Lead Lobbyist, Sustainable Energy & Environment

FCNL•Washington, DC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a nonpartisan Quaker lobby, is seeking a Lead Lobbyist for FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment program to advance the organization’s vision of an earth restored. The Lead Lobbyist for Sustainable Energy and Environment sits within the Domestic Policy Team, reports to the Legislative Director for Domestic Policy, and manages one entry-level Program Assistant Fellow. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL fields an expert team of lobbyists on Capitol Hill and a grassroots network of tens of thousands across the country to advance policies and priorities established by our governing General Committee of nearly 200 Quakers and like-minded friends. FCNL lobbies from a basis of spiritual and ethical purpose to build extensive connections with congressional offices and conduct focused legislative campaigns on the following current priorities: peacebuilding, human rights, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, curtailing endless war, cutting Pentagon spending, justice reform, migration justice, gun violence prevention, solutions to climate change, economic justice, and Native American issues. FCNL and Friends approach each of these priorities by identifying, exposing, and working to eliminate institutional racism, sexism, and militarism to promote genuine equality of opportunity and communities in which everyone can safely live and thrive. Headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, FCNL employs a staff of about X, including 15 registered lobbyists.

Requirements

At least three years of work experience with congressional legislative processes and procedures, politics, and public policy, including climate and environmental familiarity.
Proven strong understanding of political dynamics and legislative strategy.
Established relationships with climate organizations and congressional offices.
Strong outreach, networking, and partnership-building skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with congressional offices, organizational partners, and individuals from across the political spectrum.
Comfortable externally promoting and working in an office environment that reflects the Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, and truth and working within the Quaker, nonpartisan process of FCNL.
Commitment to engaging, promoting, and respecting individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives and to upholding FCNLS’s AJEDI values .
Consultative and collegial manner in cooperative work with internal and external colleagues.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Excellent research and writing skills, with a commitment to accuracy.
Comfortable public speaking and leading presentations.
Ability and willingness to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, nimbly adapt to changing agendas, and timely manage priorities, projects, and workflow.
Well-organized, detail-oriented, thorough, and responsive.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate or graduate degree and more than three years of experience with congressional legislative processes and procedures, politics, and public policy, including climate and environmental familiarity.
Experience as a legislative staffer
Familiarity working with faith constituencies, particularly Quakers
Ability to connect with constituents and bring their stories to the Hill
Familiarity with software such as Quorum
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion

Responsibilities

Supervise and Lead FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Program
Lead as FCNL’s staff expert on climate, environment, and energy issues.
Monitor, review, and analyze legislative and policy developments, policy proposals, and congressional positions and votes.
Prepare and disseminate factsheets, background papers, and other educational materials; brief FCNL colleagues, congressional staff, government officials, and FCNL grassroots constituents.
Publish a monthly legislative update and hold webinars for FCNL constituents across the country.
Represent FCNL to Congress and the Executive branch
Build and maintain relationships with relevant congressional and executive branch staff of all parties and political leanings.
Effectively advocate for FCNL’s climate and environment policy positions consistent with FCNL’s Statement of Legislative Policy and legislative priorities
Demonstrate congressional knowledge and political acumen.
Develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy
Develop and implement a legislative, communications/media, and grassroots strategy in concert with FCNL staff for advancing climate and environmental policy in Congress.
Assess progress toward legislative goals and adjust approach to reflect lessons learned.
Carry out strategy tools, such as backgrounders, letters, statements, testimonies to members of Congress, sign-on letters for relevant coalitions, Hill lobbying, legislative action messages to grassroots, and sample email texts and phone scripts for use by local advocates.
Work in coalition with our colleague organizations
FCNL is a leading voice and works in close partnership with the interfaith advocacy community, and this role may chair coalitions.
Honor FCNL’s collaborative work with organizations led by impacted communities.
Design and lead events and represent FCNL at gatherings and events as needed.
Represent FCNL’s climate positions externally
Serve as FCNL’s spokesperson for related sustainable energy and environment.
Support the currentness and accuracy of FCNL issue-related webpages.
Engage with journalists and other media influencers; research and draft op-ed columns, letters to the editor, and reports; and work in coordination with other designated staff and constituents to publish the same as appropriate.?
Engagement with Quaker Network
Consult with the Senior Director for Quaker Leadership on building and strengthening relationships with Quaker institutions, bodies, and networks. This may include occasional travel.
Supervisory responsibilities
Supervise a Program Assistant and potential interns.