Director, California Office

Food & Water Watch is a leading national consumer advocacy organization that runs dynamic, cutting edge campaigns challenging the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Since 2005, we have won significant victories to protect our food and water. Our work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post and other major media outlets.

We are growing quickly and seek a strategic organizer and staff manager to join our team of experienced campaigners, researchers, and lobbyists. The Director of Food & Water Watch’s California office is located in San Francisco and is responsible for providing the overall strategic vision for work in California, managing the California Office, and supervising California staff.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Manage Food & Water Watch campaigns in California and supervise staff.
2. Provide the strategic vision for campaigns in California. Develop strategic plan for the California office, in coordination with staff in Washington DC office.
3. Coordinate fundraising activities with staff in the Washington office, including helping to create the operating budget, assisting with foundation and large donor fundraising.
4. Cultivate and maintain a visible public presence for Food & Water Watch in California.
5. Supervise contract lobbyist in Sacramento and coordinate with the Washington, DC staff on lobbying of Congressional targets from California.
6. Become conversant with Food & Water Watch issues.
7. Create a communication strategy in conjunction with the Washington DC communications staff in order to respond to members and general consumer inquiries.
8. When appropriate, serve as Food & Water Watch’s press spokesperson in California, and work with the communications staff in preparing op-eds, letters to the editor, editorial board memos, and press releases.
9. Work with California staff in building coalitions with other national, state and local organizations.
10. Build a larger activist base by training other activists and interns on organizing techniques.
11. Recruit, train, and supervise staff, including volunteers.
12. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years experience as a consumer, environmental, labor, civil rights or community organizer, with a minimum of 5 years of experience managing staff.
  
• Education: College degree and organizer’s training preferred.  Equivalent experience may be substituted.
• Knowledge: Organizing, advocacy and legislative strategy techniques; familiarity with state legislatures; consumer and environmental issues; working with the media; staff management.
• Skills: Strong management and supervisory skills; excellent written and oral communications, including ability to effectively communicate with the press; familiarity with legislative and regulatory systems; proven fundraiser; lobbying; coalition building and media outreach; good interpersonal skills; knowledge of computer software programs and database management.

Compensation

Competitive salary. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes 100% employer paid medical/dental/long-term disability, 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid leave. This position is based in San Francisco, California.

How to Apply

Position open until filled. Please tell us where you saw this announcement and send cover resume, 3 references, and a short writing sample to jobs(at)fwwatch(dot)org or mail to:

Food & Water Watch
ATTN: Director, California Office
1616 P Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036

Food & Water Watch strives for a diverse work environment.