Conservation Advocacy and Outreach Senior Coordinator

Overview

Job Summary
The Conservation Advocacy and Outreach Senior Coordinator coordinates and supports grass-roots advocacy, review of environmental impact assessments/reports, and implementation of large-scale conservation campaigns to protect California’s globally significant native plant biodiversity and support the state’s Pathways to 30×30 strategy. Reporting to the Conservation Program Director, the Conservation Advocacy and Outreach Senior Coordinator collaborates closely with CNPS staff, volunteers, and partners to advance CNPS priority conservation campaigns and support CNPS Chapters with advice and technical information.

What You’ll Do

CNPS Grass Roots Advocacy Capacity-building and Chapter Support (50%)  

• Recruit, train, and manage a diverse and inclusive CNPS volunteer “Advocacy Corps” through biannual in-person trainings, monthly virtual meetings, and online resources with the goal of cultivating a pool of ready-to-act grassroots activists representing local constituencies and CNPS interests.
• Work with the CNPS Public Affairs team to develop and activate a digital advocacy system that includes petition management, form-generated letters to public officials, and a regular cadence of calls-to-action for native plant advocates statewide.
• Support CNPS chapter conservation efforts with strategic advice and technical information. Coordinate with chapter volunteers on local and regional conservation issues specific to the chapters. At times, lead action on behalf of Chapters on specific issues.
• Provide training to chapter volunteers and convene regular meetings with members based on regional and/or subject matter interest.
• Communicate with volunteers about, and organize actions related to, advocacy on proposed legislation and policy changes.
• Host a quarterly in-person meeting in Southern California with CNPS Chapters to support information-sharing and collaboration on conservation issues in Southern California and Baja California Norte.

 Conservation Advocacy (50%)  

• Conserve habitat under the banner of California’s 30×30 strategy, including the establishment and/or expansion of national monuments.
• Serve as the CNPS lead on at least one monument campaign, including through coalition engagement and the development of support books and objects of interest reports.
• Work with chapters and community members to organize the local support necessary for campaign success.
• Work with chapter volunteers and partner organizations on monument planning efforts.
• Facilitate partnerships and coordinated efforts with environmental organizations working on similar conservation priorities.
• Provide technical review of environmental documents prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and provide strategic advocacy support related to these projects. This will involve coordination with CNPS volunteers and collaborating organizations.
• Track CEQA and NEPA documents for projects of concern and maintain reviewed documents in a database. Analyze environmental documents through the utilization of a prioritization matrix and ensure that priority projects are addressed by CNPS staff, volunteers, and/or partner organizations.
• Assist Conservation and Public Affairs staff in the review of proposed legislation and policy changes.

Who You Are

• 2-4 years of experience in environmental conservation and/or volunteer engagement, preferably in natural resources, land management, agriculture, and/or climate initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of California’s geography, flora, and habitats.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal conservation laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes.
• A strong commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in all areas of work.
• 4–6 years of demonstrated experience coordinating people and projects.
• High degree of initiative and ability to work independently and as part of the CNPS team.
• Strong commitment and dedication to the native plant mission.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including:
• Ability to articulate well-reasoned, well-supported legal and scientific arguments in written comment letters in support of CNPS’s position on conservation issues and projects.
• Ability to speak publicly and provide testimony in a variety of forums.
• Proficient computer skills particularly with Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with collaborators from a wide range of backgrounds, including volunteers, agency personnel, elected officials and staffers, academics, professional and amateur botanists, and other constituents.

Education 

• BA/BS degree in conservation biology, political science, environmental or land management policy, natural resource management, botany, or related field.

Nice to Have 
While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all these characteristics, the successful candidate will possess at least one – and ideally more than one – of the following: 

• Fluency in Spanish or other languages spoken by California residents.
• Proficiency in using GIS software.
• Experience doing field work and/or leading field trips.
• Experience producing digital advocacy tools including, for example, Story Maps, Campaign Videos, websites.
• Legislative advocacy experience including tracking, analyzing, and lobbying for legislation and policies at state and/or federal level.

Physical Requirements  
This job can require prolonged sitting and use of a computer and mouse. It may require participation in field trips on uneven trails and variable grades. Travel is required and candidates should be aware that travel involves inherent risks and varying physical demands depending on location and mode of transportation. These requirements are representative, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Additional Information  

• This is a full-time (40-hour week), non-exempt, hybrid position, based in Sacramento. Remote work from a Bay Area location outside of the Sacramento region may be considered.
• Standard business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
• A valid California driver’s license is required.
• Periodic travel within California is required, including quarterly travel to Southern California. Work travel is reimbursed.

What You’ll Get

• Hourly rate from $31.51 – $33.96
• 100% of employee premiums for health (Kaiser or Anthem), life, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 6% matching contributions, eligible immediately
• Optional flexible spending account (FSA) / health savings account (HSA), dependent care account (DCA) and/or transportation savings account (TSA)
• Annual paid leave benefits include 13 holidays, 12 sick/wellness days, and 10 paid vacation days
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• A CNPS-issued laptop, $750 home office stipend, and $60/month telework stipend
• Attendance at semiannual staff team building events
• Complimentary CNPS Society membership
• “Superhero to the planet” status (for your contributions to our mission)

Equal Opportunity Policy 
CNPS’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. This policy demonstrates CNPS’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that values different perspectives and fosters belonging. To better understand the demographic profile of applicants, CNPS requests candidates to fill out the volunteer questionnaire that is part of the application form. Your responses will remain confidential, anonymized, and not shared with the hiring committee.