California Coastal Policy Coordinator – Surfrider Foundation – San Clemente, CA

The Surfrider Foundation, San Clemente, CA – California Coastal Policy Coordinator

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful grassroots activist network. The Surfrider Foundation has achieved many important victories by persuading state, federal, and local governments to protect vital coastal and ocean resources. These accomplishments demonstrate the important role of community members and recreational users in advancing coastal and ocean stewardship.

The Surfrider Foundation seeks to hire an individual to work on California coastal preservation issues, primarily focusing on protecting coastlines that have important ecological, recreational and economic value. The individual will assist the California Policy Manager in monitoring and responding to critical items before the California Coastal Commission.

Job Responsibilities:

Stay current on science, policy, and political developments relevant to Surfrider’s California coastal preservation work.
Work in collaboration with NGO partners, and state agencies, universities and other partners to advance Surfrider’s coastal preservation priorities.
Develop content for Surfrider’s communication platforms on coastal issues, including blogs, social media and other publications.

Attend Coastal Commission hearings to testify about coastal preservation issues.
Regularly update the “ActCoastal” website by posting monthly/ annual voting records of the California Coastal Commission.
Assist California Policy Manager in the development of comment letters.
Work with California Policy Manager and Surfrider chapters to engage local municipalities who are currently planning for climate change adaptation and sea level rise.
Assist California Policy Manager in the creation and dissemination of educational resources.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with the funding community and identify new opportunities to support Surfrider’s environmental work.

Reports to: California Policy Manager

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge of coastal policy at the state, and local levels.
Knowledge of coastal science, shoreline processes, and climate change issues.
Experience using website management tools. Proficiency of WordPress is required.
Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
Experience speaking publicly in front of a large number of people in diverse situations.
Experience in campaign planning, policy development, and coalition building.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively.
Willingness to work flexible hours for meetings and travel.

Desired Education and Experience:

Minimum 3 years of experience working in environmental science, policy and/or advocacy.
Bachelors degree in environmental management, ocean policy, and/or marine science.
Experience in coastal land use planning, shoreline permitting, sea level rise adaptation, and beach dredge and fill projects.
Familiarity with the California Coastal Act
Proven ability to effectively manage multiple, complex tasks and to establish and regularly evaluate priorities.
Professional experience communicating, both orally and in writing, with agency staff, elected officials, industry representatives, and stakeholders.
Experience communicating with news media in all forms.
Professional experience in campaign planning, policy development, grassroots organizing, and coalition building.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit by email a cover letter, resume and reference list to:

Stefanie Sekich-Quinn, California Policy Manager

Ssekich@surfrider.org

Please use subject line “Coastal Policy Coordinator” and title resume and cover letter documents using this convention: lastname_resume.doc & lastname_cover.doc

Deadline: May 30, 2015

The Surfrider Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

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