Policy Associate

The Nature Conservancy

Policy Associate at The Nature Conservancy conducting policy analysis and communications. Collaborating with government relations to support advocacy and conservation goals in Oregon.

Posted 7/11/2026full-timePortland • Oregon • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $75,650 - $83,385 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conducts federal policy analysis and monitors congressional, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant federal policy issues.
Actively participates in state legislative and administrative processes; attends committee hearings, lobby visits, budget hearings, floor sessions, commission meetings, and other meetings relevant to TNC conservation priorities and in support of advocacy goals and objectives.
Monitors legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant state and federal policy issues; provides research, policy analysis and recommendations on state public policy issues, policy options, agency budgets, and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, rulemaking efforts, and changes in agency policies.
Develops policy communications assets to support the Oregon Business Unit’s and Western Division’s policy advocacy and strategic communications needs, including talking points, testimony, one-pagers, letters to the editor and social media posts.
Attends and takes notes at committee hearings, lobbying visits, floor sessions, agency commission meetings, and other relevant venues in support of TNC conservation priorities.
Works with Marketing and Communications and Government Relations teams to produce state and federal policy briefs to help educate elected officials, partner organizations, board of trustees members, and the general public.
Assures compliance with all state and federal lobbying laws and regulations, including reporting and tracking state lobbying activities.
Some overnight out of state travel for trainings and Washington, D.C. fly-ins, frequent travel to Salem, OR during state legislative session, and occasional travel for organizational retreats.
Overnight/out of state travel up to 10% of time.
Hybrid work arrangement with an expectation to work onsite at the Portland office at least once every two weeks.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with policy, advocacy, or strategic communications.
Experience communicating with government officials and/or agency staff, partners and stakeholders, or organizational leaders.
Experience researching information from varied sources and compiling it into communications materials, memos, and issue briefs.
Experience in verbal and written communications, with strong analytical, writing and critical thinking skills.
Experience cultivating and sustaining relationships and working effectively with a wide variety of teams.
Fluency in English.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health care benefits
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
Parental leave
Accrued paid time off
Life insurance
Disability coverage
Employee assistance program
Other life and work well-being benefits

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Policy AnalysisAdvocacyResearchCommunications Materials DevelopmentAnalytical Skills

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingCollaborationCritical Thinking