BPRC Fellow - Building Power Resource Center

NRG Consulting Group

7d•$4,000 - $4,000•Remote

About The Position

Building Power Resource Center (BPRC) is a high-touch strategy and technical assistance provider that supports collaboration between community organizations, unions, and local governments to implement and scale model decarbonization policies that deliver tangible benefits for working people. To win ambitious climate action that lasts, BPRC believes policymaking must balance securing bold commitments for long-term goals with building immediate signature projects. Central to this approach is an “inside-outside” strategy, where grassroots coalitions create the political conditions to win popular programs and support government champions in designing and executing them. Importantly, community and government leaders also share the responsibility for ensuring that projects are a success and that the win is felt by the broader community. Through campaigning and implementation that focuses on building the political conditions from the “outside” and collaborating deeply on the "inside," BPRC and their partners are building a clean energy economy while strengthening the muscles of democracy. BPRC equips their statewide and local partners in the Building Power Network (BPN) with policy research, data, relationships, fundraising support, and ongoing strategic coaching to implement policy models一such as public school decarbonization and neighborhood-scale decarbonization一that simultaneously build community power, grow public sector capacity, lower energy bills, reduce climate pollution, improve public health outcomes, and create good union jobs. Partners have shared that BPRC’s deep understanding of basebuilding, ability to synthesize the complex political and financial resource landscape, and relationships with technical experts make them an invaluable resource. With federal funding rollbacks and political chaos, community-labor coalitions and government leaders at the subnational levels rely on trusted allies like BPRC to support them in leading the equitable green energy transition. Please read more about the BPRC here. A BPRC Fellow is a recent masters graduate and directly supports one of BPRC’s partners on a concrete and consequential project. We are looking for kind and competent organizing-minded policy geeks and project managers. The ideal candidate has experience organizing campaigns from outside government and/or implementing policy programs from the inside; they can balance the ambition of the principled just transition we need with the pragmatism necessary for successful governance. We are looking for go-getters who are motivated by genuine curiosity, detail obsessed, rigorously mission-focused, enthusiastic about climate and economic policy, and outcomes-driven! This is a great opportunity for those who want to work with Community Based Organizations or in local government. Fellows will work with the best organizers across the country and with ambitious government officials to model effective climate and jobs programs that could be replicated across the country. BPRC seeks to build a pipeline of policy professionals with inside-outside organizing experience. Fellows will report to a Senior Program Director, and work closely with the broader BPRC team.

Requirements

Relevant experience in organizing, campaigning, and/or policy; experience working in government is preferred;
Experience building partnerships and being in accountable relationship;
Relational and collaborative spirit is a must;
Excellent communications skills -- listening, speaking, and writing;
“Nothing is too big or too small” attitude
Technical expertise on building decarbonization or the energy system is not necessary, but basic skills in policy analysis and a sharp understanding of the political dynamics and stakeholders in climate work is required;
Nuanced understanding of the relationship between an inside and outside strategy for social change - and for this project, is oriented towards collaboration with governing partners as a way to support base building goals;
Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage their time effectively, and create and complete work plans without much supervision;
Demonstrated commitment to values of equity and justice in their personal or professional life;
Graduate degree in policy, urban planning, public administration, or other relevant fields is preferred;
Willingness and ability to travel at least 1-2 times during the fellowship, if working remotely from their “placement”
Fellows must be located in the United States and have valid work authorization (including international students who can participate through valid CPT or OPT programs) – we are not able to support work visas.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain collaborative and rewarding relationships with our partners (leaders of community organizations, government staff, allies in national-network groups, and other technical assistance providers). Depending on needs and skills, fellows may serve as primary BPRC support for 1-2 partners during their fellowship.
Draft and give feedback on various campaigns' internal and public materials.
Policy research and analysis
Identify relevant opportunities and aggressively support partners’ applications for federal, state, and city funding for their projects.
Provide direct grant writing assistance
Facilitate connections with appropriate TA providers and relevant organizations
Project manage conduction of feasibility studies and assessments
Manage strategic initiatives
Support BPRC’s organizational development and internal capacity, such as supporting external communications efforts
End of fellowship report and presentation evaluating the project and sharing key lessons-learned