The Association of California Water Agencies is currently accepting applications for State Relations Advocate.

Applications are due by the close of business on March 12, 2025. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of March 17. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed. Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

The new State Relations Advocate will join a team of professionals who work in a collaborative environment with respected water leaders across the state to develop and advance critical water management policy priorities on behalf of California’s public agricultural and urban water agencies and water users. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and proactive individual to gain a wealth of experience in California water policy and advocacy by being an integral part of ACWA’s State Relations Department.

ACWA is the largest statewide association of public water agencies in the nation with approximately 470 members. Since its inception in 1910, ACWA has served as a leader in California water policy, advancing comprehensive statewide strategies to meet the state’s future water needs, and a respected voice for its members in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. ACWA is headquartered in the heart of Sacramento, just a few blocks from the State Capitol.

ACWA’s member agencies are responsible for 90% of the water delivered to California communities, farms, and businesses. Together, members play an active role in managing the state’s water resources and creating progress in groundwater management, safe drinking water, water use efficiency, water recycling and desalination.

Position Summary

The State Relations Advocate is a full-time, exempt position. This position collaborates with member agencies to interpret and understand the impacts of legislative and regulatory policies or proposals and advocates on behalf of members to policymakers; provides advocacy-related technical assistance in support of ACWA’s positions; acts as liaison to ACWA policy committees and working groups; and collaborates with other ACWA teams to advance ACWA’s advocacy through member communication and policy programming for events. Positions may be assigned to both legislative and regulatory issues and perform duties impacting both.

This position is part of a series and candidates with experience at the State Relations Advocate I and State Relations Advocate II level will be considered. Placement at level I or level II will depend on qualifications.

State Relations Advocate (Level I) entry-level class in the State Relations Advocate series. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate increased proficiency during the training period and are gradually given more difficult and responsible assignments and may assist experienced advocates in charge of more difficult projects.

State Relations Advocate (Level II) is the journey level class in the professional State Relations Advocate series. Incumbents at this level receive less instruction or assistance and are familiar with the operating procedures and policies of advocacy.

The Ideal Candidate

ACWA is seeking a strong communicator who is skilled at building strategic relationships, enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues, and demonstrates initiative in a challenging and rewarding environment. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience and, at a minimum, one year of advocacy or advanced policy experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Write and submit legislative and regulatory comment letters and provide oral testimony on legislative and regulatory issues.
Develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and independently build coalitions among like-minded organizations as appropriate.
Directly advocate ACWA’s positions and policies to the state Legislature, state agencies, and the Administration.
Draft and review legislative analyses to be presented to ACWA’s State Legislative Committee.
Assist with the creation and refinement of statutory or regulatory language.
Provide advice, consultation, and information to member agencies regarding state legislation and regulations.
Obtain requisite background information for bills and regulatory proposals identified as having an impact on ACWA or its members from legislative authors, state agencies, bill sponsors, websites, periodicals, newspapers, and other relevant sources.
Serve as a liaison to ACWA’s policy committees and subcommittees as assigned which includes setting and planning meetings; taking meeting notes; providing oral and written reports; facilitating committee decision-making and policy development; regularly communicating with committee; managing committee budget; implementing any committee action plans; and following up on any committee action items.
Participate in ACWA’s Monday Morning Lobby Group and relevant policy committee meetings, including State Legislative Committee.
Create, plan, and independently execute programs for ACWA’s conference, legislative symposium, and webinars.
Respond to ACWA member requests regarding policy issues within an assigned portfolio.
Serve as subject matter expert and collaborate with other ACWA departments on assigned issues as needed.
Collaborate with the Communications Department on policy-driven communications plans and products regarding assigned policy issues.
Write status updates on policy issues and programs for Board of Directors’ Reports, regulatory roundup, ACWA News and other communication tools.
Embrace integrity, service, inclusion, and collaboration in daily work.
Be an integral team player through flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, member agency staff and lobbyists, and partner associations.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability to

Effectively represent ACWA’s policy positions, policies, programs and services with the State Legislature, state agencies, and other interested parties.
Understand and interpret State laws, rules, policies, regulations, and proposals of concern to the membership.
A demonstrated capacity to successfully negotiate with diverse interest groups.
Assist with planning and coordinating programs related to assigned policy issues.
Ability to manage competing deadlines while balancing time in and outside the office.

Minimum Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, an incumbent must meet both of the following requirements:

State Relations Advocate I

Education & Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year of advocacy or advanced policy experience.

State Relations Advocate II

Education & Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least two years of increasingly responsible advocacy or policy experience related to an assignment similar to a State Relations Advocate I.

Association of California Water Agencies

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State Relations Advocate