Description

The Advocacy and Outreach Senior Coordinator plays a critical role in advancing CNPS’s Saving What Matters Most and Landscapes for Change campaigns by building grassroots advocacy capacity, supporting chapter conservation leaders, coordinating volunteer engagement, and advancing strategic conservation initiatives across California.  

The Senior Coordinator provides leadership for the CNPS Advocacy Corps, a statewide initiative jointly managed by the Conservation and Public Affairs Departments. The position reports to the Conservation Director on advocacy training, volunteer support, and chapter engagement, and to the Senior Public Affairs Director on policy analysis, advocacy strategy, and communications.  

Working closely with staff, volunteers, chapters, and coalition partners, the Senior Coordinator helps translate CNPS conservation and organization priorities into coordinated advocacy efforts that protect California’s native plants, habitats, and biodiversity. By strengthening connections among CNPS’s chapter network, conservation partners, and CNPS strategic campaigns, the Senior Coordinator helps build the public support, volunteer leadership, and civic engagement necessary to achieve lasting conservation outcomes, including California’s 30x30 goals. 

What You'll Do
Advocacy & Policy/Environmental Analysis (30%) 

• Review proposed legislation, regulations, and policy changes relevant to CNPS conservation goals.
• Analyze changes in policies and legislation consistent with CNPS's priorities and draft content for communication to CNPS volunteers and supporters.
• This may include contributions to blog posts, social media posts, and action alerts.
• Assist with the review of environmental documents prepared under CEQA and NEPA and provide technical comments and strategic advocacy recommendations.
• Utilize prioritization frameworks to identify high-priority projects requiring CNPS engagement.  

Advocacy Corps & Volunteer Mobilization (30%) 

• Recruit, train, and support a diverse and inclusive CNPS Advocacy Corps through in-person programs, virtual engagement, and online resources.
• Partner with CNPS Integrated Campaign Specialist on digital recruitment and activation.
• Partner with staff in Conservation, Public Affairs, and Education to develop a CNPS Advocacy Corps curriculum (delivered via programming and digital platforms).
• Cultivate volunteer leaders and strengthen a statewide network of advocates ready to advance CNPS conservation priorities.
• Communicate advocacy opportunities and coordinate volunteer actions related to legislation, public policy, and public engagement initiatives.
• Support the development of policy briefs, toolkits, and other resources to support advocates. 

Strategic Campaigns & Coalition Engagement (20%) 

• Advance priorities associated with CNPS's Saving What Matters Most and Landscapes for Change campaigns and related conservation initiatives.
• Support advocacy initiatives that protect native plant biodiversity and advance California's Pathways to 30x30 goals.
• Facilitate partnerships and collaboration with conservation organizations, community groups, Tribal partners, and other allies, and represent CNPS in environmental coalitions.
• Work with CNPS chapters, volunteers, and community members to build public support for priority conservation outcomes.
• Serve as CNPS lead or project coordinator for assigned landscape-scale conservation campaigns, including national monument initiatives and habitat protection efforts. 

Chapter Support & Capacity Building (15%) 

• Provide strategic advice, technical information, and advocacy support to CNPS chapters throughout California.
• Coordinate with chapter conservation volunteers on local and regional conservation priorities and challenges.
• Participate in monthly Public Affairs collaboration calls with chapters, creating pathways for volunteers interested in advocacy.
• Convene regular meetings, trainings, and peer-learning opportunities for chapter conservation leaders. 
• Facilitate information sharing and collaboration among Chapters and volunteers.  

Training, Reporting & Program Administration (5%) 

• Maintain databases, records, and tracking systems related to advocacy activities, environmental review projects, and campaign efforts. This includes maintaining a database of CNPS's positions on legislation.
• Work with CNPS Integrated Campaign Specialist to monitor and report on volunteer engagement, advocacy actions, and campaign outcomes.
• Prepare presentations, reports, and program updates for staff, chapters, and partners.
• Support overall conservation program operations and contribute to continuous improvement of advocacy systems and resources.  

Physical Requirements  

• This role is primarily performed in an office or remote work environment and requires prolonged computer use.
• Occasional travel within California may be required, including participation in events and field trips that may involve walking on uneven terrain.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Additional Information  

• This is a full-time (40-hour week), non-exempt, hybrid position, based in Sacramento. This role requires regular participation in Sacramento-area meetings and team activities while also supporting remote work. A weekly office presence is to be expected.  
• Standard business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM.   Periodic travel within California is required. Work travel is reimbursed.    

What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months) 

• Advocacy Corps members regularly participate in CNPS advocacy campaigns.
• Chapter conservation leaders report improved access to training, resources, and strategic support.
• Priority Saving What Matters Most and Landscapes for Change campaign initiatives demonstrate measurable volunteer engagement and advocacy actions.
• Strong working relationships are established with chapters, coalition partners, agencies, and community leaders.
• Environmental review and advocacy efforts are strategically prioritized and tracked.
• Effective systems exist for volunteer engagement, campaign activation, and issue tracking. 

Requirements

Who You Are
Advocacy & Conservation Expertise 

• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in conservation advocacy, volunteer engagement, public policy, community organizing, or a related field.
• Knowledge of California biodiversity conservation, land use planning, and environmental review processes.
• Familiarity with CEQA, NEPA, conservation planning, public lands, or related policy areas. 
  Familiarity with the California legislative process.

Volunteer Engagement & Community Building 

• Experience recruiting, training, coordinating, and supporting volunteers or community members.
• Ability to build trust and relationships across diverse communities and backgrounds.
• Skilled at facilitating engagement and empowering others to take action.

Communication & Public Engagement 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, deliver training, and represent CNPS in public settings.
• Ability to develop advocacy resources, educational materials, and presentations.
• Familiarity with the principles of email automation, journeys or ladders of engagement, and conversion.  

Strategic Thinking & Project Management 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team. 
• Experience working with the Microsoft Suite of products.

Mission Alignment & Values 

• Passion for protecting California’s native plants and biodiversity.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility.
• Enthusiasm for CNPS’s mission and Saving What Matters Most and Landscapes for Change campaigns. 

Preferred Qualifications 

While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all these characteristics, the successful candidate will possess at least one – and ideally more than one – of the following:  

• Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in California.
• Experience with digital advocacy platforms, petition systems, or grassroots organizing tools.
• Experience working with coalitions or multi-organization campaigns.
• Familiarity with GIS tools or conservation mapping resources.
• Experience with membership-based or volunteer-driven organizations.
• Experience facilitating training, workshops, or community meetings.
• Knowledge of California native plants, biodiversity conservation, or public lands issues.
• A valid California driver’s license. 

*CNPS recognizes that candidates may bring experience through a variety of professional, educational, and lived experiences. If you are excited about this role and believe you can contribute to our mission, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every listed qualification. 

What You'll Get

• Compensation: A starting hourly rate between $31.51 - $33.96. Reflecting CNPS's commitment to competitive, fair, and transparent compensation, we publish the full potential starting pay ranges for new hires and do not negotiate hiring bonuses.
• Performance Based Compensation Increases: Employees may receive up to a 3.8% performance-based annual rate increase.
• Health Insurance: 100% coverage of employee premiums for health (Kaiser or Anthem), life, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with up to 6% matching contributions, available immediately upon employment.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Options for a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), and Transportation Savings Account (TSA).
• Paid Leave: 13 holidays, 12 sick/wellness days, and 10 vacation days.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of supplemental, paid parental leave, after one year of employment.
• Work-from-Home Support: CNPS-issued laptop, a $750 home office stipend, and a $60/month telework stipend.
•  Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Comprehensive support for employees and their families.  
• Professional Development: Annual budget of $500 and 32 hours for professional development opportunities.
• Team Building: Attendance at semiannual staff team-building events.
• Community: Complimentary CNPS Society membership.
• Meaningful Impact: Join a team where your work genuinely supports the planet – cape optional!