Lobby Coordinator Job Opening
The West Virginia Environmental Council (WVEC) is hiring a Lobby Coordinator to begin in October 2026 and serve at least through the end of March 2027. Prior to the start of the 2027 Legislative Session, the Lobby Coordinator will participate in monthly Legislative Interim Sessions and assist in developing WVEC’s lobby strategy. This work will be part-time, at approximately 10-15 hours per week, starting October 1, 2026, through January 13, 2027.
At the start of the 2027 West Virginia Regular Legislative Session on January 14, 2027, the Lobby Coordinator will perform in-person legislative lobbying on a full-time basis, representing and advocating on behalf of WVEC’s member coalition. This work will require a combination of standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours and occasional nights and weekends, depending on the legislative schedule.
We anticipate an option to negotiate a continuation of this contract pending performance and grant funding. Priority will be granted to applicants who submit by September 15.
Lobby Coordinator’s Advocacy Responsibilities
Working in partnership with WVEC’s Legislative Oversight Committee (LOC), the Lobby Coordinator will develop effective lobby strategies, develop key legislative relationships, and meet with and provide legislators and appropriate legislative staff members with information, analysis, and opinion pertinent to each bill WVEC supports or opposes. The Lobby Coordinator will help draft legislation as necessary. He or she will plan weekly and daily strategies during the legislative session and guide and assist the rest of the Lobby Team.
The Lobby Coordinator will:
- Develop and implement strategies to influence legislation and policy at the state level;
- Prepare daily and weekly lobbying plans during the session, and conduct weekly call-in meetings with WVEC Legislative Oversight Committee;
- Plan and conduct monthly lobby strategy Zoom/call-in meetings with WVEC partners’
- Track, monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulations (the rules that come out) to ensure they are consistent with the WVEC’s interests;
- Prepare and present testimony to legislative committees;
- Develop relationships with key legislative and other allies/individuals/partners;
- Prepare updates, reports and recommendations for WVEC’s Legislative Oversight Committee and Board of Directors, for quarterly meetings and as necessary;
- Represent WVEC in public forums, press conferences, media interviews, etc.; help craft media messages as necessary;
- Write articles for WVEC’s newsletter (published weekly during the legislative session and every month during the rest of the year);
- Participate in planning and conducting Environmental Day (E-Day), WVEC’s annual day of citizen advocacy, on March 1, 2027 at the Capitol;
- Participate in a post-session assessment of the lobby team’s performance to identify lessons learned and suggest recommendations;
- Attend and/or monitor the December WV Legislative Interims, which are held in Charleston at the State Capitol;
- If able, attend the WVEC Annual Retreat at Blackwater Falls October 2-4;
- Stay abreast of environmental policies and legislative developments; and
- Assist in responding to media requests.
The Lobby Coordinator is expected to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment and communicate regularly with WVEC member groups regarding how citizens/activists from the member groups can be involved in advocacy efforts. They are expected to have a daily presence at the State Capitol during the Regular Session.
Ideal Lobby Coordinator candidates will have knowledge of legislative processes and experience in lobbying, public policy, and/or political work. Preference will be given to applicants who have legislative and lobbying experience at the West Virginia Legislature, a deep knowledge of the legislative process, and are familiar with the environmental policies supported (or opposed) by WVEC, or other similar experience.
Compensation is $30 per hour. This position will be evaluated based on deliverables. Hours may vary based on those deliverables from a co-created work plan and on the Legislative schedule, which starts January 14, 2027, to March 14, 2027. Part-time work before the Legislative Session will begin in October. This is an independent contractor position.
To apply, send a resume and cover letter to quentonking@gmail.com. Priority will be granted to applicants who submit by September 15.
