Government Affairs Director

Are you a dynamic, accomplished policy manager and relationship-builder wanting to make a difference on climate change? We are looking for a smart, collaborative, enthusiastic, and experienced government affairs professional to lead our Climate-Safe California policy and partnership efforts in Sacramento. Working collaboratively, we will accelerate equitable climate policy based on the latest science and the rapidly worsening climate reality globally, and in California.

About The Climate Center

The Climate Center, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, works to deliver rapid greenhouse gas reductions at scale, starting in California. Founded in 2001, The Climate Center played a key role in the tremendous growth of Community Choice Agencies (CCAs), local government-led alternatives to investor owned utilities. CCAs grew from 2 to 20 over the past 5 years and now provide 88% clean energy to over 11 million Californians.

The Climate Center has launched a bold, science-based campaign, Climate-Safe California, to accelerate climate action timelines in California, catalyzing other states, our nation and countries around the world to greater action for a climate-safe future. 

Our goal is that California, the world’s 5th largest economy, achieves net-negative emissions, the start of drawdown greater than emissions, by 2030. Our policies and programs, guided by these three key principles, must: (1) be based on the latest science, (2) ensure a just transition for workers, their families and their communities, dependent on fossil fuel industries, and, (3), prioritize climate justice to ensure that low income communities and communities of color are no longer disproportionately harmed by the production and use of fossil fuels, and the growing impacts of climate change.

The Government Affairs Director will play a key leadership role in this urgently needed campaign.

Position Description

The Government Affairs Director (GAD) is responsible for The Climate Center’s policy advocacy in California, primarily focused on policymaking at the State Capitol to realize the goals of our Climate-Safe California campaign. The GAD is an experienced policy expert who is a team player and team builder, driven to excellence, goal oriented and committed to an equitable, vibrant future for all. She/he/they will provide expert analysis and guidance on a full range of climate, clean energy, sequestration, resilience and related policy to The Climate Center’s management team and other organizational leaders and partners.

The GAD is The Climate Center’s expert on legislative, regulatory, and policy analysis. She/he/they will bring extensive experience in California climate law and policy, including drafting, reviewing and driving the passage of legislation. The GAD will have an in-depth strategic understanding of how the legislative branch can work with the regulatory and executive branches to achieve policy goals. The GAD will also play a lead role in building partnerships and coalitions to support The Center’s policy priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and regularly report on and evaluate an annual workplan that will outline how to develop and support existing policy priorities of The Climate Center across organizational initiatives;
• Build relationships and advocate for The Climate Center’s policy priorities with legislators, their staff, the governor’s office, relevant agencies, key influencers, unions, and nonprofit partners;
• Maintain knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field, serve as a resource to staff on developing issues, and make recommendations to adjust organizational and statewide campaign strategies assuring that The Climate Center has the appropriate advocacy and policy plans to achieve its goals;
• Develop policy solutions in coordination with The Climate Center’s staff, advisors, coalition partners, and subject matter experts;
• Develop and support production of materials (fact sheets, legislative and budget analyses, slide presentations) to improve stakeholder understanding of policy;
• Coordinate and co-develop communications between The Climate Center’s policy and other relevant consultants, and organizational leadership and staff;
• Track lobbying activities to ensure work is within the organization’s annual 501(h) election limits, and federal, state, and local reporting requirements are met;
• Recommend legislation The Climate Center supports or opposes;
• Track legislative contacts, key positions, and needed follow up, and share with relevant staff;
• Conduct media advocacy in conjunction with The Climate Center’s communication staff;
• Manage communications for all legislative and regulatory hearings, testimony, or formal presentations, including prepping relevant staff;
• Produce regular quarterly reports for the CEO and board detailing progress towards organizational goals;
• Participate in developing organizational strategic plan and the annual budget for policy program;
• Assist with fundraising activities; and,
• Other activities as determined by the Chief Operating Officer.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five-seven years of experience researching and advocating for climate, energy, environmental or related policies in Sacramento, serving as a legislative chief of staff, legislative director, or for a nonprofit organization or equivalent;
• Demonstrated well-developed network of contacts among policymakers and their influencers;
• Experience in effective strategy development and coalition building;
• Extensive knowledge of legislative and administrative processes and experience analyzing and interpreting legislative and regulatory language;
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; experience as a public spokesperson and advocate; ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences; a “quick study” on a dynamic array of issues.
• Excellent advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with other staff and other organizations;
• Demonstrated ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum;
• Ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and to adjust to frequently changing demands;
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of climate change as an issue;
• Ability to build relationships with relevant policy partners (eg, with government, policy shops, academic institutions, NGO partners);
• Demonstrated understanding of community organizing and power building;
• Ability to develop educational and outreach materials;
• Commitment to climate action and good sense of humor!

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. The Climate Center also offers an excellent benefits package. 

Benefits Package:

• Generous medical, dental and vision plan
• 401(k) plan with opportunity for match.
• Dynamic and supportive team atmosphere

At The Climate Center, we care about each other and know that each employee has a whole life that includes time outside of work. The Climate Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. We value diversity and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications.

Application Process

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter, resume, short writing sample and 3-5 references with your application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials by December 31, 2020. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.