Mountain Area Preservation (MAP) is looking to hire a full-time director to support our land-use
advocacy work in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. MAP is a 501©3 non-profit charitable
organization, based in Truckee, CA.

Our Mission: to preserve the Truckee-Tahoe region’s mountain character and natural
environment for present and future generations.

About MAP: MAP is a thirty-four-year-old, grassroots environmental advocacy non-profit established by longtime locals in 1987 who wanted to protect open space and advocate for responsible development in the Truckee-Tahoe region. Since MAP’s inception, our work has helped to protect more than 7,000 acres from the threats of poorly planned development, working collaboratively to conserve landscapes in the Martis Valley, Donner Summit, Brockway Summit, and Eastern Truckee. MAP’s current priority land use campaigns aspire to protect 8,500+ acres of critical habitat and large landscapes in the North Lake Tahoe and the Martis Valley watershed. As advocates of sound community planning, our work has created significant benefits through negotiations that have fostered the creation of workforce housing, watershed restoration, parks, trails, transit, and environmental stewardship programs. MAP is a member-powered advocacy group with 700+ MAP members that fuel our work by participating in fundraising, land use advocacy, special events, and community organizing efforts.

Job Description: MAP is seeking to hire an effective Advocacy Director to assist with our priority land use campaigns, review Truckee and North Lake Tahoe development applications, conduct community outreach, organizing, and support fundraising programs and events. We are seeking an individual that understands land use planning and policy, and how to be an effective leader for positive change through grassroots advocacy work. This individual would be a trained advocate with excellent leadership, communication, community organizing, and coalition-building skills. A prime candidate would be highly skilled at using policy, advocacy, legal, scientific, and communication tools to help advance MAP’s land use advocacy campaigns. Additionally, experience managing successful grassroots campaigns, building strategic coalitions, collaborating with conservation partners, and helping to raise funds for land use campaigns is desired.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will help advance MAP’s advocacy priorities including:

• Land Use Advocacy – MAP reviews development proposals in the Town of Truckee and North Lake Tahoe in Placer County. The MAP Advocacy Director will work closely with the Executive Director on project review, comment letters, MAP membership outreach, community organizing, project communications, and public hearing representation. Public speaking and the ability to attend in-person hearings in the evening for government advocacy are required.
• Save Tahoe – MAP is currently challenging Martis Valley West in court and will be continuing our Save Tahoe campaign in 2022, with the goal of protecting 8,500 acres in the Martis Valley and North Lake Tahoe watershed from the threats irresponsible development. The Advocacy Director will support the Save Tahoe campaign through communications, community outreach efforts, and fundraising appeals.
• Save Canyon Springs – MAP and our conservation partners will be creating a stewardship plan for 290 acres at the eastern edge of Truckee, an area known as Canyon Springs that was just purchased for open space by the Truckee Donner Land Trust. MAP challenged the development of the site since 1987, and created a willing seller in 2021 for the acquisition of the property for community open space. The Advocacy Director will work with the Executive Director and conservation partners on stewardship planning, community outreach, and fundraising for stewardship.
• MAP Membership – The Advocacy Director will work with MAP staff to communicate and educate MAP members about our advocacy campaigns, development project reviews, public hearings, and general organization communications. This includes written, verbal (one-on-one and small groups), and public speaking with large groups.
• Community Leadership – The Advocacy Director will build and maintain strong relationships with key individuals and organizations including: elected officials, policymakers, agency staff and resource managers at the federal, state and local level, commissions, legislatures, and other organizations including media (e.g. newspapers, radio); represent MAP strategically in public policy, planning, and collaborative processes and forums that impact Truckee Tahoe.
• Fundraising – The Advocacy Director will initiate and participate in fundraising, including drafting proposals and reports, identifying and cultivating potential donors, meeting grant obligations, and support MAP’s priority fundraising and outreach events.
• Organizational Support – Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications & Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required; a degree in environmental science, law, policy, land use planning or related environmental field is a plus.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in environmental policy and advocacy, or a related discipline. Experience with CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) is a plus.
• Effective leader with vision and excellent judgment that combines political savvy and strategic acumen with analytical, communications, and messaging skills.
• Demonstrated experience running grassroots environmental campaigns and mobilizing volunteers.
• Ability to build consensus, develop effective coalitions, and collaborate with diverse interests.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective advocacy strategies, solve problems, raise funds, and manage internal budgets.
• Strong research, writing, negotiation, media, and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state level politics relevant to land use planning and policy.
• Understanding of natural resource policy and management issues relevant to the conservation of open space and habitats; advocacy experience in legislative and administrative forums a plus.
• A sense of humor, outstanding written and public speaking skills, strong organization skills, and the ability to work independently.
• Previous experience with an environmental or non-profit organization a plus.

Compensation: Hourly wage is competitive with other Northern California not-for-profit conservation organizations and land use planning positions. Salary is commensurate with experience plus paid time off (PTO), paid sick leave, holiday pay, health insurance benefits, and 401k after I year of employment with MAP.

Hiring Process: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews for qualified candidates.

How to Apply: This position is open until filled. Please email your cover letter and resume to info@mapf.org. Please no office visits to drop off application materials.

MAP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental or marital status in our organizational programs and activities. We recognize that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences can only enrich our community, mission, and conservation goals. As part of our intentional efforts to increase inclusivity, equity, diversity, and justice, we encourage applicants from underrepresented groups in conservation. We value relevant skills and experience and encourage you to apply if you have an interest in the position even if your experience is not a perfect match with the requirements.