Community Program Assistant Jobs in Old Saybrook, CT

Description
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking a Program Coordinator or Program Assistant to join our team in Connecticut working to protect New England's environment for all people. This is a hybrid role that blends hands-on support for CLF's climate and energy, environmental, and environmental justice advocacy in the state with core administrative, office management, and development responsibilities. It is an ideal opportunity for someone with a passion for mission-driven advocacy and an ability to keep a small but busy office running smoothly.
The position reports to the Vice President for Connecticut and will be based in New Haven, with some opportunity for remote work within the state.
What you'll do
Advocacy and program support
• Conduct research on laws, policies, and best practices.
• Track and analyze legislative and regulatory developments, flagging priority issues and recommending responses.
• Engage with coalition partners, community groups, and policymakers, and help coordinate joint advocacy efforts.
• Prepare memos, reports, public comments, and presentations, and help manage legal and regulatory filings and deadlines.
• Support and participate in advocacy before the Connecticut General Assembly, state regulatory agencies, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
• Draft public education and communications materials, including blogs and social media posts, in coordination with CLF's communications team.
• Ensure compliance with the Connecticut Office of State Ethics lobbying and reporting requirements and assist attorneys with state bar obligations.
• Assist with discrete special projects, including short-term assignments supporting other teams.
Administrative, office management, and development
• Provide general administrative support to the Connecticut VP, including planning meetings and events, taking minutes and notes, and coordinating information technology needs.
• Perform various office management responsibilities, including onboarding staff, board members, and interns, tracking and reporting office finances, interfacing with building management, and ensuring the smooth operation of office activities.
• Support the state advisory board, including scheduling and meeting logistics.
• Support development efforts for the Connecticut office, including coordinating visits and calls to donors and assisting with the planning and execution of special events.
• Provide administrative support to organization-wide initiatives including budget and policy planning, strategic planning, and staff retreats.
• Other duties as specified.
What you'll need
We are looking for a motivated, organized, and collaborative self-starter who can work both independently and as a member of a supportive and mission-driven team. To succeed in this role, you'll need:
• Relevant professional experience or equivalent transferable experience, with the following minimum requirements:
o Program Coordinator: At least 3-5 years of experience.
o Program Assistant: At least 0-3 years of experience.
• Experience or interest in environmental policy, public interest advocacy, and community engagement.
• Strong research and writing skills and a commitment to developing new skills, including legal research skills.
• Ability to assess priorities, take initiative, and solve problems.
• Demonstrated experience with general office procedures.
• Strong administrative capabilities and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.).
• Willingness to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in compliance with CLF's AI Policy.
• Excellent judgment and ability to maintain strict confidentiality where appropriate.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues and partner organizations.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to organizational excellence.
• An undergraduate degree is strongly preferred.
Our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. Our hiring process is centered on assessing candidates with various lived experiences. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background.
About CLF
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England's environment for the benefit of all people. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the market to solve the region's most challenging environmental problems, from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders-in statehouses, courthouses, boardrooms, regulatory hearings, and community gatherings-to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF frequently works with communities of color, and those that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately from the impacts of environmental degradation.
CLF is committed to diversity among our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive.
Salary and Benefits
CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan, and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected. Salary ranges are based on position level:
• Program Coordinator (minimum 3-5 years of experience): $55,000-$65,000.
• Program Assistant (minimum 0-3 years of experience): $53,000-$58,000.
Placement within the salary range will be determined by relevant experience, skills, and qualifications, with significant consideration given to internal pay equity. CLF is committed to ensuring compensation decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with the experience and contributions of current employees in similar roles.
We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development.