Policy Coordinator
Closing Date: December 23, 2011
Reports to: Nick Battista, Marine Programs Director; works closely with all Program Directors
The Island Institute is dedicated to sustaining Maine’s island and remote coastal communities. At the Island Institute we partner with Maine’s 15 year-round islands and working-waterfront communities to ensure that they remain vibrant places to live, work and educate children. The Island Institute undertakes projects that address island and remote coastal communities' priorities as they evolve over time. Current priorities include community and economic development, education, energy, and marine issues.
The Policy Coordinator will track and ensure the Institute is engaged in the federal and state policy process. The Policy Coordinator will also be responsible for providing organizational and administrative support for Coalitions that Island Institute joins.
The Policy Coordinator will work closely with the Institute’s Programs staff to support engagement in policy issues that are important to the Institute’s work. Issues arise across programs areas, including education, marine environment, energy, and community and economic development, including housing and transportation. The Policy Coordinator will be expected to track State and Federal legislation that is of interest to the Institute, alert the appropriate program staff to emerging issues and help them engage in the policy process. Currently, the Institute is working with partners around the country to build a coalition dedicated to preserving working waterfronts, and the Policy Associate will be expected to provide administrative support for the development of this coalition.
Responsibilities will include: tracking legislation and policy changes at state and federal agencies; working with appropriate staff to engage in the policy process; conducting outreach and education, including developing materials related to the Institute’s policy work; research and writing about various policy options; organizing, attending and reporting out on meetings; providing administrative support for outside collaborative coalitions; and advocacy at the state and federal level in collaboration with other staff. This position requires the ability to work on multiple projects at a given time and dedication to building and maintaining relationships within island and coastal communities.
The successful candidate should have a degree in a field related to the work the Institute does and an interest in supporting the Institute’s work, particularly as it relates to the marine economy or other rural economic development issues. Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills including the ability to assist with meeting facilitation, listen, write, and speak effectively. The job also requires the ability and willingness to: travel to Maine’s island and coastal communities, and elsewhere around the state on a regular basis, often during irregular hours, and potentially some national travel; attend, speak, or present on behalf of the Island Institute at public meetings or conferences; and work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter with an excellent work ethic, time management, and organizational skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and accessing web-based information is required.
The Policy Coordinator will be a full-time, associate-level position starting as soon as possible with compensation commensurate with experience.
Please submit a letter of application including a résumé, a writing sample, and three professional references to:
Nick Battista, Marine Programs Director, Island Institute
For more information visit: http://www.islandinstitute.org/careers.php