Policy Director – Job Description

The Policy Director is a versatile full-time position responsible for leading WV Rivers Coalition’s state and federal advocacy efforts to work towards clean water for all West Virginians and those living downstream. The ideal candidate will be able to develop, advance, and implement WV Rivers’ policy priorities, manage relationships with elected officials and regulatory agencies, as well as build effective engagement with staff and clean water advocates. Candidates must be highly organized yet adaptable, able to work remotely, and enthusiastic about joining a medium-sized statewide advocacy organization in a pivotal period of growth. This is a remote working position focused on projects throughout the state of West Virginia. The ideal candidate is based within commuting distance of Charleston, WV. 

Reports to: Deputy Director 

Responsibilities: 

• Foster government relations and legislative and administrative advocacy  

• Identify and cultivate key relationships with elected and appointed officials and staff; serve as the organization’s primary liaison with elected and administrative officials at the local, state, and federal levels  

• Represent WV Rivers in Charleston during the legislative session and travel to Washington DC as needed 

• Monitor, evaluate, research, and respond to local, state, and federal policy developments and issues, including legislative and regulatory proposals 

• Develop and execute a policy and advocacy strategy to advance an agenda aimed at improving water quality in rivers and streams and safe drinking water for all West Virginians  

• Advance government relations at the state and federal level with the goal of creating an environment conducive to advancing WV Rivers’ mission to advocate for clean and healthy water for all 

• Build and maintain healthy relationships with strategic partners  

• Build policy and advocacy knowledge and skills among WV Rivers staff, Board and supporters and keep these groups informed on public policy outcomes, opportunities, and challenges 

• Work with WV Rivers staff and partner organizations to develop our policy and advocacy platform and annual policy priorities  

• Create content to help WV Rivers, partner organizations, members, supporters, funders, staff, and Board understand WV Rivers policy goals and outcomes, including policy updates for newsletters  

• Work with the Executive team to facilitate collaboration across the organization 

• Create and monitor policy and advocacy program budgets. Manage and draft reports for advocacy-related grants, as needed. 

• Coordinate with staff and partners to provide resources and guidance to local communities to successfully develop and implement policies to promote stewardship of water resources 

 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy or related field and 5 or more years of work experience  

• Knowledge of the water policy landscape in West Virginia 

• Experience and ease in communicating with high-level policy makers, including those in the legislative and executive branches, experience lobbying on the ground in Charleston and DC preferred  

• Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy proposals, including the drafting of legislation and regulatory language   

• Experience working within coalitions and collaborating with diverse stakeholders  

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing and in oral presentations to a range of audiences  

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills  

• Ability to conduct business travel throughout the state, particularly in Charleston during the state legislative session and Washington, DC as needed 

• Ability to work remotely, including comfort with technologies that support remote work (such as online activity tracking tools, conference calling, and video conferencing) 

• West Virginia residency and valid driver’s license and ability to travel outside of regular business hours as needed 

Salary for the position ranges from $65,000 – $75,000 per year with benefits, based on experience and qualifications. 

How to Apply 

Please submit your cover letter and resume to resumes@wvrivers.org with your name and “Policy Director” in the subject line. Position is open until filled.  

WV Rivers aspires to be an inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious and political beliefs.  Diversity at WV Rivers translates into understanding and valuing all perspectives in order to fully accomplish our mission and vision for clean water for all. Candidates must share a commitment to fostering values of diversity, inclusion, equity and justice in all aspects of our programming and advocacy.