Advocacy Manager

Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light (WA IPL) is seeking an Advocacy Manager to effectively organize and mobilize the people of faith and conscience to advocate for strong environmental policies (specifically as it relates to the areas of Water, Health, and Energy in Washington State) through strategic, relational, inspiring, and collaborative leadership.

Position Summary: The Advocacy Manager is responsible for organizing and mobilizing people of faith and conscience to advocate for Washington State-based environmental policies that prioritize the wellbeing of people and planet in collaboration with diverse coalition partners. The position will also be responsible for strengthening and expanding connections with sacred communities and their members to EM/WA IPL’s faithful advocacy program. This position works in collaboration with EM/WA IPL’s small but growing team and reports to the Executive Director.

Position Location: Must live within Washington State, currently staff work as hybrid model.

Overall Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Center EM/WA IPL’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Statement and Commitments in decision making about advocacy actions and campaign priorities and commit to studying and practicing anti-racist, anti-oppression practices.
• Be available to travel periodically for workshops, community engagement, and organizational events. Compensation will be provided for travel expenses.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Advocacy/Community Organizing

• Develop strategic plans for organizing and empowering EM/WA IPL’s sacred communities and their members advocate for environmental justice and the well-being of their communities across Washington State.
• Deepen and build upon the network of sacred communities connected to EM/WA IPL to expand the effectiveness and impact of faith-rooted presence for strong environmental policies.
• Track pertinent state and local environmental issues and discern how/if they fit into EM/WA IPL’s Strategic Plan.
• Educate sacred communities, through community forums, legislative workshops, lobby days, public hearings, etc., about environmental issues impacting local communities as well as statewide issues.
• Serve as a bridge between sacred communities and environmental advocacy organizations and coalitions, thereby educating and networking the communities. This can also include helping to coordinate contact between EM/WA IPL members and their elected officials.
• Represent EM/WA IPL’s faithful advocacy program in wider environmental coalitions by actively participating in the development of current and future campaign strategies from a multifaith perspective.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with a wide range of religious leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers, including other non-governmental organizations, state, and federal government officials, multifaith denominational executives, key Native leaders, and other potential partners.
• Represent EM/WA IPL by writing, presenting, and/or submitting organizational statements in public comment periods on proposed legislation, bill implementation, and agency processes

Program Development

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to reshape EM/WA IPL’s overall advocacy program.
• Create, curate, and implement advocacy-related presentations including adult education classes, conference workshops, testimony training, panel discussions, and other public speaking as requested.
• Create messaging on environmental issues and positions from a multifaith perspective; write and ensure effective distribution of EM/WA IPL advocacy materials to target audiences.
• Contribute advocacy-related content for EM/WA IPL’s newsletter, website, social media, and email alerts.

Staff Support

• Leverage advocacy outreach to encourage financial support of EM/WA IPL.
• Work collaboratively within a small staff and take on other duties as necessary.

Qualifications

We invite all interested candidates and especially welcome candidates under-represented in the environmental movement who are willing to learn and grow with the organization. EM/WA IPL is seeking a leader who has:

• Strong relationship building and organizational skills.
• Experience in advocacy, public policy, community organizing, political campaigning or a related field. Preferred experience working for non-profit environmental or faith-rooted organizations.
• Enthusiasm about and dedication to Earth Ministry/WA IPL mission, as well as broader social change, and eagerness to contribute to an advocacy ecosystem where Earth Ministry/WA IPL plays a vital role.
• An understanding of climate issues, including just transitions, resilience, conservation/stewardship, and harm reduction.
• Ability to partner with people across the geographical, theological, and political spectrum in Washington State and build shared purpose toward common action among diverse populations.
• Ability to prioritize incorporating to undoing institutional and systemic racism and other forms of oppression.
• Ability to work with a team as well as working independently.