State Relations Advocate I/II/Senior

The Association of California Water Agencies is seeking qualified candidates for the position of State Relations Advocate.

This position is part of a series and candidates with experience at the State Relations Advocate I, State Relations Advocate II and Senior State Relations Advocate levels will be considered. ACWA may consider hiring at the Senior level for those with more experience. Placement depends on experience and qualifications.

Applications are due by the close of business on December 16, 2025. Interviews will be tentatively held the week of January 5, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

The new State Relations Advocate will join a team of professionals who work in a collaborative environment with respected water leaders across the state to develop and advance critical water management policy priorities on behalf of California's public agricultural and urban water agencies and water users. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and proactive individual to gain a wealth of experience in California water policy and advocacy by being an integral part of ACWA's State Relations Department.

ACWA is the largest statewide association of public water agencies in the nation with approximately 470 members. Since its inception in 1910, ACWA has served as a leader in California water policy, advancing comprehensive statewide strategies to meet the state's future water needs, and a respected voice for its members in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. ACWA is headquartered in the heart of Sacramento, just a few blocks from the State Capitol.

ACWA's member agencies are responsible for 90% of the water delivered to California communities, farms, and businesses. Together, members play an active role in managing the state's water resources and creating progress in groundwater management, safe drinking water, water use efficiency, water recycling and desalination.

Position Summary
The State Relations Advocate is a full-time, exempt position. This position collaborates with member agencies to interpret and understand the impacts of legislative and regulatory policies or proposals and advocates on behalf of members to policymakers; provides advocacy-related technical assistance in support of ACWA's positions; acts as liaison to ACWA policy committees and working groups; and collaborates with other ACWA teams to advance ACWA's advocacy through member communication and policy programming for events. Positions may be assigned to both legislative and regulatory issues and perform duties impacting both.

State Relations Advocate (Level I) is the entry-level class in the State Relations Advocate series. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate increased proficiency during the training period and are gradually given more difficult and responsible assignments and may assist experienced advocates in charge of more difficult projects.

State Relations Advocate (Level II) is the journey level class in the professional State Relations Advocate series. Incumbents at this level receive less instruction or assistance and are familiar with the operating procedures and policies of advocacy.

Senior State Relations Advocate is the advanced journey-level class in the professional State Relations Advocate series. Incumbents at this level operate under general direction and are experts in the operating procedures and policies of advocacy.

The Ideal Candidate
ACWA is seeking a strong communicator who is skilled at building strategic relationships, enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues, and demonstrates initiative in a challenging and rewarding environment. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience and, at a minimum, one year of advocacy or advanced policy experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Write and submit legislative and regulatory comment letters and provide oral testimony on legislative and regulatory issues.
• Develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and independently build coalitions among like-minded organizations as appropriate.
• Directly advocate ACWA's positions and policies to the state Legislature, state agencies, and the Administration.
• Draft and review legislative analyses to be presented to ACWA's State Legislative Committee.
• Assist with the creation and refinement of statutory or regulatory language.
• Provide advice, consultation, and information to member agencies regarding state legislation and regulations.
• Obtain requisite background information for bills and regulatory proposals identified as having an impact on ACWA or its members from legislative authors, state agencies, bill sponsors, websites, periodicals, newspapers, and other relevant sources.
• Serve as a liaison to ACWA's policy committees and subcommittees as assigned which includes setting and planning meetings; taking meeting notes; providing oral and written reports; facilitating committee decision-making and policy development; regularly communicating with committee; managing committee budget; implementing any committee action plans; and following up on any committee action items.
• Participate in ACWA's Monday Morning Lobby Group and relevant policy committee meetings, including State Legislative Committee.
• Create, plan, and independently execute programs for ACWA's conference, legislative symposium, and webinars.
• Respond to ACWA member requests regarding policy issues within an assigned portfolio.
• Serve as subject matter expert and collaborate with other ACWA departments on assigned issues as needed.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department on policy-driven communications plans and products regarding assigned policy issues.
• Write status updates on policy issues and programs for Board of Directors' Reports, regulatory roundup, ACWA News and other communication tools.
• Embrace integrity, service, inclusion, and collaboration in daily work.
• Be an integral team player through flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, member agency staff and lobbyists, and partner associations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability to

• Effectively represent ACWA's policy positions, policies, programs and services with the State Legislature, state agencies, and other interested parties.
• Understand and interpret State laws, rules, policies, regulations, and proposals of concern to the membership.
• A demonstrated capacity to successfully negotiate with diverse interest groups.
• Assist with planning and coordinating programs related to assigned policy issues.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines while balancing time in and outside the office.

Compensation
Annual Salary Range effective January 5, 2026
State Relations Advocate I: $104,007-$135,210
State Relations Advocate II: $114,668-$149,069
Senior State Relations Advocate: $139,379-$181,193

Benefits

• In recognition of the value its employees deliver to the organization, ACWA also offers a generous benefits package which includes:
• Health Insurance: 100% employer-paid for employees plus 75% of dependent premium up to the lowest cost plan
• Dental and Vision: 100% employer-paid for employees and their dependents
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid life insurance coverage for employees. Supplemental employee-paid coverage is available
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Program
• Retirement: Cal PERS, Classic Members: 2% at 55 benefit formula. New Members: 2% at 62 benefit formula
• Cal PERS 457 employee deferred contribution plan
• Retiree Medical Insurance: Matching contribution to a Retiree Health Savings Account
• Paid Vacation: 12 days, first year, additional day each year at anniversary to 27 days max at 16 years
• Paid Holidays: 12 paid holidays plus 2 personal holidays per year
• Sick Leave: 7.5 hours per month. Carries over each year and can be used as service credit for Cal PERS when applying for retirement pension
• Longevity Pay
• Technology Stipend
• Hybrid work schedule with employees required to work in-person at least three days per week in the Sacramento Office
• Free Office Parking

Minimum Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, an incumbent must meet both of the following requirements:

State Relations Advocate I
Education & Experience
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year of advocacy or advanced policy experience.

State Relations Advocate II
Education & Experience
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and at least two years of increasingly responsible advocacy or policy experience related to an assignment similar to a State Relations Advocate I.

Senior State Relations Advocate
Education and Experience
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of increasingly responsible advocacy or policy experience related to an assignment similar to a State Relations Advocate II.

Filing Instructions
To be considered for this exciting career opportunity, please upload your updated cover letter and resume. Applicants must also include a 1-2-page writing sample; the topic does not need to be related to the position. Please also include email addresses for three work-related references (who will not be contacted until after an interview takes place). Applicants who do not include all of the required documents may not be considered.

Questions
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact ACWA Human Resources at Janeo@acwa.com or (916)441-454

recblid m1ekckfai1akxcjg84eb3xzoq9t7v0