Sierra Nevada Alliance
Regional Climate Change
Program Director
Job Announcement
June 2011
Title: Program Director
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Position Summary: The Sierra Nevada Alliance Regional Climate Change Program Director provides
experienced leadership and strategic planning to train and support grassroots efforts to shape smart growth and
develop model sustainable regional resource plans in the Sierra Nevada and to advocate for state policies
benefitting Sierra sustainability efforts.
Sierra Nevada Alliance: Since 1993, the Sierra Nevada Alliance has protected and restored Sierra lands,
water, wildlife and rural communities. The Alliance does this by building the capacity and supporting the efforts
of over 85 conservation member groups and by uniting groups together on regional campaigns. Visit
www.sierranevadaalliance.org for more information.
Regional Climate Change Program: The Sierra Nevada is one of the fastest growing areas of California
and sprawling development is threatening old growth forests, critical habitat and important watershed lands. In
addition, climate change is affecting wildlife survival and migration, snow-pack, water management and the
frequency and severity of fires. To address these challenges, the Sierra Nevada Alliance created the Regional
Climate Change Program to protect Sierra lands, water, wildlife and rural quality of life by shaping county and
regional resource plans that promote smart land use and water management, reduce greenhouse gases and adapt
to climate change. The Program builds the capacity of grassroots organizations to win strong conservation
policies at the county and regional level and advocates for sound statewide and national policies and resources to
support smart growth, wise climate and water management, and sustainability efforts in the Sierra.
Program Director Responsibilities and Activities
 Develop and implement strategic and creative local and region-wide program and campaign plans.
 Recruit, train and manage program staff.
 Establish and maintain consistent lines of communication and working relationships with a network of
grassroots groups and leaders focused on land use and sustainable resource planning.
 Train, coach and support staff and grassroots leaders to:
o conduct media outreach, including writing news releases, organizing news conferences, submitting
letters to the editor, and writing opinion editorials,
o organize phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, petitioning and other outreach to educate and
mobilize grassroots support, and
o build the number of supporters and partnerships with community leaders, government officials,
donors and volunteer leadership to accomplish organizing objectives.
 Provide consultation, advice, and hands-on support to priority campaigns and projects.
 Stay abreast of land use, water, climate change, and natural resource processes throughout the Sierra and
California.
 Advocate for cutting-edge policies and collaborations to benefit the Sierra.
 Organize workshops, events and other forums as needed.
 Fundraise, including researching and writing grants, developing and maintaining foundation
relationships and participating in fundraising events.
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Produce regular communications for the program.
Work with Executive Director to prepare program budgets and work plans, identify program needs, and
draft reports on program progress.
Work with Campaigns Director Consultant to shape winning local campaigns.
Research Sierra land use, water, climate change and other natural resource issues and produce reports
and program materials.
Represent the Alliance in local, regional, state and national public forums.
Facilitate a Program Advisory Committee’s involvement in the program.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
 5+ years’ experience as a program director, or in a comparable position, that included: planning and
managing a local, state or national campaign; managing staff; developing winning campaign strategies;
organizing community or field support; lobbying/advocacy; gaining media coverage; fundraising;
coalition building; mobilizing and demonstrating public support; organizing events and facilitating
meetings; recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers.
 Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders, including local conservation leaders, statewide advocates,
local government staff, and elected officials.
 Ability to guide effective collaborative processes.
 An understanding of past and current major conservation political issues at the state and national level.
 Minimum 3 years’ staff supervisory experience in mentoring, training and coaching staff.
 Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental policy, land use planning, or related fields.
 Knowledge of land use planning.
 Knowledge of water and other natural resource issues.
 Knowledge of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
 Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.
 Excellent writing and editing skills and experience developing program materials.
 Professional, organized approach to work. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities, lay out
work tasks, identify resources to complete projects, leverage human and financial resources, focus
his/her own work, complete tasks on time, on budget and of a high quality.
 Independent, highly motivated, able to work under pressure and with limited supervision.
 Flexibility in taking on new challenges.
 Positive attitude, personal integrity, and sense of humor.
 Strong interpersonal communication, public speaking, and telephone skills.
 Proficient in use of personal computer and the internet, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
 Ability to travel throughout the region via automobile up to 20% of time each month. Must have a valid
State Driver’s license.
 Ability to do occasional lifting (office supplies, etc.) of 25 pounds.
 Computer use including keyboard entry and manipulating a mouse up to 8 hours per day.
This position reports to the Executive Director.
Compensation: Full-time exempt position with an annual salary range of $45,000-$60,000. Health insurance
and dental insurance provided. Annual accrual of 80 hours of vacation in the first year, 12 days of sick leave
per year and 15 paid holidays.
To Apply: Please submit a resume, two page cover-letter indicating your strongest qualifications and interest in
the position, three references and salary history. Email these to joan@sierranevadaalliance.org. If you have
questions, please call the Executive Director, Joan Clayburgh, at 530-542-4546 x 307. Applications will be
accepted until the position is filled.