SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION
Regulatory Research Analyst - San Francisco
Sustainable Conservation is an award-winning environmental nonprofit leading powerful collaborations with
business, agriculture and government leaders that produce lasting, win-win solutions to California’s critical
environmental problems. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work.
About Our Restoration Program:
Sustainable Conservation helps restore California’s land, waters, fish and wildlife by removing barriers to
restoration and identifying and designing new ways to compensate private landowners for their good
stewardship. In 1998 we launched the Partners in Restoration (PIR) program in collaboration with the Natural
Resource Conservation Service and local Resource Conservation Districts to simplify the complex regulatory
process for landowners who wished to undertake restoration projects on their land. Today there are 11
Partners in Restoration programs at the county or watershed level. To promote greater riparian restoration
throughout California, we’re currently focusing on developing statewide programmatic permits for riparian
and other aquatic habitat restoration projects.
About the Position:
We are seeking a Regulatory Research Analyst who has a passion for research, analysis and writing. In
addition to a general understanding of federal and state environmental policies and regulations, candidates
for this position will ideally have prior experience working with government agencies to either implement or
promote restoration, species protection and/or water quality improvement. The Research Analyst will
conduct research on existing environmental and regulatory conditions and restoration potential in different
regions throughout California. S/he will be responsible for interpreting and applying the research to help
inform and influence decisions. Qualified candidates must also be able to synthesize and communicate
complex information and make it accessible to a broad array of audiences.
As part of our Statewide Programmatic Permitting (SPP) team, the Regulatory Research Analyst reports
directly to the Associate Director of Restoration on Private Lands (ROPL) and works in close collaboration with
our Senior Research Analyst. This is a unique opportunity to substantially increase environmental restoration
projects throughout California, build expertise in related state and federal policies, and work with a highly
engaged and effective team.
Specific Responsibilities Include:
 Conducting background research and writing associated documents such as: white papers on existing
environmental policy and how policy changes could positively impact environmental conditions;
elements of regional and statewide restoration permits; strategy documents and presentations to
inform and persuade internal and external partners.
 Coordinating and communicating with partner organizations and regulatory agencies, including RCDs,
environmental groups, CDFW, USFWS, NOAA, SWRCB, USCOE and others, on permit development.
 Coordinating and participating in meetings with partners, including completing follow-up action items.
 Learning about, and staying up-to-date on policies and regulations affecting implementation of
restoration projects.
 Assisting with development of presentations and outreach materials, as needed.
 Participating in weekly strategic planning sessions as part of the Statewide Programmatic Permitting
Team.
Knowledge and Experience Required:
 General knowledge of California specific issues related to water quality, endangered species and land
use.
 General knowledge of government agency policies and regulatory/permitting processes (e.g.,
CEQA/NEPA, CDFW, NMFS, USFWS, RWQCB, CCC.
 Basic knowledge of biology, ecology, hydrology and/or restoration science.
 Experience working with government agencies to either implement or promote environmental
restoration projects or programs—or water quality improvement projects.
 Experience conducting research, providing analysis and drafting reports or permits.
 Degree in natural resource management or environmental policy; Advanced degree a plus
 2-5 years experience with a government agency, environmental nonprofit or environmental consulting
firm.
Required Skills and Traits Required:
 Excellent writing and editing skills that are adaptive to the audience, and comfortable summarizing
complex technical information
 Strong analytical skills -- able to read and understand complex regulations and rules and
interpret/apply them to a given situation (e.g. writing emails, white papers, reports, permits)
 Demonstrated ability to maintain focus, meet deadlines and produce deliverables
 Highly organized with well-developed systems and time management skills
 Collaborative, able to work well in a supportive, focused team and keep others informed and updated
 Politically sensitive and strategic in communications with external partners
 Flexible and able to adapt to changing strategies
 Proficient in MS Office applications
Location:
The position will be located in San Francisco, California, with periodic travel throughout the state.
Salary and benefits:
Sustainable Conservation offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is
commensurate with experience.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume as separate attachments in either Word or
PDF format to: Email: Jobs@suscon.org
No Phone Calls Please
Sustainable Conservation is an equal opportunity employer.