Food & Water Watch is looking for a bold leader, a team player, and passionate advocate who will work with us to build Food & Water Watch and spearhead our work in the California so we can effectively take on the most challenging issues of our time. For almost two decades, Food & Water Watch has been on the leading edge of campaigns across the state for clean water, safe food, and a livable climate. We have worked to ban fracking in communities across the state and supported front line efforts to ban neighborhood drilling and halt fossil fuel infrastructure. We have taken on water privatizers and bottling companies and won, highlighted impacts of factory farms, and exposed corporate abuse of our state’s water. As we face the climate crisis and historic drought, we are looking for a strategic leader who can elevate our campaigns, build the organization, and strengthen our coalition engagement. 

The California Director will work to build the organization’s reputation and membership base, as well as overseeing the organizing campaigns in California and managing a broad range of responsibilities, requiring an equally wide range of skills. Among the tasks to be performed are: (1) building Food & Water Watch’s advocacy efforts to support federal action on climate change, protecting our water resources, and banning factory farms; (2) overseeing strategic direction of many of Food & Water Watch’s local and state  campaigns in California (3) managing the  California organizers (4) working in close collaboration with the philanthropy team to identify and cultivate major donors and foundation support in the state; (4) working closely with our legislative, research, communications, outreach and field staff to build the organization and further our campaign goals. (5) working with organizers to build out the Food & Water Volunteer Network in the state.

Office Location: While FWW has physical offices in Washington D.C., New York, NY, New Brunswick, NJ, Los Angeles, CA, and Ventura, CA, this position is approved for remote work within California. All staff are working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food & Water Watch is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science-based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants, and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, prospective new staff members are required to provide proof of vaccination or request a waiver as a condition of their offer of employment.

Food & Water Watch provides a full benefits package including health care and a generous vacation policy. Salary competitive and dependent on experience.

• Manage the California organizers.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic organizing campaign plans for the state including long- and short-term goals, strategies and tactics that elevate our issues and grow  the organization in the state .
• Develop and maintain relationships with groups and leaders working across the state and engage these groups in the larger campaign efforts at the local and state level.
• Work closely with the philanthrophy team to build the membership base and to identify and cultivate major donors and foundation contacts in California.
• Maintain familiarity with a diverse set of issues and research products, and respond to information requests from activists, coalition members, and media. Work with the Food & Water Watch research team to develop pieces related to the key campaigns in the state.
• Develop and implement key pieces of legislative, field organizing, online, and media strategies in support of this campaign, as well as educational materials such as factsheets, action alerts, website content and newsletter articles on the issue.
• Present Food & Water Watch views on climate, food and water issues to local, state, and federal elected officials in the region.
• Travel to target areas to support local and state organizations and individuals through public speaking, media appearances, strategic planning and training, and meetings with state and local governments.
• Carry out other projects, as assigned.
• Support Our Culture of Philanthropy: Demonstrate an understanding of the essential role of our members and supporters, and consistently serve as an ambassador for FWW/FWA and our work. Participate in or attend events and other activities as appropriate that are organized for our supporters and donors. Be cognizant of fundraising opportunities and share contacts and information that will help build and sustain FWW/FWA.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, the person in this position has a high degree of contact with our coalition partners and donors; a moderate degree of contact with elected officials; and a low degree of contact with vendors.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.                                                                                                         

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s Degree (BA, BS, etc.); at least 10 years experience in strategic campaign planning that includes managing organizers;  advocacy and legislative strategy development; familiarity with federal and state legislatures; consumer and environmental issues; organization building  and development experience; working with the media;. Knowledge of climate, water or food issues a plus.

Computer Skills: An individual should be able to work in a computerized environment and have adequate knowledge of word processing, email, internet and spreadsheet software; in particular in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point and proficiency with all other Microsoft Office products.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:                   

Interpersonal Skills: Maintains confidentiality; remains open to others’ ideas; exhibits willingness to try new ways of doing things.

Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification. Ability to present technical concepts to a mass audience.

Written Communication:  Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and has excellent grammar and proofreading skills; presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information. Knowledge of online activism and email listserves. Experience preparing reports and materials for grant reports and funders.

Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans; meets deadlines and adheres to specific timelines; tracks multiple processes to meet goals for timeliness. Requires excellent organizational skills.

Quality control: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and looks for ways to improve and promote quality of own work; promotes and upholds office policies and procedures.

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; handles several projects concurrently. Ability to think creatively and quickly to respond to legislative developments and to take advantage of breaking news. can-do attitude and commitment to public interest work. Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis.

Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

Judgment: Displays willingness to make timely decisions; exhibits high-level, sound, independent and accurate judgment.

Safety and security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.

Teamwork:  Demonstrated leadership capability; ability to work well with a wide variety of people and to coordinate diverse tasks; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed; provides excellent internal and external customer service.                                                                                                                                        

Diversity:  Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment. Ability to work well with a wide variety of people.                                                       

Ethics:  Treats people with respect and dignity; works with integrity and ethically upholds

FWW’s mission and values.                                                                          

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.    

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit and use his/her hands.  The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.