Policy Advocate, North Carolina

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. • Washington, DC

1d • $124,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org. NRDC is seeking a North Carolina Policy Advocate to join the Southeast Regional team of the Climate and Energy Program. Our team is committed to transitioning to a clean energy economy and addressing energy and environmental inequities through partnership, building the environmental movement and ambitious, effective policies. This position will be an integral part of the program’s advocacy success and requires: a commitment to advancing a just, equitable, and sustainable clean energy future in North Carolina; working collaboratively and in a team-based setting with both internal and external partners; the ability to represent NRDC with decision-makers and in the media and other public forums with credibility and enthusiasm; and, the willingness to travel to Raleigh and other NC localities to advance NRDC’s policy goals. This is a limited term 2 year position. The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Requirements

• Bachelors degree required.
• 4+ years of work experience related to environment, climate, energy policy, or a related field
• Experience in state-level clean energy and climate advocacy
• Experience navigating diverse stakeholders, building consensus on policy issues, and driving toward positive outcomes within a team, in a coalition, and with other external partners - particularly with partners that reach beyond the traditional environmental community
• Experience building and cultivating relationships within administrative, regulatory, or legislative fora
• Demonstrated success managing projects and engaging in public advocacy
• A sense of mission and passion for public interest and environmental advocacy
• Broad-based interest in climate and clean energy work, including the ability to quickly get up to speed on NRDC’s policy priorities
• Ability to represent NRDC with maturity, judgment and professionalism
• Strong oral and written advocacy skills, including a willingness to represent NRDC in a variety of public forums and in the media
• Willingness and ability to register as a state lobbyist
• Ability to travel to Raleigh, NC as well as to NRDC’s U.S offices and locations as needed
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

Nice To Haves

• Law degree, Master’s degree or other related advanced degree a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and advancement of a broad portfolio of equitable climate and clean energy policies, including power sector decarbonization, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation and building electrification.
• Build durable partnerships and collaborate with state clean energy coalitions and a network of allies, including the environmental community, environmental justice organizations, frontline and community groups most impacted by environmental injustices, utilities, consumer and low-income advocates, labor, the faith community, and clean energy businesses.
• Develop and nurture relationships with state decision-makers and elected officials.
• Provide written and oral advocacy to further NRDC’s priorities with the North Carolina legislature, the executive branch, the North Carolina Utilities Commission and state agencies.
• Conduct policy research and analysis to develop and support positions.
• Represent NRDC at conferences and serve as the key North Carolina spokesperson in the press for NRDC’s climate and clean energy mission, including partnering with the Communications team to respond to media requests and develop advocacy materials to amplify NRDC’s message.
• Collaborate with a multi-faceted internal team of policy, campaign, and communications experts to advance a diverse portfolio of policy initiatives.
• In partnership with the Climate and Energy department’s Southeast Regional Director, and other staff, set strategic goals and priorities, budgets, and timelines, and deploy consultants and partners to meet project timelines and objectives.
• Be a central part of a strong and collegial team that is focused on collaboration, approaches advocacy with innovation and optimism, and is committed to leveraging the full range of expertise within NRDC and among its partners to drive change.

Benefits

• Generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week to reset for the new year.
• Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements for all NRDCers
• Matching 403b whether you contribute or not
• Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level