Save The Bay: Policy Associate
Save The Bay is seeking a Policy Associate to support its advocacy for a resilient and equitable Bay Area, and a healthy San Francisco Bay. In this role, the Policy Associate will engage in advocacy and conduct policy research aimed at improving regional climate resilience along the shoreline and within communities, reducing trash and other pollution in the Bay, and expanding recreational access through the completion of the Bay Trail. This position reports to the Policy Manager.
About Good Shepherd Gracenter:
Save The Bay’s mission is to protect and restore the Bay for people and wildlife. We are the only regional organization that integrates political advocacy, wetland restoration, and education to shape a healthy and resilient region. We are a team of passionate, creative, strategic and collaborative people, dedicated to the urgent work of building Bay Area resilience and hope in the face of the escalating impacts of climate change.
Over two decades, Save The Bay has become a Bay Area leader in the science and practice of habitat restoration, focused on tidal marsh transition zone habitat at landscape-scale for recovery of endangered species, and for ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. We enlist thousands of volunteers annually to restore the shoreline and educate Bay Area students to be the next generation of Bay stewards through hands-on experiential education and online learning.
Responsibilities
Conduct research to develop and advance Save The Bay’s strategy to improve flood resilience by advancing nature-based shoreline adaptation and green stormwater infrastructure policies and projects across the region.
Draft, review, and revise policy recommendations to influence and inform city and regional planning documents including general plans, climate action plans, and other local planning efforts to promote nature-based adaptation, recreational access, and equitable resilience.
Conduct outreach under general supervision to engage diverse communities, elected officials, and agency staff to advance climate and flood resilience, Bay Trail improvements, and water quality.
Provide research, coordination, and outreach to support Save The Bay’s state and federal legislative priorities.
Support efforts to address pollution risks in the Bay through enforcement of state and federal regulations to eliminate stormwater pollution, groundwater contamination, and emerging pollution risks.
Analyze and summarize agency budgets and reports and deliver public testimony.
Collaborate with Policy and Communications staff to develop social media content to support Policy priorities and improve digital engagement.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Excellent writing, research, editing, and public speaking skills.
Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and collaborative work style.
Proven ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
Computer proficiency with Windows, Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to attend occasional evening/weekend meetings and events.
Passion for Save The Bay’s mission.
Knowledge of environmental policy related to sea level rise and water quality.
1 year of relevant professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with Bay climate impacts and adaptation solutions.
Basic understanding of local and regional government agencies that work on climate resilience and water quality.
Experience working effectively with elected and agency officials, community leaders, environmental activists, and/or diverse groups of other stakeholders.
Communications/GIS
Event and project management skills.
Compensation
This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position. The starting wage for this position is $34.75 per hour and is not subject to negotiation. We provide an annual cost-of-living increase each January 1, and additional 3 percent increases at service mileposts of 3 years in the position, 5 years, 10 years and subsequent 5-year intervals. To maintain internal pay equity, we do not utilize individual merit increases.
To Apply
This position is open until filled. To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@savesfbay.org. Please make sure to include the position title –Policy Associate– in the subject line. In the body of the email, please share where you found this job listing.
Hiring Timeline (This is our ideal timeline, but may be subject to change):
The priority deadline for applications is May 4, 2026.
We will review resumes and conduct interviews in April and May, 2026.
Finalists will be invited to submit three references.
We would like to make an offer to a candidate by mid-May and have the candidate start in June, 2026.