Everglades Policy Specialist

Everglades Policy Specialist

Audubon Florida

Miami, FL or Remote (Southeast FL)

 

APPLY ONLINE ONLY AT:

https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/4755/policy-specialist%2c-everglades/job

 

Position Summary

The National Audubon Society has identified the Everglades as a national conservation priority and a centerpiece of Audubon’s hemispheric water strategy. The Greater Everglades Ecosystem supports 70 threatened and endangered species and is home to more than 8 million people. Everglades restoration is the world’s largest ecosystem restoration program and ensuring effective implementation of this program is one of our key priorities. Restoration is complemented by efforts to reducing nutrient pollution and other threats to the Everglades through science-based water policy initiatives.

Aligned with Audubon’s overall conservation goals and strategies and in coordination with the Policy Director of Everglades, this person will oversee the continued strategic and measurable implementation of conservation goals in the Greater Everglades that results in the organization’s increased capacity to protect priority birds and their habitats.

This position may be located in Miami, FL, or Remote (Southeast) Florida.

Essential Functions

  • Play an essential role in advancing Audubon’s Everglades policy goals and objectives by researching, analyzing, and providing guidance on Everglades issues.

  • Advise the Policy Director of Everglades on potential State and Federal legislative and administrative priorities, opportunities and risks.

  • Research and analyze existing water and agricultural Florida statutes, rules, and regulations, and advise potential improvements that result in implementing Audubon’s Everglades policy goals.

  • Prepare high quality analysis on draft legislation, restoration project Environmental Impact Statements and other on restoration programs related to the Everglades.

  • Draft potential legislation, fact sheets, comment letters, testimony, and other materials necessary to support Audubon’s Everglades policy goals and priorities.

  • Lead development and implementation of advocacy strategies for the Everglades.

  • Monitor development of new legislation during the Florida Legislative session. In coordination with the Policy Director, Everglades and the Policy Director. Tallahassee, advise and coordinate efforts to improve or stop bad legislation.

  • Develop working relationships with leadership and key staff at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and South Florida Water Management District in order to communicate Audubon’s Everglades priorities and influence policy outcomes.

  • Coordinate with Audubon’s science team members across the Everglades.

  • Identify and recruit strategic allies to help spread Audubon’s key Everglades policy goals.

  • Represent Audubon at Everglades-related public meetings and issued-based coalitions; monitor developments and contribute to coalition-based legislative positions that support Audubon’s key policy priorities.

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in policy, political science, biology or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

  • 5+ years of experience with a policy-oriented nonprofit organization, or with a relevant government agency working on water management, environmental regulations, or similar is required.

  • Knowledge of Florida water statutes, rules, and regulations.

  • Familiarity with agricultural regulations and programs targeted to reduce nutrient loading into natural systems.

  • Excellent policy analysis and research skills.

  • Excellent communications skills with ability to write clearly and command of public speaking; must be comfortable representing Audubon’s interests with a variety of stakeholders, including decision-makers at multiple agencies, NGO partners, and lay audiences.

  • Self-starter and results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to work independently and in coordination with multiple team players.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required, familiarity with social media tools a plus.

  • Able to travel and attend occasional external functions occurring on weekends and evenings.