Deadline: Open until filled.

Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx), a nonprofit environmental justice solutions organization located in The Bronx, New York, is seeking a Policy Director who will play the lead role in the development, coordination and implementation of Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx)'s Campaigns around green jobs, sustainable infrastructure and equitable development. The Policy Director will work with SSBx leadership, campaign partners and allies to formulate and implement SSBx policy objectives.

The Policy Director will be responsible for developing and implementing a range of advocacy strategies on behalf of SSBx. The Policy Director is directly involved in the management and coordination of multi-issue campaigns that involve players from multiple sectors, which include community organizations, labor, governmental officials and academia. The Policy Director will report to the Executive Director and supervise the Policy Analyst.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Program Management
Lead and manage the development, implementation and execution of annual plan for SSBx policy that accurately forecasts budget requirements and align departmental goals with the evolving SSBx strategic plan to meet overall organizational objectives; Set agendas and facilitate meetings; maintain effective communication and conduct follow-up activities with SSBx leadership, partners and funders; Prepare monthly reports to Executive Director; Prepare summaries for SSBx partners and funders; lead SSBx advocacy on selected issues as defined in consultation with the Executive Director; create campaign plans, creative tactics and events; Lead and manage the creation of a policy team, including the creation of a policy intern team; Ensure that roles and responsibilities for all team members are clear, comprehensive, and focus sharply on achieving objectives.

Policy and Advocacy research and assessment
Direct and work in collaboration with the policy analyst, to monitor, research and analyze local, regional, state and national policies that are relevant to SSBx mission and campaign goals, identifying opportunities and keeping SSBx programmatic staff informed and up-to-date on developments and by articulating SSBx position at meetings, conferences and coalitions; Develop and recommend strategies to help SSBx and its partners effectively navigate and impact local, state and federal policy; Write position papers, legislative alerts and periodic updates in consultation with other relevant SSBx staff for approval of Executive Director, and dissemination according to organization procedures; Maintain a scan of current policies related to planning issues, such as land use, energy, transportation, water, waste, education, design and manufacturing; organize and attend public hearings and meetings to advance SSBx goals.

Coalition Building
Develop consistent communication with New York organizations and other SSBx audiences engaging in related policy area; Develop grassroots plan and coordinate activities; Define and cultivate strategic intentional partnerships with labor unions, elected officials, city staff, private interests and community leaders who all share a stake in the outcomes of equity solutions; achieve agreed-upon campaign objectives and organizing strategies with pivotal stakeholders.

Capacity Building
Partner with SSBx staff to identify and create opportunities that support their advocacy efforts; Leverage training on equitable development that builds the commitment for policy goals, not limited to our monthly Community Council Towards Change meetings, and broad-based public education efforts on the importance of sustainable solutions to addressing poverty; Assess and address priority capacity needs of partners; Provide technical assistance to partner organizations on an as needed basis.

Fund Development
Working closely with SSBx's Development Director, and when necessary the Policy Analyst, guide fund development activities and grant writing that raise resources to support SSBx policy objectives. Responsible for identifying new resources to support campaign initiatives.

Other Duties:
Support SSBx efforts to engage the local press regarding our work, assist in writing press releases and in planning media strategies. Represent the organization at conferences, meetings, radio programs and other media events when necessary.

Qualifications:
Must have a minimum of 4 years advocacy experience working on social and environmental justice issues and/or land-use and planning. Direct experience working within or with government is strongly desired. Candidates must have significant sustainable systems experience and expertise and a demonstrated commitment to systems-change thinking.

Must possess strong skills and demonstrated success with campaign activities. Additionally the successful applicant must be an effective public speaker and possess excellent speaking, writing and editing skills in English. The successful candidate will also have strong organizational skills, a track record for open and effective internal and external communication and a flexible and collaborative working style. Fluency in Spanish would be an asset. The ideal candidate will have good judgment and excellent analytical and strategic thinking capabilities; the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure; the capacity to pay close attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment and juggling multiple tasks; and the ability to work effectively independently as well as part of a team made up of people from diverse backgrounds and in partnership with other organizations.

Equivalent experience to a master's degree in planning, environmental science, public health, public administration, or community development or a law degree. Strong understanding and commitment to addressing environmental and economic inequities through solutions-based approaches, and a clear understanding of race and class issues.

Understanding of the fundraising process including liaison with foundation representatives and grant writing experience. Willingness to travel throughout New York as SSBx demands evolve.

Highly motivated, enthusiastic, personable, hard-working and committed individual. May need to work weekends and perhaps some evenings.

If interested, please send your resume, a cover letter and salary history to:
Janett Florindo, Director of Operations & Administration
Sustainable South Bronx
890 Garrison Ave., 4th Fl.
Bronx, NY 10474
T. 646.400.5294
F. 718.617.5228

About SSBx:
SSBx is a cutting edge nonprofit dedicated to environmental justice solutions through innovative, economically sustainable projects informed by community needs. Founded in 2001, SSBx addresses land-use, energy, transportation, water & waste policy, design & manufacturing, and education to advance the environmental and economic rebirth of the South Bronx, and inspires solutions in areas like it across the nation and around the world.