Legislative & Political Director

Job Title: Legislative & Political Director

Chapter: North Carolina Chapter

Location: Hybrid based in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Reports to: Chapter Director

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

The NC Chapter of Sierra Club supports volunteer grassroots advocacy at the state and local levels and, along with NC environmental and social justice organizations, is helping lead efforts to advance policies that protect the state’s air and water, public lands, and those suffering from the disparate impacts of climate change. 

Scope:The Legislative & Political Director builds the Chapter’s power and influence, in cooperation with the volunteer leadership, through delivery of legislative and electoral grassroots advocacy efforts. Recruits, organizes and supports volunteer efforts, maintains governmental and political contacts, evaluates legislation, makes strategic recommendations related to legislation and political endorsements. Supports fundraising for Sierra Club North Carolina Political Action Committee (PAC) to support or oppose state and local candidates for elected office.

This is a hybrid position that requires frequent in-person meetings as well as occasional in-state travel.

• Legislative Strategy. Plans, coordinates, and implements the Chapter’s legislative strategies as approved by the Chapter leadership. Represents the Chapter to elected and appointed officials. Contacts and meets with other individuals and groups having similar positions in order to rally support/opposition for bills, initiatives, laws, or resolutions. Plans and coordinates meetings between members and elected officials to discuss legislative issues and proposals and allow for officials to hear and consider member concerns. 
• Legislative Lobbying. Monitors, studies, and researches proposed legislation to determine possible effects on the environment and makes appropriate recommendations. Confers with legislators and officials to emphasize merits or weaknesses of specific bills to influence passage, defeat, or amendment of measure, or introduction of legislation that defend and advance environmental protection. Prepares and presents testimony at appropriate legislative hearings. 
• Political Campaigns. Plans, coordinates, supports and implements the Chapter’s political program as approved by the Chapter leadership, including endorsements and conducting election campaign activities. Ensures compliance with Sierra Club policy and federal and state laws related to election activities, including management and administration of the Chapter’s state Political Action Committee (PAC) and related reporting requirements. Coordinates with the Sierra Club national political team as needed. 
• Political Accountability. Monitors, and records voting patterns of elected officials regarding environmental legislation.  Informs and educates the public as to the position taken by elected officials.
• Volunteer Recruitment and Leadership Development. Trains, informs, and motivates volunteers and other Chapter staff to enable them to activate others in efforts to influence legislative and regulatory decisions and in the political process. Participates in the development of educational informational materials in regard to the Chapter’s legislative and political grassroots efforts. 
• Policy Messaging & Communications. Works with Sierra Club staff and volunteers to develop a consistent, clear state policy, legislative, and political message that is being communicated to the public. Communicates with the media to state the Sierra Club's view on specific state political matters including endorsements and campaign efforts.  
• Advance Sierra Club North Carolina’s Cultural Transformation Goals. Supports implementation of the Chapter's efforts to cultivate an environment that benefits from a broad coalition of identities reflecting the richness of cultures across North Carolina. Seeks and creates opportunities to affirm the belonging of partners and members through political and policy work. 
• Miscellaneous. Travel is required for staff meetings, volunteer group meetings, statewide political and legislative functions, and other meetings and events deemed relevant to the duties of the job. Meetings and other work outside of regular business hours, including weekends and evenings is required. Heavier workloads may occur as a result of deadlines and during peak activity periods.

• Substantial subject matter expertise in environmental policy, political science, or both. Prior experience and effectiveness in lobbying and election campaigns. Clear understanding and knowledge of the legislative and political process.
• Experience working with political and legislative tools and tactics. Strong candidates will have experience using legislative and political tools such as polling, virtual phone banking, open source event hosting, social media, fundraising, and power mapping. Experience and competency using Microsoft Office applications, Google drive, and constituent database management applications such as the Voter Activation Network (VAN), Salesforce, and Quorum.
• Strong analytical skills. Ability and willingness to conduct strategic outreach. Successful candidates will show a strong desire to engage in collaboration, conduct outreach, and build networks throughout the organization and the state. 
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and clearly both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

• A deep knowledge and understanding of North Carolina’s unique legislative and political landscape. 
• Extensive experience working with members of the media in advocacy and political contexts. 
• Experience and a deep understanding of the rules, laws, and guidelines as it relates to political work in North Carolina, both advocacy and electoral. 
• Can recognize where work needs to be done and fill the gaps. Self-motivated; can work  independently as well as part of a team.
• Fast learner who can quickly absorb, distill and communicate to diverse audiences new and often complex information

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.