Health Policy Director

Founded in 1980, the nonprofit Michigan Environmental Council now represents 75 environmental, public health and faith-based organizations, offering research, communications and technical support and providing an effective voice for the environment at the local, state and federal levels. Working with our member groups and their collective membership of 250,000 residents, MEC is fighting to guard our water, protect our land resources from sprawl, defend public health from pollution, and promote cleaner energy for a stronger economy. 

The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) seeks a full-time Health Policy Director to lead our organization in achieving public policy change to reduce the environmental impacts on the health of Michigan residents.

Current MEC Health Policy Priorities: Pesticide use reduction; Chemical policy reform; General environmental health and safety.

Responsibilities

* Collaborate with MEC staff leaders, Board Members, and member groups to set programmatic priorities and implement strategies and action plans for MEC's work on environmental health issues. 
* Participate effectively in existing state and national environmental health coalitions, work to expand and diversify those coalitions, and partner with MEC allies to build new coalitions around emerging issues as appropriate.
* Leverage knowledge and expertise to educate legislators, state agency officials, business leaders, and other Michigan decision-makers on key environmental health policy issues facing Michigan. 
* Respond to media inquiries on environmental health issues.
* Participate in the preparation of proposals to charitable foundations that support environmental health policy work, as well as reports on work completed under existing foundation grants. 
* Work with colleagues responsible for other MEC environmental programs to identify and capitalize on cross-program opportunities. 
* Provide content for MEC's quarterly newsletter, website and other publications.
* Attend state, regional and national conferences relevant to MEC's environmental health work. 
* Fulfill office responsibilities shared equally by all staff in a 15-person non-profit office environment.

Qualifications 

* Masters degree in field related to environmental health preferred; bachelors degree required. 
* Direct experience in the health care sector preferred (i.e., nursing, public health, etc.).
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Experience and aptitude working in diverse coalitions, alliances or other groups.
* Knowledge of the science and latest discoveries in the environmental health field, particularly as related to current priorities listed above. 
* Political or public policy experience a significant plus. "
* Commitment to protection of the environment and public health a must. 

Compensation Commensurate with experience. 

To apply:

Please email, fax or send resume, cover letter, three references and a writing sample. Deadline: Monday, June 11, 2007 

Lana Pollack
President, Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste. 2A
Lansing, MI 48912 

MEC is an equal opportunity employer Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.