Water Quality Program Director   January 2019  

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:   To provide strategic vision and leadership to Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s (MCEA’s) Water Quality Program. MCEA is the state’s leading public-interest environmental and energy law firm. We advocate in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, at the legislature, and in the realm of public opinion to protect and defend Minnesota’s environment and the health of its people.   The Water Quality Program Director oversees development and implementation of MCEA’s advocacy on water. This includes creating and communicating a broad vision for program success, setting clear program goals, identifying and managing execution of projects consistent with program goals, developing and managing program budgets, building and managing important external relationships including with diverse communities, clients, coalition partners and funders, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that values differences, and providing leadership to other MCEA staff.   

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:  

1.         Establishes, with their team, a clear long-term vision for achieving clean water in Minnesota. Establishes outcome-based goals for program area and communicates with team and other staff what goals are and what success looks like.  

2.         Develops, with their team, advocacy projects designed to achieve program goals. Oversees implementation of projects.  

3.         Ensures that all aspects of MCEA’s strategic advantage — legal advocacy, communications, mapping, etc. — are used to fullest extent in execution of advocacy projects.  

4.         Ensures that project selection follows MCEA protocol, including use of MCEA’s strategy screen.  

5.         Manages project implementation, providing advice, leadership, and feedback to project teams as necessary and appropriate.  

6.         Assumes oversight and shared responsibility for program funding and finances, including assisting with fundraising and fundraising plan development, fostering strong relationships with funders, keeping funders informed of project activities and progress, filing required grant reports, etc., and assisting with development and oversight of program budget.

7.         Acts as spokesperson to the media and external contacts on issues related to program area.  

8.         Stays abreast of emerging trends in law and policy that affect program area.  

9.         Fosters good working relationships with other advocacy organizations, regulatory agencies, academics, affected communities, experts and others to help attain MCEA objectives. Engages actively in outreach to build and maintain good relationships with a wide range of allies, partners, and interested groups.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:   The Program Director may be called upon to supervise other advocacy staff, including staff attorneys, policy analysts and/or program associates.  

OTHER PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:  

1.   Sound judgment with ability to balance independent action with adequate communication to the Chief Legal Officer and other MCEA staff  

2.   Creative and efficient use of resources in planning and managing advocacy for successful outcomes.  

3.   Clear, logical, and focused analysis and synthesis of issues and the ability to identify and implement strategies that are practically and politically feasible.  

4.   Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.  

5.   Excellent writing ability.  

6.   Positive contribution to team-oriented work environment  

QUALIFICATIONS:  

1. Significant experience and demonstrated expertise in water quality, environmental and/or agricultural law and policy.
2. Experience setting goals, identifying and implementing strategies to achieve sought outcomes.
3. Experience in program management including project implementation, fundraising and budget management, and program evaluation.
4. Excellent writing and analytic skills.
5. Commitment to public interest environmental advocacy and environmental justice.
6. Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and culture that values differences.
7. Significant relevant work experience, J.D. degree, or advanced degree in environmental and/or agricultural policy preferred.

MCEA strives to create a mission-focused work environment that is fair and inclusive. We offer a competitive non-profit salary, including excellent benefits.

MCEA highly values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. TO APPLY: Please send cover letter explaining qualifications and interest, résumé, and references to HR@mncenter.org. Position will remain open until filled.