Clean Buildings Policy Manager

Climate Solutions seeks a smart, innovative Clean Buildings Policy Manager in Oregon with a deep commitment to equitable and just climate and clean energy solutions to further the organization’s mission through concrete program and policy work and building diverse coalitions at the local, state, and regional levels.

Climate Solutions is focused on accelerating a swift and equitable transition to 100% clean energy, and we are working in three key areas- buildings, transportation, and electricity- to achieve it. The Clean Buildings Program Manager is responsible for leading Climate Solutions work in Oregon on clean buildings, with a primary focus on building electrification and equitably phasing out the use of gas and other fossil fuels to power them. The staffer will drive our work to pass and implement cutting-edge policies at the state, local, regulatory, and utility levels, working closely with other Climate Solutions staff and a broad set of partners.

As a Northwest-based nonprofit, Climate Solutions' mission is to accelerate clean energy solutions to the climate crisis. Since 1998, Climate Solutions has the vision of a thriving, equitable Northwest, powered by clean energy, inspiring the transition to sustainable prosperity across the country and beyond. Climate Solutions advances local, regional, and state action on climate and clean energy through championing transformational policies and market-based innovations; catalyzing powerful partnerships and a diverse movement for action and accountability; and communicating a bold vision for solutions at the scale required by climate science. For more information about Climate Solutions, visit www.climatesolutions.org.

The position is a full-time, exempt position located in Portland and supervised by the Oregon State Director. Our offices are currently closed due to COVID restrictions, so the ability to work remotely will be necessary during this time.                         

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with other Climate Solutions programs and partner organizations to develop and advance equitable and just policy goals, including research and outreach to subject matter experts, community experts, and other stakeholders to further inform the organization’s policy positions.
• Draft materials to support policy and regulatory efforts, including formal comment letters, testimony, and regulatory and legislative proposals. Research, analyze, and prepare campaign and communications materials, including factsheets, briefings, analyses, and blog posts, as assigned, in collaboration with other Climate Solutions team members.
• Develop long-term, accountable relationships and inclusive strategies by collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including community of color-led organizations, environmental justice partners, and others who have knowledge of communities’ lived experience of climate impacts and priorities.
• Collaborate and create inclusive coalitions with stakeholders, partners, and potential allies to encourage, support, and promote passage of climate, clean energy and clean buildings’ policies at the local, utility, regulatory and state levels.
• Represent Climate Solutions among its stakeholders, local and state elected officials, business, and opinion leaders, including doing public presentations, participating in public forums, and testifying at hearings.
• Lead and track Climate Solutions’ engagement in multiple policy and campaign activities, managing calendars, deadlines and participation from other staff and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain a high level of expertise and credibility in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Participate in Climate Solutions staff meetings, trainings, racial equity conversations, and team meetings.  Lead or coordinate meetings when appropriate.
• Incorporate Climate Solutions’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion commitments, Commitment to Leading our Work with a Racial Equity Lens, and Climate Solutions’ values into all aspects of the job.
• Meet staff reporting deadlines for program, development, and administrative tasks.
• Additional duties may be assigned within the course of the work.

DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES

Skills and Knowledge:

• Expertise or experience with policies, technologies, and trends to advance equitable and just climate and buildings policy.
• Ability to understand, learn, analyze, and communicate complex technical information to diverse expert and lay audiences, including legislative and regulatory policy in buildings.
• Knowledge of how climate change, climate policy, and mitigation strategies impact different communities, especially communities of color, workers, low-income communities, and people from different geographic regions.
• Experience working with diverse communities to create policy, especially on buildings and climate.
• Familiarity and facility with a range of written and electronic communications tools, including social media and email communications.
• Ability to draft materials targeted to a wide variety of audiences, including local elected officials, legislators, activists, labor and business leaders, and coalition partners.
• Flexibility and desire to work with a team and independently.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple short-term and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Collaborative and inclusive in your approach to your work and in your relationships with your colleagues.
• Fluency with Microsoft Windows and Office Software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and specialized software applications in a network environment.
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Climate Solutions.

Experience: 

• Three years of experience working in advocacy and policy spaces, with a preference for experience advancing climate, clean energy and/or buildings policy goals.

• Experience with, and knowledge of, at least one of the following: state or local politics or legislative, utility, or regulatory processes.

• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity within our systems. A demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.

REMUNERATION

The minimum salary is $68,000 with the potential for a higher salary based on previous experience. We also offer generous benefits, including medical, dental, six weeks of paid leave (accrued annually), flexible holidays, and retirement.

TO APPLY

• Email your résumé and a 1-2 page letter addressing the following question in PDF format to employment@climatesolutions.org 
• Question: What excites you about working for Climate Solutions to advance equitable climate and clean buildings policy solutions in Oregon, and what experiences and perspectives would you bring to this role?

• Please put Clean Buildings Policy Manager and YOUR NAME as the subject line of the email and label the resume with your first and last name.
• In the body of the email, please let us know how you found out about the position.
• This position is open until filled. Résumé review will start around May 17th.