The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is accepting applications for a Virginia Advocacy and Outreach Associate. This is a new position based in SELC’s Richmond, VA office and will report to the Senior Policy and Outreach Manager. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation. SELC’s work focuses on the following program areas: climate change, environmental justice, clean energy, healthy air, transportation and land use, clean water, wetlands and coasts, and forest protection.

The Virginia Advocacy & Outreach Associate will play a critical role in advancing SELC’s mission by supporting advocacy efforts on complex environmental issues through place-based education and partnership engagement activities, strategic coalitions, direct advocacy to state and local decision makers and more. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in field organizing, strategic advocacy campaigns, and direct lobbying.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a 3-year term limit. Due to the nature of the work, this is an in-person position, not a hybrid in-office/remote position. The start date is spring 2025.

Primary Responsibilities:

Develop multiple advocacy campaigns in conjunction with attorneys, communications staff, partners and others.
Execute outreach and advocacy activities associated with planned campaigns to achieve success on SELC’s priorities.
Consistently monitor, assess and adjust advocacy campaigns for high impact.
Build and cultivate strong relationships with decision-makers, partner organizations, clients, allies, and community members.
Generally, represent SELC’s positions in various venues, including with partners, stakeholders, elected officials and others; this could be through public speaking opportunities, meeting participation or written materials.
Monitor and track state legislation that aligns with SELC’s priorities; actively lobby a portfolio of issues in the General Assembly and year-round with guidance from attorneys.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three years or more of relevant organizing, advocacy campaign, and lobbying experience.
Proven commitment to environmental solutions and environmental justice.
Ability to think strategically and manage concurrent fast-paced projects.
Action-oriented with proven performance building support in communities and among allied organizations and officials.
Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse set of partners, allies, and officials.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical and legal issues into plain language and to develop persuasive public messaging.
Commitment to working with communities of color and other vulnerable communities.
A strong work ethic and sense of initiative, with demonstrated ability to meet internal and external deadlines while supporting SELC’s collegial and collaborative approach in all interactions.
A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.

Desired Qualifications:

Virginia-based experience in organizing, advocacy campaigns, and/or lobbying is a plus.

About SELC:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.

Compensation & Benefits:

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $58,000- $70,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.

To Apply:

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter; resume; references; transcript from undergraduate or, if applicable, graduate institution; and one work sample of your prior work, such as an existing factsheet, handout, website content, strategy memo, or similar work product that you created. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is January 20, 2025. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

APPLY NOW

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.