Policy Advocate, New Jersey

Policy Advocate, New Jersey

NRDC is seeking a Policy Advocate, New Jersey to join the Northeast Regional team of the Climate and Energy Program. Our team is committed to transitioning to a clean energy economy and addressing energy and environmental inequities through partnership, building the environmental movement and ambitious, effective policies. This position will be an integral part of the program's advocacy success and requires: a commitment to advancing a just, equitable, and sustainable clean energy future in New Jersey; working collaboratively and in a team-based setting with both internal and external partners; the ability to represent NRDC with decision-makers and in the media and other public forums with credibility and enthusiasm; and, the willingness to travel to Trenton and other NJ localities to advance NRDC's policy goals.

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).

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Develop, build support for, and advance a broad portfolio of equitable climate and clean energy policies, including energy efficiency, power sector decarbonization, renewable energy, and building and transportation sector electrification.
• Build durable partnerships and collaborate with state clean energy coalitions and a network of allies, including the environmental community, environmental justice organizations, frontline and community groups most impacted by environmental injustices, utilities, consumer and low-income advocates, labor, the faith community, and clean energy businesses.
• Develop and nurture relationships with state decision-makers and elected officials;
• Provide written and oral advocacy to further NRDC's priorities with the New Jersey legislature, the executive branch, the Board of Public Utilities and state agencies;
• Conduct policy research and analysis to develop and support positions;
• Represent NRDC at conferences and serve as the key New Jersey spokesperson in the press for NRDC's climate and clean energy mission, including partnering with the Communications team to respond to media requests and develop advocacy materials to amplify NRDC's message;
• Collaborate with a multi-faceted internal team of policy, campaign, and communications experts to advance a diverse portfolio of policy initiatives.
• In partnership with the Climate and Energy department's Regional Director, Northeast and other staff, set strategic goals and priorities, budgets, and timelines, and deploy consultants and partners to meet project timelines and objectives.
• Be a central part of a strong and collegial team that is focused on collaboration, approaches advocacy with innovation and optimism, and is committed to leveraging the full range of expertise within NRDC and among its partners to drive change.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Law degree, Master's degree or other related advanced degree
• 4+ years of work experience related to environment, climate, energy policy, or a related field
• Experience in state-level clean energy and climate advocacy
• Experience navigating diverse stakeholders, building consensus on policy issues, and driving toward positive outcomes within a team, in a coalition, and with other external partners - particularly with partners that reach beyond the traditional environmental community
• Experience building and cultivating relationships within administrative, regulatory, or legislative fora
• Demonstrated success managing projects and engaging in public advocacy

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• A sense of mission and passion for public interest and environmental advocacy
• Broad-based interest in climate and clean energy work, including the ability to quickly get up to speed on NRDC's policy priorities
• Ability to represent NRDC with maturity, judgment and professionalism
• Strong oral and written advocacy skills, including a willingness to represent NRDC in a variety of public forums and in the media
• Willingness and ability to register as a state lobbyist
• Ability to travel to Trenton, NJ, as well as to NRDC's other U.S offices and locations as needed
• Commitment to NRDC's mission, values, and DEI principles

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.

Frequently : Perform desk-based computer tasks

Frequently : Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary

Frequently : Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers

Occasionally : Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.