California Policy Officer

Resources Legacy Fund•Sacramento, CA

13d•$130,000 - $160,000•Remote

About The Position

Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) builds the architecture behind lasting environmental progress. From climate resilience to land and water conservation to community well-being, we help visionary ideas take shape—offering the steady support and strategic know-how to turn complex challenges into collective victories. We deliver transformative outcomes for our planet and its people through trusted partnerships and creative campaigns. Rooted in California and expanding across Western North America and beyond, we have a 25-year track record of supporting initiatives at every scale. We also host fiscally sponsored projects that reach across the globe, reinforcing the efforts of change makers worldwide. Addressing three interconnected crises — climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice — requires creativity, collaboration, and fast reflexes. With deep operational expertise and the confidence of donors and partners, we enable lasting solutions to rise. RLF’s California team manages a suite of complex, multi-year programs that advance priorities in ocean and land conservation, resilience to climate change, freshwater, renewable energy, equitable public lands access, and ecosystem health. The Policy Officer, in collaboration with the programs team, engages in statewide policy development, advocacy, coalition-building, campaigns, and capacity-building to secure durable outcomes consistent with organizational priorities. The position requires a seasoned professional to lead RLF’s government affairs, lobbying, and advocacy strategies in Sacramento and ensures RLF’s interests are effectively represented among policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates. The Policy Officer researches, analyzes and develops organizational policies to meet strategic goals and monitors California’s public policy and funding landscape to deliver high-impact outcomes for RLF priority programs. This position is full-time, exempt, and reports to the California Director. This role is remote with a home base in the greater Sacramento, CA area, and requires occasional domestic travel.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, and/or advocacy campaigns.
Excellent working knowledge of California policymaking, state budgeting, regulatory processes, and related politics
Strong working knowledge of California’s environmental, climate, and conservation landscape.
Comfortable and eager to work within complex policy, stakeholder, and political spaces.
Experience building trust-based relationships with diverse constituencies such as policymakers, government officials, Tribes/Tribal communities, non-profit partners and the private sector.
Experience engaging with diverse coalitions and effective campaigns for policy and funding outcomes.
Excellent composition, editing, and spoken communication skills. Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources into lucid, cohesive, and compelling written products.
A commitment to a work environment free from discrimination, where all team members feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
Positive attitude and a commitment to being part of and building a positive work environment.

Nice To Haves

Ability to perform responsibilities with a high degree of judgment, discretion, accuracy, and attention to detail.
Self-directed in leading new bodies of work and highly collaborative in achieving outcomes.
Extensive network of professional relationships in California’s environmental equity, climate, and conservation sectors.
Flexibility in working style, marked by an ability to work closely with a wide range of personality and organization types and teams.
Capacity to respond rapidly and appropriately to changing priorities, objectives, and situations.
Sufficient technological ability and commitment to learn and consistently use RLF’s preferred tools and adhere to confidentiality policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Serve as RLF’s lead public policy strategist and advocate in Sacramento
Research, analyze, and develop policies and campaigns to meet organizational goals
Monitor legislation, consult stakeholders, and draft analysis
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with legislators, legislative staff, governor's office, state agency leadership, and other decision makers
Monitor the legislative process, budget, and regulatory landscape
Lobby decision makers on specific policy and budget items
Assist program staff in designing and executing effective policy and public funding campaigns
Advise staff on policy strategy, assess feasibility, alignment, and strategic leverage points for their priorities
Train staff on legislative and budget processes, policy analysis, decision-making processes, advocacy, and politics
Work with partners to develop and implement policy solutions
Provide or commission needed policy analysis, and draft related collateral (public comments, bill language, etc.)
Identify opportunities for RLF to expand its impact
Convene and participate in statewide coalitions, task forces, and special initiatives
As needed, assist compliance staff with lobby tracking and other compliance issues
Hire and manage contract lobbyists and other consultants as needed
Undertake special projects as assigned.