Land Advocacy Director

Save Mount Diablo

201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 190, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Job description: Land Advocacy Director

Summary

Founded in 1971, Save Mount Diablo (SMD), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, with its headquarters in Walnut Creek, California, is a nationally accredited land trust that works to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and its sustaining Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources.

Save Mount Diablo is looking to hire a Land Advocacy Director, reporting to the Executive Director, to manage the organization’s Land Use/Advocacy Department and land advocacy efforts furthering SMD’s land conservation mission for Mount Diablo and its entire Diablo Range. This mountain range is over 200 miles long, runs through 12 counties, and contains over 4 million acres, which are largely intact open space areas, of which only about 27 percent is currently protected. The Diablo Range is a critical wildlife habitat corridor, with species like California condors, tule elk, golden eagles, and numerous endemic plants. Over 10 million people live around the Diablo Range. Thus, the range provides California with one of its best opportunities to meet its 30×30 goals and help more people connect with nature. The mountain range is facing numerous threats (residential development proposals, energy exploration efforts, reservoir proposals, etc.), but there are also opportunities (growing conservation partnerships for the range, Prop. 4 funding opportunities, growing public awareness of the range, etc.) that an experienced Land Advocacy Director will help SMD navigate.

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This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Executive Director.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Manage SMD’s Land Use/Advocacy Department including its staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Continually assist SMD in monitoring and updating its rolling three-year Strategic Plan, especially as it relates to land use and advocacy—and make sure the Land Use/Advocacy Department is substantially delivering on its goals in said plan.
• Provide leadership on advanced advocacy, land use, legislative, electoral, and policy issues related to SMD’s work.
• Work on non-candidate political campaigns developing campaign strategy, managing campaign activities, coordinating campaign consultants, building grassroots support, etc.
• Effectively manage and mentor staff, volunteers, and interns in the Land Use/Advocacy Department.
• Honor, and be a role model of, SMD’s organizational values (Respect for the Land and Stewardship of It for Future Generations—Advocacy, Activism, and Empowering Individuals—Collaboration—Pragmatism—Integrity—Equity—Gratitude, Kindness, and Respect—Science and Research).
• Create the annual land use/advocacy parts of SMD’s budget, consistent with the Strategic Plan, and monitor those parts of the budget throughout the fiscal year, including proactively making the Executive Director and Finance & Administration Director aware of any potential issues before they become problematic.
• Provide leadership on developing and stewarding critical partnerships with numerous strategic individuals, communities, agencies, organizations, and businesses across various sectors (political, nonprofit, government, corporate, grassroots, etc.).
• Help support SMD’s Development Department and efforts to raise funds for important advocacy and land use work.
• Serve as a supportive and helpful senior staff member of the staff management team.
• Staff and support important SMD committees like the Land Committee and attend Board of Directors meetings with the staff management team.
• Represent SMD at public meetings and with other external audiences—and be able to provide compelling presentations as required.

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:

• Proven track record of working on applicable land use and advocacy efforts at an advanced level for at least five years.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication/public speaking skills; ability to translate complex programs and initiatives into compelling narratives.
• Strong project management skills; attention to detail for tracking and adhering to deadlines.
• Experience building and stewarding partnerships across sectors (grassroots, political, government, nonprofit, corporate, etc.).
• Self-starter with strong work ethic; comfortable working collaboratively and independently.
• Proven ability to respectfully work with and manage staff, volunteers, interns, partners, and others.
• Experienced team player who is a positive and supportive role model.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and capacity to perform well in a fast-paced environment.
• Sincere and demonstrable passion for nature and conservation.
• Familiarity and experience using Microsoft Office Suite and Google Earth.
• Knowledge of CEQA, ESA, and other applicable regulations.
• Experienced researcher on complex regulatory and policy matters.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.

education and/or experience:

• At least a bachelor’s degree, but more advanced applicable degree preferred.
• At least five years of experience working on applicable land use and advocacy matters at an advanced level.

Essential requirements:

• Ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
• Daily access to a motor vehicle.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license, current auto insurance, and a clean driving

Physical demands:

The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee must be able to travel to external meetings and provide occasional physical setup and breakdown of meetings/events. Employee must also be able to hike, occasionally in steep and/or rugged terrain and in inclement weather.

Salary: Starting salary range of $125,000 to $135,000, dependent upon experience.

Benefits include: Health, dental, vision, 403(b) retirement plan.