Bayou City Waterkeeper seeks Policy and Partnerships Manager

Bayou City Waterkeeper (BCWK) is accepting applications for a Policy and Partnerships (P&P) Manager, who will manage our policy and government relations work alongside our interdisciplinary team made up of community members, organizers, scientists, lawyers, and artists, as we advocate for equitable investment in sewage, water, flooding, and climate infrastructure; advocate for nature-based infrastructure and interventions; and push back against false climate solutions, across greater Houston. Initially, this full-time position will report directly to the Executive Director. We invite you to apply by April 19.

Job Description

The P&P Manager will collaborate with our full staff, community members, and other partners to center the priorities of communities most impacted by water, climate, and infrastructure injustices in our policy work. The P&P Manager will manage ongoing and emerging local and regional strategies for water policy, be one of our in-house experts on key water policy issues, and coordinate advocacy to governmental decision-makers. The P&P Manager will have responsibility for supervising our Policy Analyst and part-time Policy Fellows. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to centering impacted communities and understand the role of community organizing in developing policy and how to effectively develop policy strategies and advocate at the local and state levels.

Our Values
Recognizing the complexities of our watershed, the challenges we face to protect our waters from
the harms of urban development and industrial activities, and the importance of being responsive
to the needs of the communities we serve, our work is guided and informed by five values:
? Interconnectivity: Collaborate across disciplines and create multiple ways to engage
? Fluidity: Embrace movement and adaptability in our work
? Bold action: Have hard conversations, disrupt dysfunctional systems, create new
frameworks, bring together unconventional allies, and move data and research into action
? Justice and equality: Call out and act to undo inequities in our watershed
? Regeneration: Embrace water as a site for healing, joy, celebration, reflection, and growth

Responsibilities
? Collaborate with community members, BCWK staff, and external consultants to develop
key policy positions and strategies that support BCWK’s mission and values and center
equity and principles of environmental and climate justice.
? Serve as one of our in-house experts on at least two key areas:
? Equitable infrastructure investment;
? Nature-based solutions to flooding, stormwater pollution, and climate change;
Nature-based solutions include both the protection of existing natural systems like
wetlands and interventions informed by nature;
? Addressing the water impacts of false solutions to fossil fuel consumption, including
liquid natural gas, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen.
? Serve as the first point of contact within the organization for elected and agency
representatives, their staff, and other relevant decision-makers, and meet with these
decision-makers to discuss policy recommendations and potential solutions.
? During the 2025 legislative session, coordinate tracking of key bills related to our policy
priorities, as well as advocacy, including generating written and verbal comments and
organizing 1-2 lobby days at the Texas state legislature if needed.
? Participate in 1-2 fly-ins with coalition partners in Washington, DC throughout the year.
? Attend at least 1-2 community meetings per quarter to build and inform our policy
strategies and root our policy efforts in community priorities.
? Research regulations, peer-reviewed science, white papers, reports, and other documents
to develop deep understanding of subject matter and inform BCWK’s policy priorities.
? Draft original policy or position papers, letters of support, and written and verbal
comments in response to administrative comment periods and other governmental actions
and to support community-driven campaigns.
? Deliver, and/or support community members and staff in delivering, verbal public
comments at agency or legislative meetings.
? Prepare fact sheets, FAQs, talking points, and speeches for the staff and community
members as needed.
? Provide strategic advice on policy to the Executive Director, staff, and community partners.
? Supervise full-time Policy Analyst and 1-2 part-time Policy Fellows.

Qualifications and Skills
Highly competitive candidates will have some combination of:***
? At least five years of policy-related experience. This may include experience conducting
policy research or relevant data analysis, advocating to governmental decision-makers, or
community organizing. Additional work experience beyond the five years of policy-related
experience is recommended, and formal or informal education or training focused on
policy or law is a plus.
? Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective policy-change strategies
centering impacted communities.
? Experience organizing and working alongside diverse communities.
? Experience with water, climate, infrastructure, and/or energy policy and familiarity with
equity, environmental justice, One Water, and/or just transition principles.

? Working knowledge of policy-making and political processes in Houston, the greater
Houston region, and the State of Texas.
? Knowledge of key focus areas including: Equitable infrastructure funding; nature-based
solutions to flooding, stormwater pollution, and climate change; or water impacts of false
solutions to fossil fuel consumption.
? Commitment to racial justice and anti-racism and BCWK’s values. Understanding of and
commitment to advancing justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
? Strong project and people management skills, including attention to detail, organizational
skills, time management, conflict resolution, priority-setting, and self-awareness.
? Experience working in a team and with external partners to develop and implement joint
strategies.
? Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

***Research shows that women and people of color are more hesitant to apply for a job because
they may not meet all of the qualifications listed. The candidate BCWK ultimately hires may not
precisely meet all of these qualifications, but show the desire and capacity to grow into the role
and fit within our small, close-knit team. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that
you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you.
Schedule/Location
We allow for flexible work schedules so our staff can be responsive to community needs and
balance work and personal responsibilities. Our standard week is 36 hours. Occasionally, more
than a regular week, including some evenings and weekends, will be necessary. Some local travel
is required. Our staff meets in person once per week, and when necessary or beneficial, staff may
be expected to meet with partners or attend other events in person (COVID permitting).
Otherwise, our work is virtual. Given the place-based, community-centered nature of this work,
staff must live within the Lower Galveston Bay watershed.
Salary & Benefits
$70,000 to $85,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Our benefits package includes:
unlimited paid leave, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and paid sabbatical leave after five years;
subsidized group healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; IRA contribution; negotiable flex hours;
and a 36-hour work week. This is a full-time, at-will, exempt position.
Application Instructions
For equal consideration, please send a resume and letter explaining your interest to
careers@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org with subject line “BCWK P&P Manager” by April 19, 2024.
The interview process will include three stages. A final decision is expected by June.