Policy Director- San Francisco/Modesto/Sacramento 

Anticipated Start Date: February 1, 2026 

Experience Level: At least 5-10 years of experience participating in policy efforts across California, at the local, state, and federal level 

Job Type: Exempt, full time with benefits   

To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to JOBS@suscon.org and include “Policy Director” in the subject line.  

 Sustainable Conservation (a leading non-profit in its field) advances the collaborative stewardship of California’s land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. Every day, we bring together businesses, landowners, scientists, community representatives, and government in some of the most productive yet economically disadvantaged parts of California, to steward the resources on which we all depend in ways that are just and make economic sense. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work.   

Sustainable Conservation builds uncommon partnerships between agriculture, business, conservationists, communities and public agencies to deliver practical, science-based solutions that support accelerated restoration of California’s rivers, wetlands and estuaries; a clean, reliable water supply; healthy soil; and resilient landscapes.  The organization listens to all perspectives, builds trusted partnerships and co-creates solutions that are just and sustainable for the environment, economy, and people.  Sustainable Conservation’s policy work is informed by its on-the-ground experience and partnerships.  Current initiatives include addressing the lack of clean drinking water for over one million Californians, advancing groundwater recharge, reducing on-farm pollution, promoting soil health, and reimagining waste through nutrient reuse.  Our vision is a climate-resilient California with healthy water ecosystems, reduced flood risk, and agricultural practices that sustain natural resources while feeding the state and nation.  Guided by values of collaboration, respect, honesty, learning, well-being, and results, Sustainable Conservation works persistently to deliver systemic, lasting benefits for California’s environment and people. 

 POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Policy Director, in collaboration with program directors, leads Sustainable Conservation’s efforts whenever successful achievement of the organization’s goals would benefit from the creation or change of rules, regulations, or statutory law, or a substantive change in the interpretation of a public agency’s role or mission, or when policy negotiation, advising, or cooperation is required between Sustainable Conservation and private sector, NGO, and/or public agency stakeholders. The Policy Director tracks what is happening in Sacramento and across the state and thinks strategically about how to best position Sustainable Conservation’s  programs  to influence aspects of state policy relevant to work in achieving the organization’s  goals (learn more about Sustainable Conservation’s programs here).  As Sustainable Conservation embraces the essential role of equity in environmental policy, the Policy Director will play an influential role in leading the integration of equity into all of Sustainable Conservation’s policy work.   

More specifically, the Policy Director will be representing Sustainable Conservation’s interests in the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, CV-SALTS, Irrigated Lands Regulatory Programs and the Dairy General Order among other policies, and actively communicating with a variety of state and regional agencies including the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Food & Agriculture.  

The Policy Director also provides advice and recommendations on policy positions and actions to the Chief Executive Officer, program staff, and the Board, and helps ensure that policy positions advocated by the organization with all government agencies, legislative bodies, and stakeholders are consistent with the positions approved by the organization. 

Location: This position can be based at our San Francisco or Sacramento office but will collaborate with our Modesto team as well. Preference will be given to candidates based in or around the Sacramento region. Our teams work in a hybrid work environment with an option to work remotely a few days a week. Periodic travel throughout the state will be required.  

Primary Responsibilities   

• Provide guidance, leadership and support to program leadership on policy and strategy issues at the federal, state, and local levels  
• Responsible for leading legislative initiatives and select administrative policy initiatives, all in close coordination with Program leads 
• Serve as an advocate and policy spokesperson for Sustainable Conservation positions to policymakers and constituency group leaders in  collaboration with the different organizational programs 
• Provide governmental policy, political and social equity perspectives to the deliberations and actions of all of Sustainable Conservation’s programs 
• Work across individual programs to articulate, develop, and implement the organization’s overarching policy goals  
• Actively participate in leadership and program team meetings, and lead the generation and articulation of overarching policy positions at Board meetings  
• Develop and guide the relationships needed with members and staff of the California Legislature, regulatory agencies, community-based organizations and other stakeholder groups, and NGOs to support policy changes that address the needs of Sustainable Conservation’s programs  

Experience and Skills Required   

• At least 5-10 years of experience participating in policy efforts across California, at the local, state, and federal level. 
• Highly collaborative - ability to work proactively and collaboratively with Sustainable Conservation teams to develop policy goals and associated implementation strategies 
• Ability to inspire, be pragmatic, diplomatic, resourceful, strategic and demonstrate a strong commitment to practical policy solutions and the mission and vision of Sustainable Conservation 
• Deep understanding of the complex public policy issues at the state and regional level across California 
• Aptitude to strategically partner with stakeholders from multiple interest areas to find common ground and achieve collaborative goals 
• Knowledge of the California Legislative and Budget process 
• Knowledge of natural resource agencies’ policies and processes 
• Familiarity with statutes, regulations, and subject matter knowledge of California water supply, water quality, land use and sustainable agriculture issues 
• Curiosity and ability to learn new issue areas efficiently 
• Strong organization and time management skills, including demonstrated ability to plan and move forward multiple initiatives with multiple teams to meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrate Sustainable Conservation’s core values (Collaboration, Respect, Well-Being, Learning, Honesty and Results) 
• Commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Valid CA Driver’s License and a willingness to travel to frequently to Sacramento, Central /San Joaquin Valley and other bay area locations as needed, occasional overnight travel within CA may be required 

Compensation: The compensation for this position will be in the range of $135,368 - $144,600 annually. Please note that the exact offered pay will be determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.   

What we offer: A competitive compensation package based on experience, fully paid health insurance benefits, generous match on 401k, FSA, EAP, vacation, floating days, sick leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as holiday leave. Our greatest benefit is our culture. Our staff is collaborative, dedicated, and caring. We believe in articulating and practicing our values (Collaboration, Respect, Results, Honesty, Learning, Well-Being) at work and have a strong commitment to bringing a DEI lens to our work and workplace culture. We encourage, prioritize and support professional development and career growth within the organization and pride ourselves in working with our team members to advance their careers in line with the organizational mission.  

At Sustainable Conservation we value culture and diversity and as an equal opportunity employer we encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings.