Government Affairs Manager for Climate Resilience
Position Summary
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the innovative Government and Policy Affairs team as a Government Affairs Manager. This position will serve as a critical link between TPL’s land acquisition conservation team with a specific focus on climate, water and wildfire conservation policy. The core responsibility of this role will be to work with the land conservation and government affairs team to align policy, public funding, and land conservation projects to contribute to our climate conservation work.
As a vital member of the Government/Policy Affairs Team, the Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for a full range of activities associated with the delivery of Trust for Public Land’s mission across California.
This position will be a dynamic, organized and talented individual that will be an integral part of the Government/Policy Affairs team. The candidate will work with state and local elected and government officials and staff, community-based partners, land trusts, other conservation and restoration partners, and other stakeholders to deliver conservation wins for TPL’s mission and priorities.
The position will be based in Sacramento. A hybrid in-person/remote office model will be in place for the foreseeable future.
About the Trust for Public Land
At TPL, we’re a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We’re committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That’s why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we’re an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.
One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don’t have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of home. We’re determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We’re inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature.
RESPONSIBILITIES
EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SKILLS:
COMPENSATION
As a full-time, exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a 7% company matching. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $80,000-$95,000 annually.
The Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets and experiences.
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the innovative Government and Policy Affairs team as a Government Affairs Manager. This position will serve as a critical link between TPL’s land acquisition conservation team with a specific focus on climate, water and wildfire conservation policy. The core responsibility of this role will be to work with the land conservation and government affairs team to align policy, public funding, and land conservation projects to contribute to our climate conservation work.
As a vital member of the Government/Policy Affairs Team, the Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for a full range of activities associated with the delivery of Trust for Public Land’s mission across California.
This position will be a dynamic, organized and talented individual that will be an integral part of the Government/Policy Affairs team. The candidate will work with state and local elected and government officials and staff, community-based partners, land trusts, other conservation and restoration partners, and other stakeholders to deliver conservation wins for TPL’s mission and priorities.
The position will be based in Sacramento. A hybrid in-person/remote office model will be in place for the foreseeable future.
About the Trust for Public Land
At TPL, we’re a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We’re committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That’s why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we’re an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.
One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don’t have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of home. We’re determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We’re inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- In coordination with conservation team and government affairs team, support and expand TPL-CA’s water and fire portfolio to advance multi—benefit projects
- Work with state and local agencies to align public dollars to advance strategic conservation investments, in particular those advancing water and wildfire resilience
- Track legislation, regulatory plans and policy changes, and engage in legislative priorities as necessary
- Independently conduct research, analysis, and evaluation of existing and proposed water and fire resilience programs and policies to identify and prioritize strategies, goals, and tactics.
- Represent TPL at external meetings and conferences, build public awareness and understanding of TPL, lead meetings, public speaking engagements
- Cultivate and manage relationships with key regional, and state-level agricultural and irrigation districts, water and fire districts, environmental, and other relevant entities
- Collaborate with partners, including but not limited to environmental, water/fire districts, and land trusts to identify and implement nature-based climate strategies that increase climate resilience
- Assist and/or lead grant applications for water or fire related land conservation projects
- Manage grant deliverables, deadlines and project reporting
- Collaborates with Conservation Finance teams and local staff and partners to advance policy, funding and other legislative priorities
- The above does not include all duties as assigned or directed to this role, and may be subject to change as necessary
EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SKILLS:
- B.S or B.A. in environmental policy, natural resources, or related field; or equivalent work experience. A minimum of 2-5 years’ policy related experience or equivalent. Requirement may be waived altogether for a candidate who can successfully demonstrate commensurate professional experience along with excellence in their past roles.
- Flexibility in scheduling and willingness to travel to and attend meetings, may include evenings and weekends.
- A passion for Trust for Public Land’s mission and a passion for social and environmental justice are essential.
- Experience in legislative tracking, research, and analysis at local, state, or federal levels.
- Experience in California legislative and public financing is a must.
- Knowledge with political campaigns and/or grassroots advocacy and lobbying.
- Knowledge of major state and federal environmental policies and laws
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and communities.
- Ability to manage complex projects from start to finish with a low level of supervision.
- Well-organized and detail oriented.
- High degree of creativity, vision, flexibility, and resourcefulness.
- Excellent oral, written and graphic communication skills.
- Fluency in Spanish or other languages besides English is a plus.
COMPENSATION
As a full-time, exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan with a 7% company matching. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $80,000-$95,000 annually.
The Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets and experiences.
