Water Policy Manager

Clean Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization with offices in Madison and Milwaukee and a mission to combat climate change and pollution in our air, water & land. Clean Wisconsin is looking for an effective and resourceful leader to manage the organization’s critical work addressing emerging issues and ground- and surface-water contaminants, with specific focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), municipal sourcewater protection efforts, and data center water use. The Manager will also work to expand the organization’s presence addressing these water pollution issues at the federal level.

As a key member of the Water Policy Team, the Manager will support Clean Wisconsin’s water & agriculture program existing work in these areas and will report to the program director. The Manager will serve as Clean Wisconsin’s voice on these and related water use and pollution issues, including speaking with reporters and media outlets, presenting at conferences and meetings, and providing testimony and comments on administrative rules and state and federal proposed legislation. This is a full-time position based in our Madison office. Join our team of passionate environmental advocates and experts!

Clean Wisconsin is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our work and in our hiring practices. We value a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences, and we prioritize diversity within our team. If you have any doubt about whether you might be qualified for this position and you think you have something special to contribute, we encourage you to apply. Please also see our statement on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Track trends, changes, and developments in scientific, legal, political, and regulatory matters. Monitor developments in programmatic priorities by researching, tracking, and analyzing legislation and policy initiatives related to PFAS, sourcewater pollution and protection efforts, and water use.
• In collaboration with Clean Wisconsin’s water policy team, support the program’s legislative and policy priorities including drafting legislation, preparing and occasionally delivering testimony, and developing policy briefs and educational materials.
• Conduct program and policy analysis to identify and support potential recommendations and solutions to ground- and surface-water contamination.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with key government officials, especially those at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Department of Health Services and University of Wisconsin System Schools.
• In collaboration with Clean Wisconsin’s science program, evaluate scientific data related to water contamination to support policy and programmatic efforts. Assess linkages between emerging contaminants and public health.
• Work with Clean Wisconsin’s communications department to create outreach materials and website content to elevate the voices of place-based groups impacted by water contamination and enhance public awareness and policy-maker education.
• Identify and support place-based groups working to protect drinking water quality through data analysis and policy development.
• Promote Clean Wisconsin’s efforts to combat water pollution at speaking engagements, fundraising events and other venues.
• Maintain effective communication with other environmental organizations, coalitions and partners.
• Assist with grant development, grant reporting, project management and other activities that support program priorities.
• Anticipated effort by topic will generally align as follows: PFAS (40%), sourcewater protection (45%), water use/data centers (10%), and other duties relating to the water & agriculture program as assigned (5%).

Required Skills and Experience

• Ability to perform in a rapidly changing work environment and manage competing priorities while maintaining a long-term vision.
• Familiarity, fluency and comfort with issues of water contamination and basic governmental processes at the state and federal level.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical issues into the language of laypersons.
• Attention to detail, procedural rules and instructions.
• Familiarity with key stakeholders in water advocacy, paired with a demonstrated ability to forge strong relationships of trust.
• Strong listening skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to be a spokesperson to the media, to other advocates and within appropriate governmental forums.
• Knowledge and appreciation for how issues of water contamination and related government programs play out in low-income households, urban and rural communities.
• Interdisciplinary thinking and grasp of the intersections between water pollution, climate change, and environmental justice.
• Skill in working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, especially communities most affected by environmental injustices.
• Ability to interact effectively, appropriately, and compassionately with staff and colleagues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, and Zoom (or equivalents).
• Two years of experience working within relevant issue areas and policy development is preferred, though not required.

Traits

• Commitment to securing a sustainable and healthy future for all Wisconsin communities and addressing the disproportionate burden falling on low-income households in our urban and rural areas.
• Commitment to help create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Discretion and sound judgment.
• Team player.
• Flexibility and creativity.
• Sense of humor.

Working Conditions

• Office based position in Madison, Wisconsin with potential for a hybrid work schedule allowing remote work up to two days or approximately 16 hours per five-day work week.
• Frequent travel throughout the state to meet with impacted community members, policymakers, agency staff, researchers and partner organizations.
• Occasional evening and weekend work for public meetings, conferences, workshops, and events, as necessary.

Required Education

An undergraduate or graduate degree—or equivalent experience—related to environmental science, conservation, climate change, public policy or political science.

Compensation

Salary range for the position is $64,000- $80,000 commensurate with skills and experience. Benefits package includes health and dental insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer match, paid sick leave and vacation, life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance.