Policy Associate

Responsibilities

• Conducts federal policy analysis and monitors congressional, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant federal policy issues.
• Participates in state legislative and administrative processes; attends committee hearings, lobby visits, budget hearings, floor sessions, commission meetings, and other meetings relevant to TNC conservation priorities and in support of advocacy goals and objectives.
• Maintains awareness of legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant state and federal policy issues; provides research, policy analysis, and recommendations on state public policy issues, policy options, agency budgets, and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, rulemaking efforts, and changes in agency policies.
• Develops policy communications assets to support the Oregon Business Unit’s and Western Division’s policy advocacy and strategic communications needs, including talking points, testimony, one-pagers, letters to the editor, and social media posts.
• Attends and takes notes at committee hearings, lobbying visits, floor sessions, agency commission meetings, and other relevant venues in support of TNC conservation priorities.
• Works with Marketing and Communications and Government Relations teams to produce state and federal policy briefs to help educate elected officials, partner organizations, board of trustees members, and the general public.
• Some overnight out of state travel for trainings and Washington, D.C. fly-ins, frequent travel to Salem, OR during state legislative session, and occasional travel for organizational retreats.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with policy, advocacy, or strategic communications.
• Experience communicating with government officials and/or agency staff, partners and stakeholders, or organizational leaders.
• Experience researching information from varied sources and compiling it into communications materials, memos, and issue briefs.
• Experience in verbal and written communications, with strong analytical, writing and critical thinking skills.
• Experience cultivating and sustaining relationships and working effectively with a wide variety of teams.
• Fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Self-starting, independent worker with experience coordinating complex projects in a fast-paced, decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.
• Experience with legislative, policy or strategic communications initiatives at two or more of the following levels: local, regional, state or federal.
• Experience working with lobbyists and policy professionals in the nonprofit, conservation, environmental, or sustainability sectors.
• Experience building networks or organizational capacity, facilitating informational sessions, increasing internal knowledge and capacity, and identifying key stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Skills

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of lobbying laws and regulations.

Benefits

• Health care benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• A 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match.
• Parenthood leave.
• Accrued paid time off.
• Life insurance.
• Disability coverage.
• Employee assistance program.
• Other life and work well-being benefits.