Application Guide

How to Apply for Deputy Director, California (Campaigns Department)

at Industrious Labs

🏢 About Industrious Labs

Industrious Labs is uniquely focused on transforming heavy industry for climate impact, using data-driven advocacy and community engagement. They prioritize building coalitions with labor, environmental justice groups, and farmers to create systemic change. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that tackles challenging industrial sectors often overlooked by climate advocates.

About This Role

As Deputy Director for California, you will lead campaigns to decarbonize the state's manufacturing base, starting with green fertilizer production. This role involves building powerful coalitions with unions, EJ groups, and farmers, while engaging directly with state agencies to secure policy wins. Your work will directly influence California's industrial climate policy and support a just transition for workers.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start with a morning call with coalition partners to align on strategy for an upcoming agency hearing, then spend the afternoon drafting policy comments or meeting with a state legislator's staff. Later, you could review campaign budget reports and prepare a presentation for a donor call, all while coordinating with the national team on cross-state initiatives.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Industrious Labs Is Looking For

  • 10+ years of experience in campaigning and coalition-building, with a track record of delivering policy wins in California.
  • Deep familiarity with California state agencies (e.g., CARB, CEC) and advocacy venues, including legislative and regulatory processes.
  • Proven ability to recruit and manage diverse coalitions spanning labor, environmental justice, agriculture, and community organizations.
  • Strong project management skills, able to juggle multiple campaigns, fundraising, and budget oversight simultaneously.

📝 Tips for Applying to Industrious Labs

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific California policy wins and coalition-building efforts, especially in industrial or environmental justice spaces.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to green fertilizer or agricultural decarbonization, even if tangentially.

3

Mention any relationships you have with California labor unions, EJ groups, or farming organizations to demonstrate your network.

4

Show evidence of data-driven advocacy: include examples where you used research or metrics to influence policy.

5

Address the fundraising component directly, even if it's not your primary background; explain how you've supported or led fundraising efforts.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience leading campaigns that resulted in concrete policy or regulatory changes in California.', 'Your ability to build and sustain coalitions across labor, environmental justice, and agricultural sectors.', "Your familiarity with California's political landscape, including key agencies and decision-makers.", 'Your commitment to a just transition that centers union jobs and frontline communities.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Industrious Labs' current campaigns, especially on green fertilizer and California manufacturing.
  • → Research California's recent climate policies (e.g., SB 1383, AB 32, Cap-and-Trade) and their impact on industrial sectors.
  • → Look into key stakeholders in California's agricultural and fertilizer industry, including major unions and EJ groups.
  • → Understand the political dynamics between Governor Newsom's administration, state agencies, and legislative committees on climate issues.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you build a coalition between labor unions and environmental justice groups around green fertilizer?
2 Describe a time you navigated a complex California regulatory process to achieve a policy win.
3 What is your approach to balancing ambitious climate goals with the need to protect existing jobs?
4 How would you engage with farming communities to build support for green fertilizer?
5 Can you walk us through how you would manage a campaign budget and support fundraising?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on environmental aspects without addressing labor and economic justice.
  • Avoid vague claims of coalition-building; provide specific examples with named organizations.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of fundraising; failing to discuss it can signal lack of readiness.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Industrious Labs!

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