Environment America Federal Legislative Director

Washington, DC

Environment America is a policy and action group that tackles the most profound problem of our time: a way of living that is depleting and destabilizing the natural world. Our federal legislative director will lead our work in Washington, DC to advocate for new laws in Congress and defend federal environmental protections.

You’ll work together with leaders at Environment America, our 30 state offices and The Public Interest Network with decades of experience getting real results for our environment.

Key responsibilities

Environment America’s Federal Legislative Director will spearhead our work to advance our policy goals in Washington, DC. This position requires excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Key responsibilities may include but are not limited to: 

• Strategy: Develop and advance our federal policy agenda, including our work to protect wildlife and wild places, expand clean, renewable energy and defend environmental protections, such as the Clean Water Act.
• Advocacy: Lobby Congress and the federal government on our policy priorities. Advocate for our positions and persuade decision makers to act, while developing collaborative relationships with legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle.
• Coalition Building: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals. Run weekly or monthly coalition meetings with groups that have committed to work together on our campaigns.
• Media and Visibility: Get coverage for our campaigns and vision in the media and other channels in order to educate and motivate our supporters and decision-makers. Write press releases, op-eds, and letters to the editor; meet with reporters and hold press events; maintain an active social media presence for our campaigns. 
• Fundraising: Earn support for your program from foundations and individual donors.
• Build the team: Recruit, hire and manage more junior advocates and interns to make more progress on our campaigns.

Qualifications

You are:

• Passionate about the environment and using the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns.
• A campaign advocate, grassroots organizer, lobbyist or legislative staffer or with at least 5 years of experience. Advanced degrees may count toward experience.
• An effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills. Experience getting traditional and digital media coverage in previous work is a plus.
• Creative and effective at solving complex problems; a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities.
• A team leader with a track record of recruiting people and improving performance, or the skills to do so; willing and interested in working with people who think differently than you.
• Well-organized and able to make plans for long-term success, across multiple priorities.
• A hard worker, willing to spend hours calling activists or monitoring middle-of-the-night Senate votes to win your campaigns. 

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual compensation for someone with 5-12 years of relevant experience  is $38,000-$54,000. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. Environment America offers an excellent benefits package.Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, paid time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement. 

Location: Washington, DC

Why work with Environment America? Check out 10 reasons on our website.

About Environment America 

Environment America is a policy and action group working to tackle the most profound problem of our time: a way of living that is depleting and destabilizing the natural world. 

We’re advocates for energy conservation and renewable power, so we can keep oil in the ground and stop burning fossil fuels. We’re champions of plastic reduction, so nothing we use for a few minutes is allowed to pollute our oceans for centuries. And we’re defenders of wildlife and wild places, both for their own sake as well as the awe and wonder they bring to our lives.

Environment America and our national network of 30 state environmental groups work to improve our quality of life by reducing the pollution and other harms of how we produce, consume and dispose of more and more stuff. And we do it one step at a time, by winning results for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife, open spaces, and a livable climate that make a tangible difference in people's lives and our environment. 

If you want to work hard, challenge yourself, and make a real impact on the critical environmental issues of our time, consider a career with Environment America.

Our Mission and Values

Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit our website for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Environment America is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boosted. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.