Maryland’s citizens and environment currently face a wide range of problems that will only get worse unless action is taken soon. The Chesapeake Bay has a dead zone each summer from too much nutrient pollution, suburban sprawl continues to eat up valuable farmland and open space, and global warming pollution is steadily growing.

It takes independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results for our environment, especially when powerful interests are standing in the way. That's why Environment Maryland was formed. We focus exclusively on protecting Maryland’s air, water and open spaces. We speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of our environment and our lives. 

After 25 years of striving to meet voluntary cleanup goals for the Chesapeake Bay, farms, sewage treatment plants, and other sources still put 40 percent more nutrient pollution into the bay than it can safely handle. As the U.S. EPA sets new pollution limits for the bay watershed, we need them to put teeth into the standards.  As developers build housing to satisfy the growth boom at military bases, we need to make sure local governments are demanding construction that is environmentally sensitive.

Job Description

We are seeking a policy advocate to lead our fight to preserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay and reduce sprawl development. The policy advocate will develop programs and campaigns to implement common-sense protections for Maryland’s environment. Responsibilities include:

Advocacy: Bringing problems and solutions to the attention of decision-makers, including state legislators, people in the Executive branch, environmental agency staff and local officials.

Campaign Strategy: Creating a plan to win on our environmental campaigns; strategizing how to gain political support for our agenda through research, coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media publicity, endorsements and message development.

Media Outreach: Serving as the public spokesperson for campaigns through media events, news releases and editorial board meetings.

Policy Development: Developing policy areas for Environment Maryland to tackle. Analyzing and creating issue areas based on current political situations and hot issues that arise in the state.

Organization Building: Write grant proposals, impress foundations with an environmental mission to support our work, and meet with large donors, all to bring more resources to our efforts to protect the environment. Recruit new staff and volunteers to increase our impact on all our issues.

Qualifications
Candidates must have at least 3 to 8 years of relevant professional experience, post-college. Experience in political, legal, journalistic, activist or nonprofit settings preferred. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to environmental issues and a track record of leadership and academic excellence.  We're looking for a results-oriented individual who has excellent verbal, writing and analytical skills, the ability to debate and speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere, and enthusiasm for the work.

Salary and Benefits
Salary for this position is commensurate with a candidate’s relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees.  A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick days.  Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

Location
Baltimore, with regular travel to Annapolis and throughout Maryland.

To Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to Brad Heavner at careers@EnvironmentMaryland.org.  Please specify which position you are applying for in the subject line of the e-mail, and be sure to mention where you saw our job advertised.