Senior Policy Advocate for Forests, Waters, & Wildlife

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is seeking a Senior Policy Advocate for Forests, Waters, & Wildlife in Augusta, ME. This role involves leading advocacy efforts to protect Maine's natural resources, including rivers, habitats, and wildlife. Responsibilities include analyzing policies and legislation, conducting research, delivering testimony, and representing NRCM before various agencies. The advocate will collaborate with coalition partners and develop strategic relationships to promote conservation goals while supporting the organization's overall mission.
About the position

The Senior Policy Advocate for Forests, Waters, & Wildlife plays a critical role in leading the Natural Resources Council of Maine's (NRCM) efforts to protect the health of Maine's rivers and waterways, as well as the natural character of the ecologically, economically, and recreationally important woods and wildlife of the state. This position involves advocacy before the Legislature and administrative bodies, effective communication with the media and public, and collaboration with coalition partners. The Senior Policy Advocate will develop and utilize scientific and technical expertise on various topics, including fisheries restoration, habitat protection, water quality regulation, climate change impacts, and biodiversity. Working closely with the Forests, Waters, & Wildlife (FW&W) team and other staff across the organization, the advocate will promote the strategic goals of NRCM. In this role, the Senior Policy Advocate will analyze policies, legislation, permits, and administrative decisions that may impact Maine's natural resources. This includes matters such as fish passage, river restoration, habitat conservation, land conservation, and water quality protection. The advocate will conduct policy research and analysis to support key advocacy campaigns, developing memos, testimony, and other written materials. They will deliver written and oral testimony to legislative committees and other decision-making bodies as needed to support the FW&W Program. Additionally, the advocate will represent NRCM through written filings and in-person appearances before various agencies, including Maine's Land Use Planning Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection. The Senior Policy Advocate will also participate in diverse coalitions and working groups on strategic issues, particularly where technical analysis, policy research, and policy development are required. Building an expanding network of strategic relationships with key stakeholders, business and community leaders, and other organizations will be essential to advancing policies related to the conservation of Maine's natural resources, waters, and wildlife. The advocate will deliver presentations and speak at events as needed to support the FW&W Program, and will work with the FW&W Director to develop annual work plans and budgets. Furthermore, they will provide general policy analysis and research as needed to other projects, departments, or the organization as a whole, at the direction of the Senior Director of Advocacy.

Responsibilities
• Help analyze policies, legislation, permits, and administrative decisions that may impact Maine's natural resources, including on matters such as fish passage, river restoration, habitat conservation, land conservation, and water quality protection.
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• Conduct policy research and analysis to support key advocacy campaigns, including development of memos, testimony, and other written materials.
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• Deliver written and oral testimony to legislative committees and other decision-making bodies as needed to support the Forests, Waters, & Wildlife Program.
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• Represent NRCM through written filings and/or in-person appearances before agencies that may include Maine's Land Use Planning Commission; Board of Environmental Protection; Department of Environmental Protection; Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; and other venues related to the conservation of Maine's forests; rivers, lakes, and streams; and fisheries and wildlife.
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• Participate in diverse coalitions and working groups on strategic issues, particularly where technical analysis, policy research, and policy development are required.
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• Help build an expanding network of strategic relationships with key stakeholders, business and community leaders, and other organizations and individuals who may help policies related to conservation of Maine's natural resources, waters, and wildlife.
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• Deliver presentations and speak at events on issues as needed to support the Forests, Waters, & Wildlife Program.
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• Work with the FW&W Director to develop annual work plans and budgets.
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• Provide general policy analysis and research as needed to other projects, departments or the organization as a whole, at the direction of the Senior Director of Advocacy.

Requirements
• Master's degree in a relevant subject area (e.g., wildlife conservation, aquatic ecosystems, natural resource management) or a law degree.
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• At least three years of work experience with natural resource policy, regulation, or environmental science.
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• Strong communication skills including persuasive writing and public speaking.
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• Ability to work with diverse groups including other nonprofits, technical experts, and policy makers.
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• Ability to learn and analyze policy issues quickly and communicate complex issues in simple and persuasive terms to the public, lawmakers, and other interested parties.
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• Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
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• Commitment to Maine's environment.

Nice-to-haves

Benefits
• Full-time, salaried position with a salary range of $70,000-85,000.
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• Membership in the bargaining unit.