Bioenergy campaigner

Job title: Bioenergy campaigner

Position reports to: Climate and energy program director

Position location: Washington, D.C.

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It's an approach that has worked for four decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world values people and the environment. We are focused on reforming economic drivers such as tax and trade policy that are often used to empower corporations and government to harm the environment.

Friends of the Earth’s climate and energy program challenges the root causes of the burgeoning climate crisis.  As part of this effort we are tackling the continued reliance on fossil fuels while refusing to let the drive for non-fossil energy lead to the pollution of our air and water or further threats to our health.  We promote energy efficiency and truly clean energy while fighting to end our unhealthy dependence on dirty energy sources like coal, oil, nuclear and corn ethanol.  

Basic function

Friends of the Earth is seeking a talented and dedicated individual to implement a hard-hitting campaign focused on curbing the use of first generation biofuels, including corn starch and sugar cane ethanol, creating a market for advanced biofuels while ensuring that future biofuels are truly sustainable, and ensuring that biomass used for electricity includes environmental safeguards. The bioenergy campaigner will be part of Friends of the Earth’s climate and energy program.

Principal duties and responsibilities

• Implement a strategic campaign using tactics such as research, outreach, public education, organizing, traditional and new media, and policy advocacy under the direction of the climate and energy program director;
• Conduct research and analysis to develop reports and articles, factsheets, web content and other campaign materials on bioenergy;
• Keep abreast of developments on bioenergy policy and technology;
• Coordinate and collaborate with a wide variety of environmental other stakeholders;
• Represent Friends of the Earth with the media and at public events to support both campaign and organizational objectives;
• Collaborate with Friends of the Earth’s development team to organize, activate and grow Friends of the Earth’s membership base;
• Advocate Friends of the Earth’s positions to members of congress, the administration and others, as necessary; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirement

• Two or more years of experience in policy advocacy (not necessarily environmental), organizing or legislative work at the federal or state level. An advanced degree in a suitable related field such as law, economics, agriculture, forestry or energy policy may be counted towards this experience.

Skills and knowledge

• Demonstrated commitment to the environment and social justice;
• Desire to have a major impact on policy debates through hard-hitting advocacy;
• Knowledge and understanding of legislative and executive branch processes and a strategic approach to both policy and politics;
• Ability to balance and successfully complete a wide range of campaign activities including advocacy, online and offline organizing, public speaking, policy development, research, and communications; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire trust and respect among colleagues and external partners;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and tasks at once in a self-directed manner, to work collaboratively as part of a fast-moving and results-oriented team, to work in coordination with a diverse group of coalition partners, and to work effectively in a changing environment;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and comfort presenting material to a wide range of audiences, including the public, the press, businesses and government officials;
• Excellent decision-making skills, professional initiative, time management, prioritization and networking skills;
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility and creativity;
• Willingness and ability to travel;
• Background in science, agriculture or agriculture policy preferred but not required; and
• Knowledge of biofuels policy is preferred but not required.

To apply

E-mail cover letter, resume, short writing sample and salary history to jobs@foe.org with the subject heading “bioenergy campaigner.” No mail applications or phone calls. Position will remain open until filled.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.

- See more at: http://www.foe.org/about-us/jobs/bioenergy-campaigner#sthash.Znp3t9Ol.dpuf