Senior Policy & Campaign Manager, Resilient Communities

The Organization

The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is an environmental justice organization with deep roots in California’s Asian immigrant and refugee communities. Since 1993, APEN has built a membership base of Laotian refugees in Richmond and Chinese immigrants in Oakland and are currently growing a base in Los Angeles. Together, we have fought and won campaigns to make our communities healthier and just places where all people have the resources we need to live full, dignified lives. We are growing our local roots and building power to make decisions at the state level that have real local impact. By building an organized movement, we’re leading a transition away from an extractive economy based on profit and pollution and toward local, healthy, and life-sustaining economies that benefit everyone.

Position Summary

The Senior Policy & Campaign Manager will advance APEN’s state policy campaigns as it relates to climate resilience, energy equity, healthy housing, and decommodified land. This work includes advancing strategic campaigns that bring federal and state investments and grow the workforce necessary to support thriving, climate resilient communities in a future beyond fossil fuels. The position leads collective strategizing across diverse partners and advances the vision and expertise of communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change while working alongside key coalitions. The position is situated in APEN’s state team, reports to the Policy & Research Director, and works closely with relevant policy, organizing, and communications staff, the Resilience Hubs Manager, and statewide partners. 

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

STATE POLICY ADVOCACY & ANALYSIS

• Lead development of APEN policy positions and prepare comments and testimony related to APEN’s strategic priorities
• Design and conduct policy research and analysis to support advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels
• Manage the creation, production, and release of communications materials aimed at influencing key decisionmakers, informing APEN supporters, and achieving positive policy outcomes
• Advocate for APEN’s policy agenda to legislative and administrative bodies, elected officials, partner organizations, and represent APEN before the media and public
• Build strategic relationships by meeting with state policymakers and stakeholders
• Recommend policy positions on ally-sponsored legislation and campaigns
• Serve as a spokesperson on technical and policy issues and represent APEN at various public forums

CAMPAIGN STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & COALITION-BUILDING

• Manage APEN’s state policy campaigns aimed at building thriving, climate resilient communities in the areas where APEN organizes
• Develop state campaign plans by connecting community organizing, legislative advocacy, electoral, and communications strategy
• Understand the concerns, priorities, and needs of our membership base
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings with partners to enable collaboration and decision-making
• Mobilize and connect members and ally partners to take action to advance priority campaigns, such as testifying at public hearings, sign-on letters, etc.
• Develop and sustain strategic partnerships and work with coalitions and allied organizations to support joint campaigns needs and legislative & budget priorities

ORGANIZATION-WIDE

• Strategy and Planning: Contribute to overall organizational coordination and planning processes, including strategic planning, yearly workplan and budgeting, annual board + staff meeting, bi-weekly staff meetings and component meetings
• Organizational Culture: Contribute to the APEN culture of team-building, emotional intelligence, feminisms, and leadership development
• Basebuilding and Member Engagement: Support organizing events with APEN members
• Fund Development: Engage in grassroots and/or foundation fundraising
• Communications: Act as a spokesperson and engage with communications narrative framework
• Cross Component Support: Support various areas of organizational work, events, or campaigns as identified and participate in organizational committees and teams as needed
• Supervision: Manage volunteers, fellows, and interns as needed

Qualifications

• Successful track record of at least 5-7 years in policy, legislative, campaign, and/or organizing experience
• Embodies self-confidence and the capacity to proactively create and independently move forward a complex agenda
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to facilitate understanding across multiple audiences, including technical experts and policymakers
• Commitment towards supporting member engagement in shaping priorities and policy agenda
• Working knowledge of environmental justice, climate, clean energy, and housing policy
• Familiarity with organized labor and the political landscape in California
• Ability to manage details, meet deadlines, and produce high-quality materials

Salary and Benefits

Competitive salary range of $82,000-$92,000, commensurate with experience. APEN offers a generous benefits package that includes the following:

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage for employee, spouse, and/or dependents
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Fully paid 2 week winter holiday
• 401k with 5% employer match
• Professional development funds
• Commuter benefits
• 3-month paid Sabbatical opportunity
• APEN is also a family-friendly employer

Accessibility and Working Conditions

This position will require applicants to work on a computer daily for long periods of time, and collaborate with colleagues and coalition partners through Zoom, email, and other digital platforms. APEN will provide a computer and other equipment needed to fulfill basic job responsibilities.

This position will be a hybrid (remote/in-person) position. Candidates will need to be able to work in-person at one of our offices located in Oakland, Richmond, or Wilmington. This position will follow APEN’s COVID safety policies and protocols regarding in-person work. Masks are required to be worn in APEN offices and indoor events, with the exception of eating and drinking. All employees also are required to be vaccinated as part of our safety policy or be subject to weekly testing.

APEN will continue to closely monitor local and state health officials guidance around COVID and any additional guidelines around safety for people to return to offices and gather in-person as needed.

This position may occasionally require work during irregular hours including on nights or weekends, and will require intermittent travel within California.

This position will not require carrying or moving heavy equipment, regularly ascending or descending a ladder, or standing or sitting for long periods of time. This position will not require working in hazardous or unusual conditions such as outdoors in inclement weather.

We provide reasonable accommodations for the application, interview, or any other aspect of the internship selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please email [email protected] to request an accommodation.

Application Process

Applications are due Monday July 3rd COB and can be sent electronically to Amee Raval: [email protected]. Please use “Senior Policy & Campaign Manager” in the subject line. The email must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and qualifications

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

APEN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, caste, or any other characteristic protected by law. APEN conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Queer, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, disabled, black and indigenous people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Asian Pacific Environmental Network