ABOUT SYRCL 
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL – pronounced circle) was founded in 1983 by grassroots activists determined to protect the South Yuba River from dams. Ultimately, SYRCL won permanent protections for 39 miles of the South Yuba River under California’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Today, SYRCL is the central hub of community activism to protect, restore, and celebrate the Yuba River watershed. With 38 years of achievements, 3,500 members and volunteers, SYRCL is doing great things for the Yuba watershed. SYRCL is a leader in the Sierra headwaters for addressing statewide and regional issues – challenging new dams, recovering endangered species, addressing climate change and drought, water security and water quality. Together, we are extending our powerful coalition from the summit to the sea.

POSITION SUMMARY
People Can Save a River is SYRCL’s guiding principle. Since our founding, SYRCL has defended the Yuba River time and time again. Today, the core of SYRCL’s advocacy work is focused on addressing and tracking threats such as the proposed Centennial Dam on the nearby Bear River, advocating for wild salmon, negotiating for improved flows and other environmental outcomes in hydropower dam relicensing forums, leading our Growing Green for the Yuba campaign, and remaining vigilant and prepared for unexpected threats to the watershed.

We are seeking an effective Policy Manager/Director who is a trained advocate with excellent leadership, communication, community organizing and coalition-building skills. A successful candidate will be highly skilled using policy, advocacy, legal, scientific, and communication tools to protect the watershed.

Additionally, experience managing successful grassroots campaigns, building strategic coalitions, collaborating closely with program staff across all departments, and raising funds is desired. We are dedicated to hiring the right candidate for the position and thus are open to manager or director-level experience; thus, the title options depend on experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will help set and advance SYRCL’s advocacy priorities including:

• Manage the Yuba Salmon Now campaign to restore wild salmon and steelhead in jeopardy of extinction; develop and implement effective science-based strategies (developed in collaboration with our watershed scientists) and messages to promote large-scale salmon habitat restoration projects, including fish passage at dams. Advance the vision and opportunities for restoration projects on the lower Yuba River with River Science staff, governmental and agency leaders and other stakeholders.
• Engage as SYRCL’s representatives in the NGO-coalition-led Clean Water Act Section 401 lawsuits on the Yuba-Bear and Yuba River Development Hydropower lawsuits.
• Work to secure improved stream-flow and habitat through the process of relicensing hydropower dams in the Yuba and Bear River watersheds, especially in the fledging relicensing of Narrows 1 Project below Englebright Dam.
• Manage SYRCL’s leadership role in the Stop Centennial Dam campaign (www.damwatchdog.org) in partnership with Foothills Water Network, using a variety of tactics including creative media and social media campaigns, coalition building and grassroots advocacy as well as engaging in all relevant regulatory and legal arenas.
• Track and engage with other direct-action campaigns as needed to protect the Yuba River from inappropriate developments, industrial mining and agriculture, clear-cutting, dam building, etc. through community education, engagement and mobilization. One current example is the proposed re-opening of the Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine in Grass Valley, CA.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key individuals and organizations including: elected officials, policymakers, agency staff and resource managers at the federal, state and local level, agencies, commissions, legislatures and other organizations as well as reporters and editorial boards; represent SYRCL strategically in public policy, planning, and collaborative processes and forums that impact the watershed.
• Initiate and participate in fundraising, including drafting proposals and reports, identifying and cultivating potential donors, and ensuring grant obligations are met.
• Manage the Growing Green for the Yuba program to promote and inspire community members to engage in sustainable and ecologically sound cannabis cultivation in the watershed by conducting extensive outreach, partnering with local stakeholders such as the local cannabis alliance on educational events and engaging in policy in local cannabis regulations when it impacts environmental protections for the watershed.
• Draft and file comment letters in relevant regulatory processes, such as hydropower relicensing, environmental review of local infrastructure projects, and Endangered Species Act consultation and compliance in the watershed.
• Track dam safety and other relevant issues in the regional hydropower projects as they are published in FERC dockets, especially the Secondary Spillway Project at New Bullards Bare Reservoir as part of the Yuba River Development Project.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in law, environmental policy, or related field a plus.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in water and/or environmental policy and advocacy, hydropower licensing, or a related discipline. Experience in water law a plus.
• Effective leader with vision and excellent judgment that combines political savvy and strategic acumen with analytical, communications, and messaging skills.
• Demonstrated experience running grassroots environmental campaigns and mobilizing volunteers.
• Ability to build consensus, develop effective coalitions and collaborate with diverse interests.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective advocacy strategies, solve problems, raise funds, and manage internal budgets.
• Strong research, writing, negotiation, media and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state level politics relevant to water and river management.
• Understanding of natural resource policy and management issues relevant to the conservation of salmon and steelhead and their habitats; advocacy experience in legislative and administrative forums a plus.
• A sense of humor, outstanding written and public speaking skills, strong organization skills, and the ability to work independently.
• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation is required. Previous experience with an environmental or non-profit organization a plus.

SYRCL is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.  Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.