Policy Advisor, U.S. Climate Alliance

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $100,00

Position Overview

The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing America’s net-zero future with state-led, high-impact climate action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its member states and territories accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and resources. It also coordinates engagement with the federal government and national partners to drive solutions across government in support of an ambitious, durable national climate framework. For more on the Alliance, visit www.usclimatealliance.org.

The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a Policy Advisor to support governors’ offices in the advancement of electricity sector and carbon pricing policy solutions. This position serves as primary advisor to Alliance members on relevant state and federal policy matters; manages day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Groups and relevant cohorts; supports activities of the State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative; provides guidance to states in the development and implementation of relevant state-level policies and programs; maintains relationships with sectoral national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities; tracks sector-based policy actions at the state and federal levels and regularly updates members; advises on and supports sector-based technical assistance projects; and collaborates with the Alliance’s federal affairs team to facilitate state engagement on key federal rules and actions. They may also be expected to advise on additional policy sectors as assigned.

The Policy Advisor reports to the Policy Director and works as part of a broader team that includes Alliance states, consultants, and external partners.

The position is based in Washington, D.C., with consideration for remote work in the contiguous United States (hybrid schedule).

Essential Functions

 Provide policy guidance to states and track relevant policy developments

• Support Alliance members in the development, adoption, and implementation of state-level policies and programs related to the electricity sector and carbon pricing, identifying opportunities to raise ambition where possible
• Provide Alliance states with expert guidance, tools, and resources to act on emerging policy opportunities and demonstrate political and sectoral leadership
• Contribute to the Alliance’s policy tracking efforts by conducting research, actively monitoring relevant updates at the state and federal levels, and supporting regular updates to the Alliance’s Policy Database
• Oversee technical assistance projects that support specific-sector policy priorities, including by managing vendors, ensuring grant deliverables are met, and supporting state policy activities based on project outcomes
• Help states identify and secure sources of federal, private-sector, and philanthropic resources to accelerate policy advancement in the electricity sector and on carbon pricing. Maintain relationships with relevant national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities
• Advise on additional policy sector(s) as assigned and provide back-up coverage for at least one additional sector

 

Coordinate multistate working group(s), initiatives, and convenings

• Manage day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Group and subject-specific cohorts, including developing and leading standing meetings and regular communications
• Support activities of the State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative, in partnership with the Policy Director
• Consult with states on areas of focus, agenda development, and identification of action items and key barriers
• Engage stakeholders and key external partners to scope and implement projects
• Track and follow up on action items

 

Generate policy option papers, resource guides, letters, communications materials, and other major Alliance deliverables

• At the request of Alliance states and Secretariat leadership, draft briefing papers and/or guides for states that analyze policy development and opportunities in the electricity sector and on carbon pricing. Make recommendations that are ambitious, politically feasible, and technologically possible
• Conduct policy research, analyze key sector trends, and draft chapters of the Alliance’s annual report that outline progress towards our climate goals
• Collaborate with the Alliance’s federal affairs team in the development and submission of multistate or coalition-wide letters to the federal government
• Help draft remarks, talking points, and other relevant communication materials
• Contribute to products that help Alliance states improve quantification of opportunities, measure progress towards policy goals, and quantify the co-benefits of action
• Conduct research and analysis and draft material for Alliance products across other sectors as needed

 

Shape content and strategy for Alliance-wide meetings, workshops, and events

• Work with Secretariat leadership, Alliance states, and outside experts to prepare meeting content and materials for Alliance meetings and events
• Actively participate in the Alliance’s Semiannual Governor-Office Team Meetings in the spring and fall, including supporting on any sector-specific sessions and developing sector-specific content as needed
• Contribute to invitation lists and key partner outreach for Alliance meetings and events

 

Support fundraising for relevant policy efforts

• Identify funding needs to execute on Alliance states’ electricity sector and carbon pricing goals
• Support the development team in cultivating relationships with current and prospective funders
• In partnership with the Alliance’s development team, help write and submit grant applications for additional sources of philanthropic funding

 

Assist with relevant grants

• Provide technical expertise, as needed, in the management of Alliance philanthropic grants that support activities on electricity and carbon pricing. With the operations team, manage spending against relevant budgets for these grants
• With the operations and UNF contracts team, review new contracts and grant agreements to advance activities on the electricity sector and carbon pricing
• Evaluate and contribute to funding award decisions for state technical assistance projects. Provide expertise, oversight, and support for relevant technical assistance projects that are funded by the Alliance

 

Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree with substantial work experience in climate, energy and/or environment policy. Preference may be given to candidates with a master’s degree
• 4-7 years of professional experience in related policy areas
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing U.S. policy solutions that reduce pollution, address climate change, and increase climate resilience
• Works effectively as part of a small, collaborative team and adapts to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Shows initiative and problem-solving skills when confronted with challenges
• Exhibits flexibility and professionalism while executing a wide range of tasks
• Engages diverse partners diplomatically and exercises discretion when working with sensitive information
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines with strong organizational skills
• Thinks critically and produces high-quality products tailored to different audiences with minimal direction
• Experience working with governments required; direct experience engaging with or within state-level government strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research and analysis, develop presentations and briefing memos, and brief senior leaders
• Adaptability to changing circumstances and eagerness to learn new policy areas
• Familiarity with relevant U.S. climate-related datasets and tools
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, with demonstrated ability to organize, analyze, and visually present information
• Ability to work under pressure and handle stress
• Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy

 

Benefits & Compensation

For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• back-up care
• employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.