Posted: 1/20/2016

Location: Portland Metro

Closing Date: 2/5/2016

Industry: Energy, Environment, Nonprofit

Type: Full Time

Description:
Climate Solutions seeks a smart, innovative Oregon Policy Associate with a deep commitment to climate and clean energy solutions. The Oregon Policy Associate will further Climate Solutions’ mission through concrete program and policy work, including legislative and administrative advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. In partnership with the Oregon Director, they will spearhead new initiatives to accelerate reductions in climate pollution and the transition to clean energy in Oregon, build broad support for climate action, and enhance Climate Solutions’ role in the climate movement.

Climate Solutions’ mission is to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment, and bridging divides. Since 1998, Climate Solutions has pioneered the vision and cultivated political leadership in the Northwest for the proposition that clean energy and broadly‐shared economic prosperity can go hand‐in‐hand. We are at the forefront of globally significant campaigns, including the West Coast Climate Campaign, Renew Oregon, and Power Past Coal, in partnership with dozens of allies. Through our Washington, Oregon, New Energy Cities, and Fossil Fuel programs, Climate Solutions builds a powerful constituency for local, regional, and national action on climate and clean energy. For more information about Climate Solutions, visit www.climatesolutions.org.

The position is a full-time, exempt position located in the Portland office and supervised by the Oregon Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Work closely with the Oregon Director in goal-setting, strategy, and implementation to meet the organization’s short- and long-term policy objectives in Oregon.
• Work with Oregon Director and key partners on policy design, passage, and implementation in Oregon.
• Provide expert testimony, and participate in legislative, rule-making, and administrative processes as needed.
• Work with the Oregon Director to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with coalition partners, allies, and key legislative and administrative staff.
• Provide expert policy analysis, technical expertise, and guidance to inform the priorities, strategies, and objectives of Climate Solutions and its partners.
• Ensure consistency and knowledge sharing between Oregon and other Climate Solutions’ programs with the Oregon Director.
• Represent Climate Solutions at local, state, and national policy meetings and events; travel as needed.
• Work with communications staff to identify and seize opportunities to showcase stories and evidence of the clean energy transition.
• Work with the Oregon Director and other senior staff to incorporate Climate Solutions’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion commitments into Oregon’s program and priorities.
• Assume additional responsibilities and perform other duties as delegated by the Oregon Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Knowledge:
• Demonstrated knowledge of policy work, legislative, and regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of energy/utility policy or energy economics preferred. Other relevant expertise includes climate policy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation.
• Willingness and ability to learn quickly and develop new areas of knowledge.
• Strong analytic and verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Desire and flexibility to work in a campaign environment both with a team and independently.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple short‐term and long‐term projects simultaneously.
• A driven, collaborative, and inspirational nature.
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Climate Solutions.

Education, Training, and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Four years of experience, working in energy, climate, or related fields, ideally the nonprofit or public policy sectors.
• Ability to operate desktop computer and Microsoft Windows and Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, databases, SharePoint, and specialized software applications in a network environment and in the cloud.

REMUNERATION
This is an exempt position and the minimum salary is $57,000 with the potential for a higher salary based on previous experience. We also offer a generous benefits including, medical, paid leave, and retirement.

Climate Solutions is committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.

Application Guidelines/Contact:
TO APPLY
• Email a résumé, cover letter and at least three professional reference contacts in PDF format to employment@climatesolutions.org.
• Please put OREGON POLICY ASSOCIATE and YOUR NAME as the subject line of the email and address the cover letter to Kristen Sheeran, Oregon Director.
• Please label the cover letter and resume with your first and last name.
• In the body of the email, please let us know how you found out about the position.
• This position is open until filled, but priority review will be given to candidates who have submitted their applications by February 5th. Applications received after that date may be reviewed in a second round.

Salary:
Range starts at 57,000 Annually