Biodiversity Project and the Mississippi River Network: Headwaters to Gulf (MRN) are seeking applicants for a 1-year contract (with the opportunity to renew for a second year) to work on the coalition’s policy agenda. The MRN is a collaborative effort of 38 organizations who have joined together to protect and restore the Mississippi River. The MRN has several initiatives: 1) a public communications campaign 2) improved and amended policies that restore and protect the River and 3) promoting communication and collaboration among the MRN partner organizations. The MRN is managed by Biodiversity Project, an environmental, non-profit communications organization located in Chicago. Biodiversity Project would enter into a contract with the successful candidate to focus on advancement of the MRN policy agenda.
The Policy Manager will provide key analysis and proactive policy development in issues relating to the restoration and conservation of the Mississippi River, analyze proposed legislative or administrative changes to Federal policy and law related to the River, educate members of MRN, the public, and the media on such policies and proposals, and cultivate support for those policies and proposals among policymakers and other stakeholder organizations. The Policy Manager will accomplish this by, among other means, coordinating policy work among the MRN members, educating MRN members, the public and decision makers, planning and attending briefings and meetings locally along the Mississippi River and in Washington, DC, when appropriate, working with the 1 Mississippi Campaign Manager on engaging interested members of the public (River Citizens) and assisting the Mississippi River Program Manager with managing MRN. With guidance and direction from the MRN Policy Committee, the Policy Manager determines what policy information and advocacy opportunities are relevant and appropriate for Network Members and the public.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a solid understanding of environmental policy and have experience working with coalitions and in grassroots organizing. We are searching for someone with at least two years professional work experience in the environmental policy arena, and demonstrated organizational, communications, research, and writing skills. The ability to work well with diverse interest groups and within a team is a must. An understanding of and experience with Capitol Hill and the federal policy process is highly desirable. She or he will be supervised by Biodiversity Project’s Executive Director Jennifer Browning on a day-to-day basis.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Create a detailed two-year strategy and workplan to meet the MRN’s policy goals.
- Work in an inclusive manner with standing MRN committees (most directly the Policy Committee, but also Steering and Public Communications Committees) and members to meet policy goals
- Communicate with MRN members on Mississippi River related issues, including legislative updates and other pertinent activities or media coverage via newsletters, webinars, print materials, etc.
- Travel throughout the ten-state MR region and Washington, DC, to meet with partners and other stakeholders
- Represent the MRN in relevant policy meetings and workgroups such as the Mississippi River Collaborative and the Great Waters Initiative
- Identify and recruit new MRN members and partners
- Identify advocacy opportunities to educate River Citizens and MRN members about MRN policy goals and related issues
- Work with other MRN staff to support the integration of the policy work with the on-going public campaign and inform and communicate effectively with MRN members
Location
The location of MRN policy manager is flexible and may be in Chicago at the Biodiversity Project’s office or at a location near the Mississippi River and a large airport as travel to and from Chicago, Washington, DC, and the ten main-stem Mississippi River states is expected.
Compensation
The selected candidate and the Biodiversity Project will enter into a 1-year contract (with the opportunity to renew for a second year). Salary will be based upon candidate’s experience, but will range from $40,000 – 43,000 per year, paid monthly. The candidate is responsible for all income taxes, related taxes and health care. The contract is for salary only. Biodiversity Project will cover all travel and materials associated with the project.
To Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to Mississippi River Program Manager Amy Sauer at asauer@biodiverse.org. Position open until filled.
To Learn More
The Mississippi River Network’s public campaign is titled 1 Mississippi. The 1 Mississippi website (www.1mississippi.org) has a great deal of information about the campaign and some information about the Mississippi River Network and its members.
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