Summary:

Founded in 1971, Save Mount Diablo (SMD), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, with its headquarters in Walnut Creek, California, is a nationally accredited land trust that works to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and its sustaining Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources.

Save Mount Diablo is looking to hire a Land Use Advocate to deepen and expand our advocacy efforts furthering SMD’s land conservation mission for Mount Diablo and its entire Diablo Range. This mountain range is over 200 miles long, runs through 12 counties, and contains over 4 million acres, which are largely intact open space areas, of which only about 27 percent is currently protected. The Diablo Range is a critical wildlife habitat corridor, with species like California condors, tule elk, golden eagles, and numerous endemic plants. Over 10 million people live around the Diablo Range. Thus, the range provides California with one of its best opportunities to meet its 30x30 goals and help more people connect with nature. The mountain range is facing numerous threats (residential development proposals, energy exploration efforts, reservoir projects, etc.), but there are also opportunities (growing conservation partnerships for the range, introducing SMD to and engaging with decision makers in the central and southern Diablo Range, growing public awareness of the range, etc.) that an energetic Land Use Advocate will help SMD benefit from.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Land Advocacy Director and works in close association with our other Land Use Advocate. 

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Agency agenda and CEQA Net tracking, project research and review, and analysis.
• Representing SMD at community and government agency meetings; making persuasive public comments and presentations.
• Responding to land use projects in the 12-county Diablo Range, including ballot measures, a national monument campaign, reservoir projects, alternative energy projects, etc., with an emphasis on the southernmost six counties (San Benito, Monterey, Fresno, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Kern) of the range.
• Assisting SMD in monitoring and updating its rolling three-year Strategic Plan.
• Working on non-candidate political campaigns implementing campaign activities as directed, coordinating volunteers, building grassroots support, etc.
• Traveling to advocacy and decision-making body meetings; requires use of a vehicle.
• Land use project research, analysis, review, and interpretation, and developing or supporting strategy, land campaigns, and other responses to development proposals, including document and report creation, EIR comment letters, and legislative digests.
• Developing and implementing elected official, planning agency and public outreach, and landowner education programs, including constituent hikes and site visits.
• Representing SMD on coalition efforts, identifying and helping develop new organizational relationships.
• Writing land use and advocacy-oriented communication materials, including blog posts, email alerts, flyers, and other digital and print deliverables.
• Preparing and directing development of photo, map, and other graphic materials for land use reports and presentations.
• Honoring SMD’s organizational values (Respect for the Land and Stewardship of It for Future Generations—Advocacy, Activism, and Empowering Individuals—Collaboration—Pragmatism—Integrity—Equity—Gratitude, Kindness, and Respect—Science and Research).
• Staffing and supporting important SMD committees like the Land Committee.
• Supporting preparation for land use events.
• Assisting with departmental administration, scheduling, and internal reporting.
• Managing volunteers and interns active on particular land use projects. Responsibilities include documenting contact information and interests, notifying volunteers about tasks to complete, reviewing and intake of work products, and scheduling of potential activities.
• Assisting with other organizational priorities and efforts as called upon.

 The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:

• A minimum of 2-4 years of experience in environmental policy and/or community advocacy
• Familiarity with laws related to land use planning, including knowledge of CEQA, ESA, and other regulations
• Strong written, verbal communication/public speaking, organizational, and document review skills
• Environmental and public policy, grassroots advocacy experience
• Familiarity and experience using Microsoft Office Suite and Google Earth
• Ability to be accurate and detailed in accomplishing daily tasks
• Ability to multitask in fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to respectfully work with staff, volunteers, interns, partners, and others
• Ability to work independently
• Sincere and demonstrable passion for nature and conservation

Education and/or experience:

• At least a bachelor’s degree, but more advanced applicable degree preferred

Essential requirements:

• Ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion
• Daily access to a motor vehicle
• Possess a valid California driver’s license, current auto insurance, and a clean driving record

Physical demands:

The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee must be able to travel to external meetings and provide occasional physical setup and breakdown of meetings/events. Employee must also be able to hike, occasionally in steep and/or rugged terrain and in inclement weather.

Salary: Starting salary range of $65,000 to $75,000, dependent upon experience

Benefits include: Health, dental, vision, 403(b) retirement plan