Background

The NC Conservation Network is looking for a perceptive, organized, and team-oriented individual to be our new Policy Analyst.

The North Carolina Conservation Network is a statewide network of over 120 environmental, community and environmental justice organizations – ‘affiliates’ – focused on protecting North Carolina’s environment and public health. The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment.  In carrying out this mission, the NC Conservation Network relies on the Policy Analyst to keep timely information flowing to affiliates and to assist in coalition campaigns in the state legislature and before state administrative bodies. 

Objective

The Policy Analyst works closely with the Policy Director and organizing staff to support affiliate and coalition campaigns.  The job evolves over time; the Policy Analyst can expect to spend much of their first session tracking legislation, learning the politics and personalities of the North Carolina General Assembly and the state Executive branch, and keeping affiliates informed of threats and opportunities.  As the Policy Analyst masters these components of the job, their workplan will expand to include presenting policy issues to grassroots audiences, drafting action alerts and media messages, developing strategy for coalition campaigns, and advocating directly with decision makers.      

Primary Responsibilities

• Write Legislative Updates: During the legislative session, the Policy Analyst drafts and distributes weekly email updates on legislative activities.  The Legislative Updates have traditionally included summaries of key committee meetings and floor debates, summaries of newly-introduced legislation, changes in bill status, and occasional discussions of environmental politics in the state legislature.  The Policy Analyst is responsible for writing most of these materials under the supervision of the NC Conservation Network’s Policy Director. 

• Contribute to Weekly Alerts: Year round, the NC Conservation Network sends a weekly email to affiliates with announcements of events and trainings, news of campaign successes, and summaries of non-legislative meetings.  The Weekly Alerts are compiled and distributed by the Affiliate Organizer, but the Policy Analyst is responsible for summarizing key environmental commission meetings and public notices posted in the NC Register or sent out by the state environmental agency. 
• Safeguard affiliate interests: The Policy Analyst calls and emails NC Conservation Network affiliates on an individual basis to alert them to developments of particular interest or advise them on contacts within state agencies or other advocacy groups that can help them.  An essential part of serving affiliates is deciding each session which bills to track closely.  The Policy Analyst serves as an early warning system and a respected source of strategic advice for grassroots and lobbyists.
• Facilitate coordination between affiliates: While the legislature is out of session, the Policy Analyst hosts one or more Advocacy Team meetings, at which affiliates share information and coordinate plans for the next session.  During the session, the Policy Analyst convenes and facilitates weekly meetings of environmental lobbyists.  The Policy Analyst also represents the NC Conservation Network in the environmental community’s annual Common Agenda process, which establishes a short list of advocacy priorities for each legislative session.
  
• Collaborate in coalition campaigns: As the Policy Analyst gains experience, they are assigned to provide more concentrated support to one or two campaigns at a time.  Such support can include development of campaign strategy, facilitation of coalition meetings, development and implementation of media strategy, drafting of factsheets or grassroots alerts, and direct advocacy on behalf of the coalition. 

Critical Job Skills and Experience

• JD, or MS/MA in environmental or public policy.
• Substantive knowledge of environmental issues.
• 2 years governmental / legislative experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong writing skills.
  

Preferred Job Skills and Experience

• Experience or close knowledge of North Carolina politics.
• Experience working with grassroots and state level organizations.

Location

The position is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience and includes a full benefits package.  NC Conservation Network is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample by November 14, 2008.  The cover letter can be addressed to Grady McCallie, Policy Director, NC Conservation Network.  Please send the email to grady[at]ncconservationnetwork.org with the subject Attn: Policy Analyst Position.