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Legislative Specialist
Ocean Conservancy
Washington, DC, USA
USD 65k-65k / year
Posted on Mar 7, 2026
POSITION TITLE: Legislative Specialist, Government Relations
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Government Relations Program
REPORTS TO: Director, Government Relations
STATUS: Regular, Full-Time
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.
ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY
For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Legislative Specialist’s mission is to help Ocean Conservancy’s government relations team be the most organized and effective force for ocean conservation. This position provides policy, logistical and institutional support to the Government Relations (GR) team and Ocean Conservancy (OC), as a whole, with significant areas of responsibility and the opportunity to take on visible, high-profile projects. Notable areas of responsibility include managing an array of systems that keep the GR team and Ocean Conservancy informed and organized, managing OC’s lobbying disclosure and tracking systems, developing policy and legislative analysis materials, making policy recommendations and helping develop and manage significant events like fly-ins, hill briefings, receptions, Q&A sessions with members of congress, etc.
The Legislative Specialist may also provide some support and project management for other cross-cutting functions outside of the GR team, such as the the International Government Relations (IGR) team. In addition, this individual will provide support to Ocean Conservancy’s VP of External affairs. They will be responsible for advocacy strategy development and lobbying execution for a small portfolio of specific issues that can be determined based on both the needs of the institution and interest of the individual in this role. Below is an overview of the key areas of responsibility.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Project & Logistics Management
- Maintain a variety of GR team tracking systems, including the Congressional meetings database, calendar of hill and administration events and the team’s legislation tracking database.
- Handle logistical support for an array of items including handling invoices, managing outside vendors and subscriptions, helping manage the GR budget and expense reconciliations, maintaining contracts for outside lobbyists, etc.
- Facilitate weekly GR team meetings, compile weekly notes and write the GR weekly update to be sent across Ocean Conservancy.
- Manage Ocean Conservancy’s lobbying tracking and disclosure compliance across the institution.
Government Relations Team Support
- Provide logistics, strategic and project management support for the IGR team.
- Help streamline the operations of the IGR team – for example developing templates for international events, writing briefings, doing background research on speakers/attendees, updating the engagement calendar and tracker, etc.
- Provide support to the legal affairs team, including research.
- Attend legislative hearings, meetings, markups and press conferences and report back to GR team and OC programs.
- Analyze legislation, perform legislative, legal and policy research, draft legislative fact sheets and correspondence, prepare lobbying packets and briefing materials and respond to requests for information.
- Proactively inform program staff across OC when legislation, administrative actions, hearings, etc. are happening that they might be interested in or need to be aware of.
- Track environmental community sign-on letters, including making recommendations on whether to sign certain community letters.
- As issues arise where additional support is needed, this individual may also provide support for other teams, such as IGR.
Government Relations Strategy & Cross-Team Coordination
- Manage a small portfolio of OC policy priorities, including in key institutional priority areas like NEPA and the Endangered Species Act. Own the development and execution of legislative and lobbying strategies for that portfolio.
- Provide significant institutional and logistical support for high-profile GR events like stakeholder lobbying fly-ins, hill briefings, receptions and OC-hosted events with Members of Congress.
- Occasionally assist by attending hill meetings and providing other lobbying support.
- Communications and digital products – Serve as a principle liaison for the communications and digital teams, helping develop or review digital action alerts and write or review blogs and other public-facing communications materials. Proactively come up with ideas for blogs and other communications materials. When appropriate, spearhead project management for communications efforts.
- Be a source of new ideas! –Develop and pitch new ideas on what Ocean Conservancy and the GR team can do to be more effective and make good progress for the ocean. Great ideas can come from anyone and anywhere.
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
- Basic knowledge of federal legislative process and the operations of not-for-profit advocacy organizations is required.
- Some experience in advocacy and/or lobbying strategy development and tactical execution.
- Ability to meet deadlines and to complete work in a thorough and professional manner; attention to detail. Strong communication and organization skills and the ability to coordinate multiple tasks from a variety of staff simultaneously with minimum supervision.
- Working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office suite.
- Previous political or public policy internship or work experience, especially on Capitol Hill, is preferred.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental science, or another related field, or equivalent years of professional administrative support experience.
COMPENSATION
Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected minimum salary is $65,000. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.
TO APPLY
If you think you’d be a great fit for the job and are interested in joining Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here. Please include a resume and cover letter in one file on your application.
HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT
Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.