Legislative Director – APPLICATIONS PAUSED

We’re a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organization with deep roots dating back to 1968. Our work is grounded in fostering equitable, forward-thinking solutions to the environmental challenges facing us today – and tomorrow. We envision a future where every Oregonian enjoys equitable access to the healthy air, water, climate and community needed to thrive. To realize this vision, we’ve cultivated a team of tireless champions to support policies and practices centered in environmental protection and justice. We build coalitions, celebrate successes, launch impactful campaigns and have fun along the way. OEC seeks diverse perspectives and partnerships, and welcomes and includes all races, ethnicities, affiliations, identities, and experiences. Learn more about OEC’s vision for justice . We encourage candidates with diverse lived experiences to apply.Position Summary:Oregon Environmental Council is seeking a Legislative Director to lead our efforts to secure and defend public policies that align with our mission. The Legislative Director works to advocate for OEC’s policy agenda and increase our presence and effectiveness within the Oregon Legislature, administrative agencies, and executive branch, and occasionally works with Oregon’s congressional delegation and local elected officials. The role represents OEC full-time in Salem during legislative sessions and interim committee days, coordinating and providing strategic guidance on the work of our program directors on specific legislation. Between sessions, the Legislative Director cultivates relationships with bipartisan legislators and candidates; designs and delivers legislative briefings around Oregon; and works with our program staff to promote OEC’s policy agenda through other venues. This position requires travel throughout Oregon. This role works under the supervision of the Executive Director and coordinates closely with the Director of Programs, but with a high level of autonomy.Ideal Candidate:You are politically savvy and are gifted at building relationships. You are a good storyteller who can quickly learn essential information and communicate in a compelling way. You have high integrity and are a credible source of information. You are able to manage multiple campaigns and have excellent follow through. You have a passion for making change and are able to work in coalition with both like-minded and unlikely allies.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Legislative Advocacy (~35%)Serves as OEC’s primary voice in the Oregon Legislature. This includes, tracking relevant legislation, coordinating testimony and other advocacy work, negotiating, providing rapid response information to decision-makers, and presenting testimonyOn an as-needed basis, supports other major policy campaigns which may involve advocating before regulatory and administrative agencies or before local or federal decision-makersKeeps OEC program staff, Director of Programs, Executive Director and Communications Director regularly informed of legislative issues and engages them at useful and necessary pointsServes on statewide task forcesRelationship Building (~35%)Builds strong relationships with legislators and candidates of all parties from across Oregon and, t o a lesser extent, with local and federal politiciansBuilds strong professional relationships with key individuals in Oregon’s executive branch to move OEC’s agenda forwardDevelops and maintains collaborative relationships with key interest groups and individuals, building broad support for OEC program goals and objectives and leveraging our strengths to support partner organizations’ workPolicy Analysis and Campaign Planning and Execution (~20%)Coordinates staff work to develop and finalize our legislative agendaDevelops and leads legislative strategic approach for securing OEC’s prioritiesAssists in analyzing, investigating, and refining potential legislative proposals, with an equity and inclusion lensReviews proposed ballot measure endorsements for relevancy to OEC’s mission and makes recommendations; supports ballot measure campaigns, as neededEngages OEC’s board for strategy, guidance, and advocacyOther Responsibilities (~10%)Works with OEC staff to produce testimony, fact sheets, press releases, opinion pieces, and other documents as necessaryLeads and develops trainings and shares tips on effective advocacy for OEC staff, emerging leaders board, and partnersSupports OEC fundraising activities as requested, e.g., by presenting progress reports and meeting with potential donorsActively works to strengthen OEC’s public presence and visibility, both independently and in coordination with other staff membersResponsible for tracking compliance with state and local lobbying disclosure requirementsOther responsibilities as neededQualifications:Required Experience, Education and CertificationsMinimum four years of professional experience in lobbying, advocacy, and/or legislative workDemonstrated experience incorporating the perspectives of communities of color in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making processValid driver’s licenseRequired Skills, Abilities and QualitiesProven ability to build broad-based support among elected officials and key stakeholders for proactive policy changesExcellent interpersonal skills; an eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment; positive, flexible attitudeExcellent communications (verbal and written)Proven ability to work cooperatively with diverse organizations and constituentsAble to maintain a general level of knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issuesStrong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure; ability to manage multiple projects while keeping a “big picture” strategic viewAbility to self-motivate, take the initiative and problem solve; ability to work independentlyDetail-oriented with high standards for accuracyAn understanding of the impacts of institutional and structural racism and biasDemonstrated commitment to expanding cultural awareness and advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization and as part of programmatic work; a commitment to continued learning and working against institutional and structural racismWillingness and ability to work long hours during legislative sessionsDesirable Additional QualificationsExisting relationships with Oregon legislators and policy stakeholdersExperience working in a non-profit setting with a mission-driven staff and boardPrior experience with environmental and/or environmental justice policy issuesExperience working with the mediaExperience with advocacy campaign strategyRelevant advanced degreeOther Details:Travel: This position requires a daily presence in Salem during the legislative session, and requires occasional statewide travel including overnight or multiple days. An OEC vehicle is currently available for Legislative Director travel during session. OEC encourages travel by sustainable modes, e.g., walking, bicycling, taking transit, carpooling, but some trips may require driving. This position therefore requires a valid driver’s license.Work Schedule: This role requires the ability to be flexible about one’s schedule and work hours, including frequent evening and weekend hours and daily travel during legislative sessions. When the legislature is not meeting, OEC’s standard hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00. This role may require excess hours in order to achieve deliverables, especially during legislative session.Physical: This job operates in a professional open-floor office environment with a moderate level of noise associated with personal conversations and office machinery. The employee must be able to see, hear and talk and have the physical ability to move around, lift light objects, and use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.Salary and Employment Benefits:The full salary range for this position is currently $76,500 – $107,000 per year. Starting salaries are usually in the first half of the full range. Starting salary offers are made based on an assessment of the candidate’s skills, experience, and abilities in relation to the job description, and also in relation to peer roles in the organization.OEC endeavors to increase all staff wages annually to account for cost of living as well as to recognize and honor experience gained over time. We review and adjust the organizational pay scale every 2-3 years. Employees can expect to move up in the range for their position’s pay grade as they gain more experience in their roles.OEC offers a collaborative, team-oriented, flexible, family-friendly workplace. Excellent benefits include:Generous paid leave, including 4 weeks of vacation (3 in first year), Fridays off in August, 11 fixed holidays, 4 personal days, and 12 sick days annually401k contribution (up to 6% after the first year)Employer-paid medical and dental coverage for employee, with significant employer support for dependents’ coverageAt OEC, you will learn a lot, laugh a lot, and feel great about helping Oregon communities become better, healthier places to live.Job Posting Summary:Title:Legislative DirectorStatus:RegularFLSA Classification:ExemptHours:Reports to:Executive DirectorLocation:Portland, ORWork TypeHybrid (at least 2 days a week in our Portland, OR office)Supervisory Responsibilities:NoneOpening Date:Currently PausedClosing Date:Currently PausedFull Salary Range:As of 2025-06Minimum Starting Salary: $76,500-$91,750Current Full Salary Range: $ 76,500 – $107,000ADA Accommodations:If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please email or call 503-222-1963 x100 for assistance .Oregon Environmental Council provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender assignment, gender identity or expression, national origin, (dis)ability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training .No Replies to "Currently Paused - Legislative Director"Mailing:P.O. Box 14822Portland, OR 97293Physical:1500 NE Irving StSuite 430Portland, OR 97232Phone: 503-222-1963Oregon Environmental Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with tax ID:93-0578714Keep up on the latest efforts to protect Oregon's water, air and land.SIGN UP FOR OEC UPDATES #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17