California Policy Officer

About Resources Legacy Fund:

Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) builds the architecture behind lasting environmental progress. From climate resilience to land and water conservation to community well-being, we help visionary ideas take shape—offering the steady support and strategic know-how to turn complex challenges into collective victories.

We deliver transformative outcomes for our planet and its people through trusted partnerships and creative campaigns. Rooted in California and expanding across Western North America and beyond, we have a 25-year track record of supporting initiatives at every scale. We also host fiscally sponsored projects that reach across the globe, reinforcing the efforts of change makers worldwide.

Addressing three interconnected crises — climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice — requires creativity, collaboration, and fast reflexes. With deep operational expertise and the confidence of donors and partners, we enable lasting solutions to rise.

Position Summary:

RLF’s California team manages a suite of complex, multi-year programs that advance priorities in ocean and land conservation, resilience to climate change, freshwater, renewable energy, equitable access to public lands, ecosystem health, and wildfire resilience. The Policy Officer, in collaboration with the programs team, engages in statewide policy development, advocacy, coalition-building, campaigns, and capacity-building to secure durable outcomes consistent with organizational priorities.

The position requires a seasoned professional to lead RLF’s government affairs, lobbying, and advocacy strategies in Sacramento and ensures RLF’s interests are effectively represented among policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates. The Policy Officer researches, analyzes and develops organizational policies to meet strategic goals and monitors California’s public policy and funding landscape to deliver high-impact outcomes for RLF priority programs.

This position is full-time, exempt, and reports to the California Director. This role is remote with a home base in the greater Sacramento, CA area, and requires occasional domestic travel.

Duties:

Government Affairs and Advocacy  

• Serve as RLF’s lead public policy strategist and advocate in Sacramento.
• Research, analyze, and develop policies and campaigns to meet organizational goals.
• Monitor legislation, consult stakeholders, and draft analysis.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with legislators, legislative staff, governor's office, state agency leadership, and other decision makers.
• Monitor the legislative process, budget, and regulatory landscape.
• Lobby decision makers on specific policy and budget items.

Strategy, Partnerships, and Internal Support 

• Assist program staff in designing and executing effective policy and public funding campaigns.
• Advise staff on policy strategy, assess feasibility, alignment, and strategic leverage points for their priorities.
• Train staff on legislative and budget processes, policy analysis, decision-making processes, advocacy, and politics.  
• Work with partners to develop and implement policy solutions.
• Provide or commission needed policy analysis, and draft related collateral (public comments, bill language, etc.).
• Identify opportunities for RLF to expand its impact.
• Convene and participate in statewide coalitions, task forces, and special initiatives.
• As needed, assist compliance staff with lobby tracking and other compliance issues.
• Hire and manage contract lobbyists and other consultants as needed.
• Undertake special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Note: These qualifications are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, so if you have 75% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply.  Experience can include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work and lived experiences that helped you to build the competencies, knowledge, and skills needed for this position. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

• At least 10 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, and/or advocacy campaigns. 
• Excellent working knowledge of California policymaking, state budgeting, regulatory processes, and related politics 
• Strong working knowledge of California’s environmental, climate, and conservation landscape. 
• Comfortable and eager to work within complex policy, stakeholder, and political spaces.  
• Experience building trust-based relationships with diverse constituencies such as policymakers, government officials, Tribes/Tribal communities, non-profit partners and the private sector.
• Experience engaging with diverse coalitions and effective campaigns for policy and funding outcomes.
• Excellent composition, editing, and spoken communication skills. Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources into lucid, cohesive, and compelling written products.
• A commitment to a work environment free from discrimination, where all team members feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
• Positive attitude and a commitment to being part of and building a positive work environment.

Desired Applicant Attributes

• Ability to perform responsibilities with a high degree of judgment, discretion, accuracy, and attention to detail.

• Self-directed in leading new bodies of work and highly collaborative in achieving outcomes.
• Extensive network of professional relationships in California’s environmental equity, climate, and conservation sectors.
• Flexibility in working style, marked by an ability to work closely with a wide range of personality and organization types and teams.
• Capacity to respond rapidly and appropriately to changing priorities, objectives, and situations.
• Sufficient technological ability and commitment to learn and consistently use RLF’s preferred tools and adhere to confidentiality policies and procedures.

Commitment to Nondiscrimination:

RLF is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, where all team members feel valued, respected, and included. We know that our work is enriched by the varied voices and perspectives of every staff and board member, so we are committed to making an earnest effort to recruit, welcome, train, develop, and retain talented individuals from all backgrounds. We believe that a welcoming culture expands our creative capacity to do our work and achieve greater outcomes for people and the natural world.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range is $130,000 - $160,000. Salary commensurate with related work experience and qualifications.

We have an alternate Fridays off work schedule and offer a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with a 5% match, and generous paid time off. RLF also offers a technology allowance, student loan repayment assistance, the Calm app, mental health benefits and approximately 16 paid holidays per year.

To Apply:

Please provide a resume and cover letter explaining how your skills fit this position.

Recruitment Schedule

July 8, 2026 – Recruitment launches

July 22, 2026 – Application deadline (applications received after this date may still be considered)

August 3, 2026 – Screening Interviews

RLF participates in E-Verify, potential candidates can review the information here and here.