Policy Associate

What We Can Achieve Together

The Policy Associate plays a key role in supporting advocacy, public policy, communications and government relations to further The Nature Conservancy’s mission in Oregon. The Policy Associate provides direct policy analysis and research, executes stakeholder engagement strategies, develops policy communications products and deliverables, serves as liaison between the Oregon Government Relations Team and the Strategic Communications and Marketing Team and represents the organization with internal and external parties. The Policy Associate tracks public policies and decisions that directly affect conservation goals, builds and facilitates internal networks, and coordinates meetings, agendas and presentations. This key Government Relations Team member assists in influencing the outcome of policy and strategic communications initiatives in Oregon at the state and federal levels. This hybrid position can be based in TNC's Portland, OR headquarters, or in a location that allows for frequent travel to Salem for legislative session and to Portland for organizational and team meetings.

We’re Looking for You

Our dynamic Government Relations Team is seeking a colleague who is inspired by the potential of policy and advocacy to affect change and advance our conservation goals. Working in a nonpartisan manner, we engage in some of the most critical issues of our time at the state and federal level and apply our organization’s vast science and conservation expertise toward enacting good policy outcomes. We are eager to fill this key role with someone who is a critical thinker, relationship builder, attentive to detail, and able to meet tight deadlines and maintain confidentiality while bringing their creativity, energy and optimism to the position. Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is a passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

Responsibilities and Scope

• Conducts federal policy analysis and monitors congressional, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant federal policy issues.

• Actively participates in state legislative and administrative processes; attends committee hearings, lobby visits, budget hearings, floor sessions, commission meetings, and other meetings relevant to TNC conservation priorities and in support of advocacy goals and objectives.

• Monitors legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant state and federal policy issues; provides research, policy analysis and recommendations on state public policy issues, policy options, agency budgets, and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, rulemaking efforts, and changes in agency policies.

• Develops policy communications assets to support the Oregon Business Unit’s and Western Division’s policy advocacy and strategic communications needs, including talking points, testimony, one-pagers, letters to the editor and social media posts.

• Attends and takes notes at committee hearings, lobbying visits, floor sessions, agency commission meetings, and other relevant venues in support of TNC conservation priorities.

• Works with Marketing and Communications and Government Relations teams to produce state and federal p olicy briefs to help educate elected officials, partner organizations, board of trustees members, and the general public.

• Assures compliance with all state and federal lobbying laws and regulations, including reporting and tracking state lobbying activities.

• Some overnight out of state travel for trainings and Washington, D.C. fly-ins, frequent travel to Salem, OR during state legislative session, and occasional travel for organizational retreats. Overnight/out of state travel up to 10% of time.

• Hybrid work arrangement with an expectation to work onsite at the Portland office at least once every two weeks.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience with policy, advocacy, or strategic communications.

• Experience communicating with government officials and/or agency staff, partners and stakeholders, or organizational leaders.

• Experience researching information from varied sources and compiling it into communications materials, memos, and issue briefs.

• Experience in verbal and written communications, with strong analytical, writing and critical thinking skills.

• Experience cultivating and sustaining relationships and working effectively with a wide variety of teams.

• Fluency in English.

Desired Qualifications

• Self-starting, independent worker with experience coordinating complex projects in a fast-paced, decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.

• Experience with legislative, policy or strategic communications initiatives at two or more of the following levels: local, regional, state or federal.

• Experience working with lobbyists and policy professionals in the nonprofit, conservation, environmental, or sustainability sectors.

• Experience building networks or organizational capacity, facilitating informational sessions, increasing internal knowledge and capacity, and identifying key stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page . Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $75,650–$83,385 . This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to View email address on workus.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.