Staff Attorney and Campaign Manager (Pure Farms, Pure Waters Campaign)

Job Title: Staff Attorney and Campaign Manager (Pure Farms, Pure Waters Campaign) 

Location: New York City (preferred) or North Carolina

Organizational overview: Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement uniting more than 350 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates around the world, focusing citizen action on issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeepers patrol and protect more than 2.8 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastlines in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Europe. For more information please visit: www.waterkeeper.org.

Position Summary: For more than two decades, Waterkeeper Alliance has actively developed and implemented advocacy efforts at the state and federal level to combat adverse environmental impacts caused by the proliferation of industrial animal feeding operations (AFOs). Our efforts in this regard have included enforcement actions against AFOs, environmental justice legal/advocacy initiatives, and administrative and legal challenges to state and federal rules and permits.

The Staff Attorney and Campaign Manager is a member of the organization’s Advocacy department and will be primarily responsible for (1) managing the Waterkeeper Alliance Pure Farms Pure Waters (PFPW) campaign and involved Waterkeeper groups on legal actions, investigations, and other advocacy efforts; and  (2) collaborating with Waterkeeper Alliance’s other departments to design and implement hard-hitting and effective campaign plans, including advocacy, communications, and development strategies. This position reports to the General Counsel & Advocacy Director.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Managing and supporting PFPW campaign staff, Waterkeeper groups and outside counsel on litigation and policy work;

   

  Assisting Waterkeeper groups and with case development; 

   

  Appearing before state and federal administrative bodies and courts on behalf of Waterkeeper Alliance;

   

  Developing and coordinating partnerships with local, state and national organizations working on industrial agriculture and related issues;

   

  Coordinating Waterkeeper organizations and partners on comments at the state and federal level;

   

  Developing, delivering, or connecting Waterkeeper organizations to training opportunities on important agriculture legal and policy issues;

   

  In conjunction with Waterkeeper Alliance’s communications department, developing, implementing and evaluating a communications strategy, including but not limited to video, traditional and social media;

   

  Producing and distributing public education and outreach materials on industrial agriculture issues;

   

  Strategic campaign planning to ensure that the campaign’s work will be relevant and high-impact; 

   

  Supporting the organization’s industrial agriculture fundraising goals;

   

  Coordinating and collaborating with the organization’s national and regional organizing staff;

   

  Exporting lessons learned to Waterkeeper organizations across the globe facing threats from industrial agriculture; and

   

  Executing additional projects, as assigned.

   

Minimum Qualifications: The position requires a broad skill set and the successful candidate must be driven by a strong desire for justice. The Staff Attorney & PFPW Campaign Manager must have: 

• A firm belief that everyone has a right to clean water for drinking, fishing, and swimming;

   

  A law degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admission in good standing to the bar where the position will be based; 

   

  Five or more years of relevant experience (preferably working directly on industrial animal agriculture issues), including a sound understanding of grassroots advocacy, environmental and administrative law, governmental policymaking, advocacy, and communications;

   

  Demonstrated familiarity with and commitment to working with, and being guided by, impacted communities and incorporating principles of equity, inclusion, and justice into campaign processes, objectives, and outcomes;

   

  Significant experience in the planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns and strategic initiatives. Experience should include at least some of the following activities: planning, strategy development and implementation, project management, organizing, lobbying, policy drafting or review, media relations, and working with community, political, and business leaders;

   

  Strong familiarity with the Clean Water Act and other relevant laws;

   

  Knowledge, experience and background with water quality issues;

   

  A demonstrated ability to interact effectively with lawmakers, other elected officials, and agency staff;

   

  Ability to collaborate with Waterkeeper Alliance’s development and communications staff to support fundraising efforts; 

   

  Familiarity with, or the ability to readily adapt to, the Waterkeeper culture and model;

   

  Excellent written and oral presentation skills;

   

  The ability to work well independently; and

   

  A charismatic and likeable personality and a good sense of humor.

   

Culture & Benefits: Our staff and Waterkeepers are the heart of our mission, and we are committed to pursuing the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) as we move forward to a more equal and empowering future as an organization. We aim to create and sustain a workforce that reflects the hundreds of global communities we strive to protect in our fight for clean water, and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply to join our team!

We offer a competitive industry salary, excellent benefits including 15 vacation days and paid parental leave, work from home opportunities, and a healthy work-life balance to all members of our team.

Start Date: ASAP. This position will remain open until filled.

Applications: Send resume, one original writing sample, and a cover letter to careers@waterkeeper.org with subject line “2021 PFPW Campaign Manager.”  Please note that applications must be emailed to careers@waterkeeper.org to be considered for this position. No phone calls, please.

Waterkeeper Alliance is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Waterkeeper is a registered trademark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc.