---
title: 'Legislative Director at Sierra Club'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/legislative-director-sierra-club-atlanta-kgcz1mseqsk8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-15'
---

# Legislative Director at Sierra Club

- **Company:** Sierra Club
- **Location:** Atlanta, GA
- **Compensation:** $86k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-07
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-15
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub/a250559e-52c3-40f1-b87f-443f2561f140

## Job description

Job Title: Legislative Director Department: Georgia Chapter Location: Hybrid; must be able to travel to Atlanta daily Reports To: Chapter Director Supervises: Legislative Interns and Contract Lobbyists

Context:  At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 700 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Legislative Director builds the Chapter’s power and influence through delivery of legislative advocacy efforts. Maintains governmental and political contacts, evaluates legislation, makes strategic recommendations related to legislation, and lobbies at the state and local level. This is a hybrid position that requires frequent in-person meetings as well as in-state travel.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

- Legislative Strategy. Plans, coordinates, and implements the Chapter’s legislative strategies as approved by the Chapter Legislative Committee. Writes and implements work plans for legislative campaigns and coordinates with staff and volunteers to develop campaign goals and tactics that will deliver policy wins in alignment with the Chapter’s priorities. Collects and maintains legislative data, evaluates legislative strategies, reports campaign outcomes to the Chapter Director, and makes recommendations on adjusting organizing strategy as needed.

- Legislative Lobbying. Builds and maintains relationships with elected officials and legislative staff. Coordinates with groups and partners in order to rally support/opposition for bills, initiatives, laws, or resolutions. Monitors, studies, and researches proposed legislation to determine possible effects on the environment and makes appropriate recommendations to the Legislative Committee. Confers with legislators and officials to emphasize merits or weaknesses of specific bills to influence passage, defeat, or amendment of measure, or introduction of legislation that defend and advance environmental protection. In consultation with the Legislative Chair and contract lobbyist, prepares for legislative hearings and meetings. Ensures compliance with state and federal law and files lobbyist reports.

- Policy Messaging & Communications. Works with Sierra Club staff and coalition partners to develop a consistent, clear state policy and legislative message that is being communicated to the public, relevant communities, and stakeholders. Tracks legislative proceedings to ensure proper messaging and leads rapid response strategy. Write legislative briefs and works with communications staff to develop one-pagers, talking points, and policy toolkits.

- Grassroots Mobilization. Manages and implements legislative mobilization efforts including but not limited to: indirect lobbying, direct-to-target messaging, coalition events, SMS, and phonebanking. Designs and facilitates legislative training for volunteers and manages in-district lobbying volunteer programs. Plans and coordinates meetings between members and elected officials to discuss legislative issues and proposals and allow for officials to hear and consider member concerns. Convenes coalition spaces, meetings, and events in coordination with partners to plan mobilization opportunities, activations, and events

- Representation. Represents Sierra Club to elected officials, the public, in coalition meetings, legislative meetings, and events. Serves as Sierra Club spokesperson to media outlets and promotes volunteer and partner organization media exposure as needed.

- Collaboration with Committees. Writes legislative scorecard with Legislative Committee, works with Political Committee on endorsements, and serves as staff lead for Coordinated Campaign work. Is staff support on committees (Legislative, Clean Energy, Transportation, Wildlands, and Political)

- Manage Legislative Staff. Hires, manages and supports legislative staff, including: contract lobbyists and legislative interns. Manages hiring processes and executes contracts in alignment with the chapter's budget and priorities. Establishes performance objectives and expectations, and evaluates accomplishments and effectiveness. Tracks grant deliverables, progress and performance and, when necessary, helps course correct and respond to challenges.

- Advance Georgia Chapter’s Cultural Transformation Goals. Supports implementation of the Chapter's efforts to cultivate an environment that benefits from a broad coalition of identities reflecting the richness of cultures across Georgia. Seeks and creates opportunities to affirm the belonging of partners and members through political and legislative work.

- Miscellaneous. Travel is required for staff meetings, volunteer group meetings, statewide legislative functions, and other meetings and events deemed relevant to the duties of the job. Meetings and other work outside of regular business hours, including weekends and evenings is required. Heavier workloads may occur as a result of deadlines and during peak activity periods.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

- Subject matter expertise. Substantial subject matter expertise in environmental policy, political science, or both. Prior experience and effectiveness in lobbying. Clear understanding and knowledge of the legislative and political process.

- Team Leadership. Prior experience and/or demonstrated ability in developing, training, and coaching teams of staff and volunteers in achieving shared goals. Experience in organizational conflict resolution and committed communication skills. Ability to address and resolve conflicts within the organization effectively, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

- Relevant experience. Must have experience working as a lobbyist. Must have experience with Georgia state-wide and/or local politics.

- Strong analytical skills. Ability and willingness to conduct strategic outreach. Successful candidates will show a strong desire to engage in collaboration, conduct outreach, and build networks throughout the organization and the state.

- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and clearly both verbally and in writing.

- Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.

- Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

- A deep knowledge and understanding of Georgia’s unique legislative and political landscape.

- Experience and a deep understanding of the rules, laws, and guidelines as they relate to political and lobbying work in Georgia, both advocacy and electoral.

- Can recognize where work needs to be done and fill the gaps. Self-motivated; can work independently as well as part of a team.

- Working knowledge of operations, budget management, and grant funding.

- Fast learner who can quickly absorb, distill, and communicate to diverse audiences new and often complex information

To Apply The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

## About Sierra Club

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Sierra Club is the largest and most enduring grassroots environmental organization in the United States, dedicated to protecting the planet, advancing climate solutions, and ensuring access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment for all.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization)
- **Headquarters**: Oakland, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1892
- **Founders**: John Muir

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Environmental advocacy, climate action, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
- **Target customers**: B2C – millions of members, donors, volunteers, and grassroots activists; also partners with other nonprofits, campaigns, and mission-aligned companies.
- **Mission / purpose**: “To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.” ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club))

## Products & Services
- **Advocacy & Campaigns**: Grassroots-driven campaigns to retire coal plants, stop pipelines, promote clean energy, protect public lands, and advance environmental justice.
- **Outings & Volunteer Programs**: Over 7,500 trained volunteers lead more than 15,000 trips annually (local hikes to international expeditions).
- **Sierra Club Books**: Publishing imprint for environmental literature.
- **Sierra Student Coalition**: Youth-led climate and conservation network.
- **Sierra Club Foundation**: Separate 501(c)(3) supporting education and conservation.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit). Annual revenue approximately **$152.3M** (LinkedIn estimate, likely calendar 2024). Expenses reported as $84.9M (2025). ([linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/sierraclub))
- **Key Metric**: Over **1 million members** and a network of local chapters across the U.S.
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not investor-backed; partners include other environmental nonprofits, labor unions, and corporate allies.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew ~4% YoY to 744 employees (LinkedIn); careers page states over 800 staff. The organization is unionized with two labor unions (Progressive Workers Union and Sierra Employee Alliance) representing more than half of employees. ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment))

## Competitive Advantages
- **Grassroots power**: Over a century of organizing experience; unmatched network of local chapters and trained volunteers.
- **Legacy & trust**: One of the most recognized environmental brands in the U.S., with a proven record of legislative wins (Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, protection of 439 parks and monuments).
- **Unionized workforce**: Strong employee voice and collective bargaining, signaling a commitment to fair labor practices.
- **Integrated equity focus**: Core values of anti-racism, justice, and transformation embedded in the 2030 Strategic Framework.

## Strategic Focus
- **Climate solutions**: Championing the transition away from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and toward 100% clean energy.
- **Environmental justice**: Ensuring that climate and conservation efforts address racial and economic inequities.
- **Grassroots expansion**: Deepening volunteer engagement and building a diverse, inclusive movement.
- **Policy advocacy**: Pushing for federal and state legislation on clean air, safe water, land protection, and public health.

## Why Work Here
- **Meaningful mission**: Direct impact on climate change, conservation, and social justice.
- **Unionized environment**: Over half of staff are represented by two unions; strong protection for workers.
- **Comprehensive benefits**: 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision premiums; 401(k) with match; 20 weeks paid parental leave; generous PTO including extended winter break; sabbatical after 5+ years. ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment))
- **Flexible work options**: Positions listed as remote, hybrid, and on-site depending on role (e.g., Deputy Regional Field Director is remote; Chapter Director is hybrid; Grassroots Coordinator is on-site). ([jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub))
- **Diversity commitment**: Strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
- **Growth opportunities**: Sabbatical program, training, and the chance to work with a national network of passionate activists.

## Sources
1. [sierraclub.org – Careers](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment)
2. [jobs.lever.co – Sierra Club job board](https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub)
3. [sierraclub.org – About the Sierra Club](https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club)
4. [linkedin.com – Sierra Club company page](https://linkedin.com/company/sierraclub)
5. [sierraclub.org – Massachusetts Careers (benefits detail)](https://www.sierraclub.org/massachusetts/careers)

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