Washington Representative

Union of Concerned Scientists•Washington, DC

18h•$109,232•Hybrid

About The Position

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives. For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include: Science in the service of people and the planet. Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations. Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions. Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. The Position Washington Representatives plan, coordinate, and participate in advocacy for the Clean Transportation policy agenda before Congress and the Administration, and to educate Congress, the Executive Branch, nongovernmental organizations, business groups, and the media about the agenda. Washington Representatives work as part of a Programmatic team in collaboration with all Program staff, especially Campaign Directors, Managers, Campaign and Outreach Coordinators, to develop constituent legislative outreach strategies, represent UCS before the media and public, identify policy opportunities for grass top individuals, Science Network members and other supports, and write brief products in support of advocacy work. Approximately 80% of this role is focused on external advocacy efforts. UCS employees center their work on UCS’s core values of racial equity and environmental justice. They work collaboratively to ensure the effective operations of the Program, center ani-racism and equity in internal and external work, and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and transparent environment where all staff can thrive and grow.

Requirements

BA or MA degree; studies in public policy and political science preferred.
7+ years of relevant experience which could include academic-related work experience, including at least 5 years of comparable level legislative, lobbying, regulatory, research, or advocacy experience, preferably on issues related to environmental, climate, transportation policy demonstrated success in designing and leading legislative and executive branch campaigns.
Substantive understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes, including advocacy/lobbying techniques and strategies, legislative strategy, and policymaking in both the legislative and executive branches.
Innovation skills; ability to develop novel applications for existing data streams.
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, internally and with external stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds.
An understanding of how advocacy fits into effective issue campaigns.
Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences and to convey technical information to non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with scientists or other professionals who may be experts and/or prominent in their fields is strongly preferred, as is an understanding of the role of science in the policy-making process. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.
Knowledge and familiarity with racial equity and inclusion principles and how race and other identities intersect in the work, particularly in scientific, policymaking, and environmental communities. Must be comfortable talking about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability and its present-day implications.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.
Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents.

Responsibilities

Advance Policy Agenda
Design, develop, support, and lead legislative strategies, providing UCS input into legislation, lobby/educate legislators and their staff on policy proposals.
Identify target policymakers and implement strategies to influence them by mobilizing UCS supporters, scientists, and other stakeholders.
Work with the White House and federal agencies to advance the Clean Transportation program’s regulatory agenda. Provide UCS input into implementation actions and rulemaking.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with congressional representatives, committees, and their staff, as well as allied organizations.
In Congress, work to develop champions and supporters on Program priority issues, with an intentional focus on including BIPOC leaders as champions.
Prepare UCS leadership for meetings with the White House, Congress, and agency leadership.
Respond to Washington requests for scientific information and policy design proposals, partnering with UCS analysts and scientists to deliver technical information to policymakers and other relevant audiences.
Collaborate with UCS Outreach and campaign colleagues to identify opportunities to mobilize grassroots individuals, Science Network members, and supporters to contribute to advocacy of policy agenda with members of Congress and other decision-makers.
Collaborate with Outreach colleagues, provide regular updates on the status of key legislation and policy issues, develop target lists, and outline key votes needed to advance Program priorities. Power-map public officials and identify influential constituents with whom UCS can uniquely collaborate.
Participate and collaborate in relevant internal UCS coordination spaces (such as cross-Program legislative meetings).
Maintain working knowledge of, and monitor, the policy landscape for select programmatic issues. Track progress of legislation and regulations in Congress and at federal agencies, respectively, and identify opportunities for action. Monitor daily print media, blogs, and social media for pertinent coverage of policy issues. Conduct research on actors who oppose UCS’s regulatory and legislative agendas.
Collaborate with relevant experts, other UCS staff, and external partners on developing new UCS policy positions. Socialize draft positions, gain consensus on approval/disapproval, and maintain a transparent record of decision-making. Make recommendations to leadership on supporting bills, sign-on letters, and comments.
Provide policy and political guidance to inform the Program team’s annual and longer-term planning processes.
Help train UCS experts and staff to do effective constituency meetings with congressional offices.
UCS employees in external-facing roles are required to maintain awareness of the role as a representative of UCS, ensure activities and statements enhance the organization's reputation and credentials among press, public, and private sectors, promote UCS, advance organizational objectives, and enhance funding opportunities.
Represent UCS, lead, support and participate in coalitions, working groups of coalitions, other external meetings, events, and conferences.
In consultation with other team staff, coordinate lobbying, outreach, and media work.
Help respond to press inquiries on select issues and elevate announcements and news on social media.
Contribute to Program funder proposals and reports and join funder calls.
Alongside Campaign colleagues, participate in developing and implementing strategies focused on education and outreach to policymakers and other Washington-based stakeholders.
May manage or co-manage campaign and project work for defined issue areas, such as a campaign, sub-campaign, or initiative. Run regular campaign/project check-in meetings and serve as project manager for the development of publications, advocacy materials, and other deliverables.
Understand and value accurate data for the assessment, learning, tracking, and reporting of UCS’s impact; routinely track the impact of your work to share with internal and external stakeholders; maintain and safeguard confidential UCS supporter and ally data.
Monitor and track progress of relevant legislation and executive action, collaborate with Program staff to produce testimony, fact sheets, briefing papers, op-eds, as well as other advocacy materials, and work with Communications staff to respond to and elevate key federal developments through press releases, social media and or blogs.
Support and participate in UCS's internal efforts to create an ani-racist and inclusive work environment. Contribute to creating a culture in which all staff on the team are safe, respected, and heeded, and BIPOC people thrive.