Job Description

The Opportunity

CLWC is growing with a reputation as the leading grassroots advocacy organization fighting for clean water, clean air and the environment in Southeastern Massachusetts.  The Deputy Executive Director (DED) will support the work of the Executive Director in building a long-term sustainable organization. 

This position is movement-facing: building grassroots power with the goal of expanding CLWC’s capacity to carry out its mission to preserve, protect and steward the land and water resources of Southeastern Massachusetts. At the same time, the DED will share responsibility for carrying out the organizations strategic plan and projects,  fundraising, and long-term sustainability.

What You’ll Do

1. Grassroots Organizing & Community Engagement

• Lead community outreach campaigns to expand CLWC’s base.
• Train, mobilize, and support local volunteers and leaders so communities can advocate at municipal boards and committees and before state agencies. 
• Build and deepen coalitions with grassroots, Native American, academic and justice organizations.
• Strengthen CLWC’s issue-based campaigns that connect local struggles to regional and statewide reform.

2. Advocacy Strategy

• Participate in developing and executing strategies to influence municipal and state policy, environmental enforcement, with a focus on land use laws including zoning, wetlands laws and air and water pollution laws. 
• Represent CLWC in public hearings, media interviews and other public venues.
• Work with allies to expose corruption and corporate manipulation of municipal and state government.
• Help shape litigation and regulatory strategies by aligning them with grassroots political pressure, understand and communicate legal strategies and tactics

3. Organizational Leadership

• Partner with the ED in setting vision and priorities, ensuring alignment between grassroots demands and organizational strategy.
• Support staff and interns, fostering a culture of movement-driven advocacy and collaboration.
• Step in for the ED as needed in external and internal leadership roles.

4. Fundraising & Communications

• Drive grassroots fundraising campaigns, connecting community engagement with donor development.
• Collaborate with ED on grants and major donor strategy.
• Oversee storytelling, digital engagement, and press outreach that elevate community voices and victories.

Who You Are

• A movement builder with proven experience in grassroots organizing, advocacy, or community campaigns.
• Politically savvy — able to navigate local government, mobilize citizens, and influence decision-makers.
• A strong communicator, comfortable in town halls, legislative offices, and community kitchens alike.
  Experienced in nonprofit management or ready to step into it, with ability to balance advocacy with internal systems.
  
• Collaborative, resilient, and ready to take on powerful corporate interests alongside communities.
• Maybe a lawyer or political science major with an interest in legal processes, litigation, administrative law, and advocacy

Bonus if you have:

• Experience with environmental or land use policy.
• Legal or scientific knowledge that strengthens advocacy campaigns.
  
• History of working with Indigenous nations, grassroots coalitions, or environmental justice communities.

How to Apply

Must be based in Southeastern Massachusetts. Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to:

[email protected]

Use the subject line: Deputy Executive Director Application – CLWC.

Use this naming protocol for your PDF: LastName.FirstName.year.date.month

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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