Policy Director

Summary of Job Functions:

The Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) Policy Director is a dedicated individual with a fervor for environmental health and justice and using his/her/their skills and experience to drive ACAT’s policy initiatives. In this role, you will dive deep into the world of environmental health and justice and play a crucial role in developing, prioritizing, and implementing ACAT’s local, state, national, and international policy work.

ACAT believes everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, toxic-free food, and a climate-stable future. As Policy Director, your primary responsibility will be working with ACAT’s staff to prioritize and develop ACAT’s policy initiatives, as well as strategic plans for achieving those policies. The Policy Director will train and supervise ACAT staff responsible for implementing policy initiatives (“policy team”).

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Using the Integrated Voter Engagement, lead and facilitate ACAT’s local, state, national, and international policy work on toxic chemicals, climate change, and just transition.

In consultation with ACAT’s staff directors, develop and implement annual priorities, strategies, goals, and objectives for health-protective policy change.

Train, oversee, supervise, and mentor policy team members.

Collaborate with ACAT’s allies to achieve policy change; build relationships with additional allies; participate in Environmental Health and Justic coalitions relevant to ACAT’s policy goals.

Monitor legislative developments relevant to ACAT’s goals and work with ACAT’s staff directors to adjust ACAT’s approach as appropriate.

Educate policy makers and their staffs on the impact of toxic chemicals on humans and the environment.

Cultivate relationships with legislative staff on key committees.

Cultivate relationships with decision-makers in state and federal regulatory agencies.

Analyze legislation and regulations.

Draft legislation and provide written and/or verbal testimony in support or opposition to legislative initiatives.

Write regulatory comments to state and federal agencies.

In partnership with ACAT’s Media and Communications Coordinator, develop reports, fact sheets, and other resources to support and inform policy initiatives; and otherwise collaborate to enhance awareness of ACAT’s issues and initiatives, as well as to respond to media inquiries.

Engage ACAT’s stakeholders and constituency to achieve policy goals through reports, fact sheets, action alerts, advocacy training materials, webinars, workshops, etc.

Foster a respectful, collaborative, and cohesive team environment.

Ensure policy team members have the resources and support they need to achieve ACAT’s policy goals.

Incorporate Integrated Voter Engagement framework and State Voices Voter Activation Network (VAN) into all aspects of the work.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Deep commitment to environmental health and justice and alignment with ACAT’s vision, mission, and goals, including our commitment to principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Proven communicator, speaker, writer, and motivator.

Enthusiasm for lifelong learning and keeping current with emerging scientific evidence of the links between toxic chemicals and adverse health effects.

Established skills in building effective relationships with co-workers, policy leaders, environmental health and justice advocates, and other key influencers.

Organizational proficiency and an eye for both the big picture and detail.

Previous experience in policy development.

Adaptability and flexibility in the face of change.

Previous supervisory experience, demonstrated team leadership skills, and ability to share expertise.

Willingness to travel and work long, flexible hours as necessary to accomplish ACAT’s policy goals (e.g., during the legislative session, evening meetings and events, etc.).

Minimum of five years of increasing responsibility (including a supervisory role) in public policy work for a non-profit organization related to environmental health and justice.

Degree in public policy, environmental health, sustainability, or other related field or equivalent policy-related work experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• Travel

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Ability to Relocate:

• Anchorage, AK 99518: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person