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Jun 3 / BARD CEP

Policy Advocate – Highlands, NJ

Organization: American Littoral Society

Position Title: Policy Advocate

Location: Highlands, NJ

Hours & Compensation: Full-time. Salary commensurate with experience.

Position Dates: One-year, grant-funded position with the possibility of extension beyond one year if funds are available.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2013.

Posted On: May 29, 2013.

Organization Overview:

Since our founding in 1961, the American Littoral Society’s mission has been to empower people to care for the coast. We achieve this by focusing on three, overlapping classes of activity: Advocating, conserving, and learning. We measure our success by the degree to which we engage citizens, communities, and governments in each.

When we advocate, we do not only educate decision makers about the impact of their decisions on the health of coastal habitat and life, we also give the public at large the tools they need to advocate on behalf of the coast. When we execute a restoration project, our objective is not solely to replant dune grass or reseed an oyster bed—it is to motivate ordinary citizens to replant dune grass and rebuild an oyster bed. In this way, individuals invest “sweat equity” into the coast, take ownership and become much better stewards. By the same token, when we educate, we don’t merely provide books, CDs, or handouts. We lead our students, young and old alike, onto the shore and into the water to get their feet wet and their hands muddy. Sitting in a classroom in front of a computer, people can become interested in the coast; standing knee deep in sea foam with sand between their toes, people can develop a passion for the coast. (Note: “Littoral” means near or relating to the shore or coast)

Description:

The American Littoral Society is seeking a New Jersey Policy Advocate. This position is located in our Trenton office and focuses on New Jersey regulatory, planning, policy and legislative issues and reports directly to the Society’s executive director. It is an excellent opportunity to learn from the experts about how to effect positive change in coastal policy and will have a special focus on how to achieve resilience and sustainability in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct research in support of policy and position development for the Society
  • Develop and conduct campaigns in support of Society positions
  • Attend legislative meetings, public hearings, information sessions and town meetings to testify/speak in support of the Society’s position
  • Communicate with the press and public on issues
  • Develop and maintain relationships with other environmental organizations and government agencies, forms coalitions to advance our position
  • Track and review legislative proposals and testifies for or against legislation that has the potential to impact coastal resources
  • Create fact sheets and summary documents regarding issues that the Society is involved in for distribution and posting on our website
  • Review the DEP Bulletin, published twice a month, to track proposed and pending development projects in the coastal zone
  • Review the New Jersey Register, published twice a month, to track proposed rule changes, rule adoptions and public notices issued by state administrative agencies
  • Write and submit formal comments to state agencies expressing the Society’s position regarding proposed rule changes; circulates such comments to other environmental agencies for input, sign-on for use in formulating their own comments
  • Participate in various state and county processes to advance the Society’s position and to attempt to ensure that the resultant plans incorporate coastal resource protections

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and/or planning (master’s degree a plus)
  • 2 to 3 years experience in environmental policy, planning or coastal zone management (community planning or environmental campaign management a plus)
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills
  • Writing and policy analysis skills
  • Ability to research and fact-check issues, policies, rules, and laws quickly and with great accuracy
  • Some prior knowledge of New Jersey coastal policy, issues, politics, and players
  • A high comfort level speaking before legislators, the environmental community, and the general public.
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work effectively in action-oriented office
  • Ability to work independently, cooperatively, and effectively with public, staff and volunteers
  • Able to travel as needed, including attending evening hearings and events
  • Proficient computer skills, knowledge and experience with word processing, social networking, and communications software

How to Apply: 

Please send email with cover letter, resume, and 1-to-2 page relevant writing sample to [email protected] by June 30. All files must be in MS Word or PDF format and follow the following naming convention: YourLastName_resume.docx, YourLastName_sample.docx, YourLastName_letter.docx or YourLastName_resume.pdf, YourLastName_sample.pdf, YourLastName_letter.pdf.

Contact Information:

American Littoral Society, http://www.littoralsociety.org

18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 1, Highlands, NJ 07732

Job URL: http://littoralsociety.org/index.php/jobs

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