Federal Policy Director

Pacific Environment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to confronting our most urgent environmental issues by connecting local and global movements, catalyzing policy change, and inspiring action for the benefit of people and our planet. Together, we promote a healthy climate, reduce pollution, and conserve biodiversity for an equitable and thriving future.

Position:

Pacific Environment seeks an experienced Federal Policy Director to lead the organization’s federal government affairs strategy on maritime shipping issues. This role is the organization’s principal advocate before Congress and federal agencies — including the U.S. Coast Guard, Maritime Administration (MARAD), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), EPA, and Department of Transportation — on policy priorities such as vessel emissions and fuel standards, port and vessel infrastructure investment, supply chain resilience, and maritime workforce and safety standards.

The Federal Policy Director will build and maintain relationships with congressional offices and committee staff, track and analyze relevant legislation and rulemakings, represent the organization in coalitions and public forums, and translate technical maritime policy into actionable advocacy strategy. This is a senior externally facing role requiring deep familiarity with the federal legislative and regulatory process and credibility with maritime policy stakeholders.

Qualifications:
Required

• 5–10+ years of federal government affairs, legislative, or regulatory experience, ideally including maritime, transportation, energy, or environmental policy.
• Demonstrated relationships with congressional offices, committee staff, and/or relevant federal agencies (Coast Guard, MARAD, FMC, EPA, DOT).
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative process, appropriations cycle, and administrative rulemaking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting testimony, letters, public comments, and policy materials for non-expert audiences.
• Track record of representing an organization credibly in coalitions and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in a remote/hybrid environment while regularly meeting with congressional and agency offices in Washington, D.C.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Commitment for climate action, with a demonstrated ability to think creatively and identify innovative opportunities to advance campaign goals.

Preferred

• Prior experience on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency, or in maritime/shipping industry government affairs.
• Familiarity with transportation, clean energy, maritime decarbonization, clean fuels, or vessel emissions policy.
• Existing network within maritime trade associations, port authorities, or environmental/labor coalitions.
• Experience with defensive advocacy (protecting existing law, funding, or regulatory authority from rollback), not solely proactive policy advocacy.

Salary: $105,000 – $115,000 a year

Tagged as: Law/Policy