Power Your Community, South Central Campaigner

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. • ,

2d • $117,000 - $130,000 • 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. Natural Resources Defense Council is seeking an experienced campaigner to lead concurrent local campaigns organizing labor, especially International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members, in support of renewable energy projects in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The ideal candidate will be familiar with applicable siting processes and laws in these states and will have prior experience in campaign management and community organizing. Experience working with the renewable energy industry and/or labor unions is a plus. While much of this work will be done remotely, significant travel will be required. 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

• B.A./B.S. degree in an environmental or political field, or an advanced degree in energy-related issues, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required
• 4-7 years of experience in the planning and implementation of campaigns, which includes strategy, organizing, media, fundraising, budget planning, and work with political leaders
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating and maintaining high-level relationships with political, non-profit advocacy, philanthropic, and/or labor leaders
• Aptitude for developing and sustaining a coherent and collective external advocacy message
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced and ever-evolving environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to develop and navigate relationships with influential individuals
• Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability
• Knowledge of the utility-scale renewable energy industry and organized labor
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices and other locations, approximately 25% annually
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with the renewable energy industry and/or labor unions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement strategic plans to support targeted renewable energy projects in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. This includes choosing the advocacy tools (e.g. paid and earned media outreach, letter writing, and organizing events) building support for key partners, managing consultants, and adhering to budgets. related to each local campaign.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with labor regional and local leaderships and developers active in the district states.
• Work with NRDC's state policy leads, government affairs staff, and other staff and represent the Natural Resources Defense Council to various stakeholders including local decision makers, renewable energy developers, and strategic partner organizations including applicable labor unions.
• Work to secure commitments from renewable energy developers to utilize a union workforce by helping to amplify the union’s benefits to the project developer and the local community.
• Contribute to landscape assessments of potential projects and recommend states and projects to focus on
• Collaborate with members and leaders of local labor unions to build buy-in and coordinate campaign plan
• Assist in developing and executing fundraising strategies, including donor outreach, grant applications, and event coordination, to support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Write, edit, and review educational and advocacy materials.
• Travel regularly for project campaign activations (hearings, public information meetings, etc) within target states, union conferences mostly in target states, developer conferences in and out of target states, and in-person team gatherings that may or may not take place at NRDC's offices.

Benefits

• Generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week
• Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements
• Matching 403b whether you contribute or not
• Hybrid Policy: The freedom to balance your time around your needs that means, 8 days per month in-office. In-office day requirements can be met with off-site work events such as retreats, conferences, and other work-related travel.
• Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree