Policy Advocate, New Jersey

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.•New York, NY

5d•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 POSITION SUMMARY NRDC is seeking a Policy Advocate, New Jersey to join the Northeast 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 New Jersey; 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 Trenton and other NJ localities to advance NRDC’s policy goals. 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

Law degree, Master’s degree or other related advanced degree
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 Trenton, NJ, as well as to NRDC’s other U.S offices and locations as needed
Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

Responsibilities

Develop, build support for, and advance a broad portfolio of equitable climate and clean energy policies, including energy efficiency, power sector decarbonization, renewable energy, and building and transportation sector 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 New Jersey legislature, the executive branch, the Board of Public Utilities and state agencies;
Conduct policy research and analysis to develop and support positions;
Represent NRDC at conferences and serve as the key New Jersey 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 Regional Director, Northeast 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.