Science & Policy Director

About the Organization

Heal the Bay is the most recognized environmental nonprofit group in LA for a reason: we have been keeping Southern California's coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for people and marine life since 1985. Using education, science, advocacy, and community action, we raise awareness and make progress with practical solutions to often complex problems. We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods. We advocate for strict water quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers, and the Santa Monica Bay home. We operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards for the region’s most important natural resource: clean water. We also educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, with more than 10,000 students joining us each year for school field trips, science-based classroom presentations, and events. Learn more about us at www.healthebay.org/our-impact

About the Role

The Science & Policy Director is a key leadership role at Heal the Bay, responsible for advancing our mission of making coastal waters and watersheds in Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director manages a team of scientists and policy experts to drive strategic goals, with a focus on inland and coastal water quality, biodiversity, climate change and environmental justice. Specifically, Heal the Bay’s current strategic science and policy priorities include: 

• Clean Water & Public Health – Protecting the health of people and coastal waters by reducing urban runoff, stormwater, wastewater, nutrients, and other sources of pollution; advancing stormwater capture and watershed solutions; providing trusted water-quality information; and serving as a watchdog for water-quality regulations and NPDES permits.
• Marine Ecosystem Protection & Restoration – Protecting and restoring healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity through science, policy, MPAs, responsible resource management, and applied conservation and restorative aquaculture. Oversee Heal the Bay’s conservation and restorative aquaculture work at the Aquarium/Research & Discovery Center, ensuring projects are scientifically rigorous, mission-aligned, and connected to broader restoration and policy priorities. 
• Climate & Coastal Resilience – Integrating climate change into Heal the Bay’s science and policy priorities and advancing solutions that strengthen the resilience of coastal and watershed ecosystems and Greater Los Angeles communities.
• Pollution Prevention – Reducing plastics, DDT and other legacy contaminants, and emerging and industrial pollutants through science-based policy, advocacy, source reduction, and systems change.
• Science-Based Response to Emerging & Acute Threats – Helping Heal the Bay identify and respond appropriately to emerging or acute threats to coastal ecosystems and public health, including sewage releases, oil spills, wildfires, and other significant pollution events.

Key responsibilities include working with the CEO to develop the overall strategic vision for achieving Heal the Bay’s science and policy goals. Independently, the Director is responsible for developing advocacy campaigns, overseeing research and regulatory analyses, and representing Heal the Bay in public forums. The Director also manages relationships with policymakers in Los Angeles and Sacramento and collaborates with external partners. 

Candidates should have a strong background in environmental policy and science, with expertise in one or more of the following areas: water quality, ocean and coastal policy, climate change and its impacts on Los Angeles’ coastline, and environmental justice. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience leading a team.

Heal the Bay offers a dynamic, mission-driven environment where science, education, community action, and advocacy are at the core of our work.

Expectations & Responsibilities

• Lead science, policy, and advocacy effortson water quality and coastal resources, in alignment with Heal the Bay’s strategic goals.
  • Cultivate and maintain partnerships with government agencies, decision-makers, advocacy groups, and environmental stakeholders.
  • Track and analyze policies, regulations, and legislation at regional and state levels.
  • Develop, review, and provide feedback on scientific, technical, and regulatory documents.
  • Develop and lead campaigns to pass legislation and regulations and implement programs that help Heal the Bay achieve our mission.
• Manage department staff; lead, mentor, and develop a team of scientists and policy experts, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Collaborate with department directors on inter-departmental projects that integrate, and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (JEDI) principles into Heal the Bay’s overall strategy.
• Manage relationships with funders and help identify new funding sources, oversee grants and budgets, and manage the department's budget.
• Engage Heal the Bay’s Board of Directors, providing updates on science and policy issues and offering guidance on policy decisions that align with the organization's mission.

Experience & Skills

• Deep commitment to Heal the Bay’s mission and the protection of environmental health in Southern California.
• Extensive experience in environmental science, policy, or law, with 10+ years in environmental policy, water management, coastal/ocean management, or related fields.
• Relationships with policymakers in Los Angeles and Sacramento.
• Advanced degree demonstrating expertise in environmental disciplines.
• Comprehensive knowledge of California coastal water issues, including legal, policy, and technical aspects of stormwater management, ocean/coastal issues, and environmental justice.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire staff, volunteers, and partners in advancing Heal the Bay’s policy and scientific initiatives.
• Commitment to promoting equity and inclusion within the organization and the broader environmental community.
• Proven ability to thrive under pressure, managing multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and project management skills, coupled with strong problem-solving and communication abilities.
• Willingness to work beyond regular hours, including occasional weekends, to meet the needs of the organization.
• Proficient in basic software, including Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and ability to learn other software systems as needed. 

Compensation

This position is full-time, exempt, $120,000 - $140,000 annually depending on experience with appropriate state and federal taxes withheld.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. Heal the Bay covers 90 percent of employee medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. Full-time employees are also eligible for life insurance and participation in the organization’s Simple IRA retirement plan. Employees receive paid vacation and Heal the Bay recognized holidays in accordance with organizational policy. In accordance with California labor law, employees are eligible to accrue and use up to 72 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year after completing 30 days of employment. 

Schedule

Participation in some weekend and evening events, as well as county wide travel. Heal the Bay operates in a hybrid manner; typical schedule might be (2) days in the office or field per week.

Location

The employees’ primary work location will be at Heal the Bay Headquarters, with some work at the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. This position also includes occasional regional or state travel for fieldwork or meetings at off-site locations. Work will take place both indoors and outdoors, depending on needs and scheduled events. 

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in variable weather conditions with potential exposure to heat, wind, and inclement weather both indoors and outdoors. 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds across sand
• Regularly required to talk, hear, and reach with hands and arms
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel 
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, twisting, and reaching in various directions
• Frequent standing, walking, and moving between work areas 
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds 
• May require pushing or pulling carts or equipment 

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Heal the Bay. To be considered for this position, please submit an application through the job posting on our Careers page as part of our recruiting process.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process for all applicants, we ask that candidates do not contact Heal the Bay staff directly regarding employment opportunities. All employment-related communication will be conducted through our recruiting process.

Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and we strongly encourage applications from individuals that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County. If you don’t meet all of the preferred skills above, you are still encouraged to apply and will be considered based on diverse and equivalent skills and experience. 

Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check. A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered including the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.