objectives across the organization
• Supervise at least two team members and relevant contractors
• Develop and manage the team’s annual budget
• Support the grants team on funding opportunities and reporting requirements
• Review and approve team deliverables, including talking points, action alerts, and other external communications