Senior Compliance Officer

Job Title: Senior Compliance Officer

Department: Conservation

Location: Washington, DC

Reports to: Director of Compliance and Operations Strategy

Context: Directs, administers, and coordinates activities to ensure the Sierra Club programs are in compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations and reporting requirements regarding the use and application of 501 (c)(3), 501(c)(4), Voter Education (527) and PAC funds. Provides technical expertise in federal ethics and lobbying regulations.

Scope: The Senior Compliance Officer is responsible for creating curriculum, designing training materials and training volunteers and staff on compliance guidelines. Works closely with Director of Compliance, Political Director, and relevant program staff and experts regarding compliance issues. Provides compliance support and guidance to staff and volunteers as new programs are developed. Designs tracking and reporting processes to ensure regulatory reporting needs are met at the state level. Works with Sierra Club Political Team to design and implement training and guidelines. Serves as the Sierra Club's expert on federal lobbying and ethics regulations.

Job Activities:

1. Develops Sierra Club procedures and guidelines related to federal, state, and local elections for use by staff and volunteers ensuring compliance with Sierra Club policies and related election law.
2. Coordinates and reviews project plans and material for compliance with tax and election law. Works with Political Team, national campaigns, Advancement, Chapters, and Organizing Staff to design and adjust organizational plans to ensure compliance with regulations and Sierra Club guidelines.
3. Works with San Francisco reporting staff to develop schedules and plans to meet all regulatory reporting deadlines. As needed, files or supports the filing of state and local level regulatory registration reports for sites where National team is working.
4. Assists in the review and approval of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) materials to ensure proper use of funds.
5. Maintains systems for tracking and updating state and local election law guidance and legal opinions.
6. Provides expertise in federal lobbying and ethics regulations.
7. Works with volunteer committee to develop Political Compliance Guidelines. Develops updates and prepares supplemental materials and guidelines as needed.
8. Creates, designs, and delivers in coordination with Program staff and Director of Compliance training materials and conducts compliance training on Political, lobbying, and (c)(3) and (c)(4).
9. Develops organization policies, processes, and procedures related to implementing election related programs in coordination with Conservation Operations.
10. Performs outreach and trains state level activists on Sierra Club policies and assists them in creating compliant campaign plans. Supports Political Desk in answering questions.
11. Performs miscellaneous duties as requested.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in business, non-profit or public administration, political science, finance, accounting or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4-5 years experience in regulatory compliance.
• Working knowledge of election law, FEC regulations, and federal ethics and lobbying regulations. Excellent knowledge of legal framework governing 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to design organizational processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated skill and effectiveness in preparing training and instructional materials and in conducting training programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.