Urban Resilience Director

Los Angeles Waterkeeper was founded in 1993, and today the organization is leading the fight for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and resilient water supplies.  We envision the LA region as an international leader on integrated, sustainable, and equitable water management; a region that is water self-sufficient, and where all waterways throughout the county are safe, healthy, and accessible to the public. Visit our website to learn more. 

Position Overview:

Los Angeles Waterkeeper (LAW), a dynamic environmental nonprofit organization that fights for the health of the region’s waters and communities, is seeking a highly motivated, well-organized senior-level professional with strong project management and leadership skills to join our team as Urban Resilience Director. This position will lead LAW’s campaigns around integrated planning and green infrastructure to enhance resilience and equity throughout the region.

Candidates ​should have a background in environmental policy or planning, with a focus on urban resilience planning and climate-resilient infrastructure and have experience working with decision-makers in the Los Angeles region. This position primarily works under the Executive Director and manages a team of at least two direct reports.

Start Date – Ideally January 2025.

Responsibilities:

• The primary responsibility of Urban Resilience Director (URD) will be to lead LAW’s Infrastructure Justice Los Angeles (IJLA) campaign, overseeing a broad-based coalition and leading advocacy efforts to promote integrated multi-benefit housing, transportation, greenspace and water resiliency projects throughout LA County.
• The URD will also work with LA Waterkeeper’s Executive Director and key staff as a thought-leader and partner on LAW’s efforts to promote greening of the LA River (and other channelized and contaminated inland waterways), particularly through supporting policies and projects that provide floodplain reclamation (i.e., greenways).  
• The URD will also support LAW staff leading efforts around the Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP), the countywide $280M/year multi-benefit stormwater funding measure, particularly around the SCWP’s watershed planning that is currently underway and in areas where there is overlap between the SCWP and IJLA and LA River work to ensure integration as we seek to promote community-driven, multi-benefit nature-based projects.
• Work with LAW’s Executive Director and Government Affairs Manager to build and maintain strong relationships with key local, regional, state and federal elected and appointed officials that are critical for LAW’s resilience work. 
• Engage with interested parties (media, partners, the general public, etc.) to collaborate on LAW’s efforts to address the challenges of climate change and promote resilient water supplies in the LA region, prioritizing equity and inclusion in all planning and implementation objectives.
• Represent LAW on resilient infrastructure design and implementation working groups as needed.
• Support fundraising for LAW’s resilience work, in collaboration with the Advancement team, including supporting grant writing and grant reporting.
• Provide administrative support and leadership across the organization including:
  • Develop annual departmental budgets and workplans
  • Lead, inspire and mentor team members to work coherently as a team, leveraging expertise and resources from across the organization.
  • Supervise at least two staff, conducting annual evaluations, PTO requests, and other managerial duties.
  • Promote a culture of equity and inclusion across the organization.

Experience & Skills:

The Urban Resilience Director will be a well-organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated senior-level professional who thrives working both independently and in collaboration with others. Preferred qualifications include:

1. Bachelor's or master's degree in environmental policy, urban planning, or related field plus ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience related to nature-based infrastructure design, watershed planning and implementation.
2. A strong systems thinker who can strategically lead integrated resilience campaigns.
3. Knowledge of the Los Angeles region and political scene. Brings a positive reputation within the sector, ideally with an existing network of key elected, appointed and agency officials (or at a minimum the comfort and ability to build relationships with high level government leaders).
4. Experience building/managing broad-based campaigns that include research, power-mapping, coalition building, comms/outreach, grassroots and grass-tops organizing, direct advocacy, etc. (though specific activities may be undertaken by other LAW staff, partners or contractors).
5. Strong interpersonal skills with experience relating to diverse audiences ranging from NGO/CBO partners, tribal groups, agency staff and elected/appointed officials.
6. Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office. Experience with GIS and Adobe Suite preferred but not required.
7. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting, juggling multiple projects under tight deadlines, including displaying excellent problem-solving skills, organizational instincts, thoroughness with details, and commitment to following through with responsibilities.
8. Capable of communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and capable of dealing effectively with a variety of situations requiring tact, poise, friendliness, and sensitivity.
9. Demonstrates flexibility and positivity as new job demands arise.
10. Spanish language proficiency a plus.
11. Ability to thrive in a small nonprofit environment where teamwork, creativity, and flexibility are valued.
12. Experience working with philanthropy and managing grants.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Some evening and weekend work will be required.
• Travel within LA County and access to reliable transportation required. Some travel outside of the region may be required to such places as Sacramento, Bay Area and Washington, D.C., though this will likely be minimal.
• Able to work on a computer for up to 8 hours a day and sit at a desk for extended periods; able to read a computer screen and operate a keyboard.
• For events, meetings, and a safe office, COVID-19 vaccination is strongly requested from all staff and personnel.

Compensation

• Salary, Benefits & Terms:
  • Salary: $120,000 – 140,000 annually based on experience. This is a full-time, exempt position. This position is currently funded by a specific grant and will continue based on the availability of funding.
• Benefits:  
  • paid health, vision, and dental insurance
  • 403(b)-retirement plan with match 
  • hybrid work environment (Tue-Thu in office, M/F work-from home with some flexibility depending on workflow) 
  • generous paid time off policy
  • 13 holidays observed annually (additional days often added)
  • Winter break ~ Dec 25 – Jan 1

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a cover letter, resume, and three references. We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please apply by December 1, 2024.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.  LA Waterkeeper seeks and encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Persons with Disabilities, Women and Gender-nonconforming people especially in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented. We do not discriminate based on any class protected by law.