Government Relations Manager

Conservation Voters of South Carolina is the political voice of South Carolina's environmental community. CVSC is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that, along with its sister organization the CVSC PAC, passes laws that protect our environment, elects pro-conservation candidates, and holds elected officials accountable. The CVSC Education Fund also works to educate and engage South Carolinians “to protect the South Carolina we love.” We effectively fight for our air, land, and water through bipartisan and pragmatic political action.

Scope of Position: CVSC seeks a highly motivated individual to join our Government Relations team and help advance statewide conservation and environmental policy. The position will work with the Government Relations Director to implement legislative campaigns that protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water in a just and equitable way. The position will assist with the development of advocacy goals, lobby for specific policy solutions, coordinate and communicate advocacy activities with lawmakers, and support the accountability work for the organization - helping to develop our biennial scorecard as well as implement plans for ongoing communication regarding lawmakers’ voting records. The right candidate will be a self-starter with excellent written and oral communication skills, experience initiating projects and advancing them successfully, and have a strong belief in and passion for the mission of CVSC and the role of lobbying for public policy in improving our state.

The position reports to the Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations. No previous lobbying experience is required. CVSC will train and mentor this position as they build relationships at the Statehouse, learn the South Carolina legislative process, and develop lobbying and campaign planning skills for advancing conservation policies

Location: The position must be based in South Carolina (non-negotiable), but may be performed remotely from within the state. During legislative session (January-June) a consistent physical presence will be necessary in Columbia. CVSC has a physical office in Columbia and co-work space in Charleston. Occasional day and overnight travel will be required.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lobby the South Carolina General Assembly (75%) – Serve as a registered lobbyist as part of the organization’s Government Relations team to implement strategies that influence policy and decision-making in favor of CVSC’s conservation goals. Work with the Government Relations team to implement multi-year strategies for advancing CVSC’s legislative priorities in the South Carolina General Assembly.
• Share Legislative Updates with Internal and External Stakeholders (10%) - Communicate legislative strategy, happenings, and action opportunities to CVSC staff, external supporters, and partners in coordination with the Government Relations Team and Communications Manager.
• Support Development of CVSC’s Conservation Scorecard (10%) – Assist with accountability programs, including the biennial Conservation Scorecard and any legislation-specific accountability efforts to educate citizens on the records of legislation.
• Other Lobbyist and Legislative Duties as Assigned (5%) – Track, monitor, and analyze legislation, attend hearings, workgroups, and other meetings. Represent CVSC within the Statehouse and in public settings, working with program staff to drive constituent contacts in the legislative process. Builds and maintains a diverse set of positive working relationships with legislators and legislative staff, collaborating and coordinating with policy experts, partner organizations, lobbyists, consultants, community leaders, businesses, and grassroots organizers. Performs other duties as needed in accordance with the successful operation of a non-profit organization.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional work experience with advocacy campaigns, with demonstrated experience with on one or more of the following elements:
  • digital communications, marketing, media relations, and/or social media
  • working within and building diverse coalitions to accomplish shared goals
  • design and implementation of political, issue, or regulatory advocacy campaigns.
  • NOTE – no prior lobbying experience is necessary for this position
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adjust strategies in real time.
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative, productive, respectful relationships with leaders and organizations representing a variety of interests and perspectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, negotiating, and public speaking skills. An ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner in person, over video conferencing, and over the telephone.
• Strong attention to detail, fast and willing learner, strong organizational skills and ability to follow up and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well within a team and with individuals, both internal and external, from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working within and building diverse coalitions to accomplish shared goals.
• Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. Share our commitment to increasing racial justice and equity in our movement and organization, integrating these principles into all of the work we do, and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
• A personal approach to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.

Preferred skills and qualifications:

• A knowledge of the South Carolina political environment, particularly within the South Carolina General Assembly.
• Experience working in politics, campaigns, or advocacy.
• A passion for conservation and environmental efforts to protect our air, land, and water.
• Knowledge and understanding of environmental issues and the types of policies used to advance environmental protection and climate action at the local and state levels.
• Proficiency and substantial experience with standard office productivity software and equipment; ability to read, process, and synthesize printed materials on paper or standard computer screen.

Work environment: CVSC is a mission-driven organization whose staff are deeply passionate about advancing environmental policy in a just and equitable way. We are seeking another effective, productive, enjoyable and highly ethical member of the team who will take responsibility and leadership for implementing assigned tasks.

Terms of employment: The position is full-time, contingent on continued funding (grants and individual donations). This includes a 40-hour workweek with the need for flexible scheduling, depending on the nature of an issue or timeframe. Occasional out of town travel will be required.

CVSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Salary/Benefits: CVSC offers a competitive non-profit sector salary for this position in the $65,000 -$67,500 range, depending on experience and qualifications.

We provide a high-quality health insurance plan paid at 100% for employees and 60% for families and dependents. We also provide options to upgrade to multiple "enhanced" health insurance plans for both employees and dependents for those desiring lower deductibles. CVSC also provides a Flex Spending Account as well as short-term disability, dental, and vision coverage at no cost to employees.

Our benefits package also includes a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% match, a monthly cell phone stipend, a technology/office setup stipend, and an annual professional development budget for each employee. Our benefits plan also includes 14 holidays, 17 days of PTO (increasing with tenure), 8 weeks of paid parental leave, and a sabbatical program after 4 and 8 years of service.

Please note that as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, CVSC employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter that addresses how your expertise matches the job description and why you want to work to protect the air, land, and water of South Carolina through CVSC’s hiring system at cvsc.org/careers. The position will remain open until filled.