Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Climate Alliance

Job Details

Description

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000.

Position Overview

The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing America’s net-zero future with state-led, high-impact climate action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its member states and territories accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and resources. It also coordinates engagement with local, federal, and international partners to drive durable and impactful solutions across government. For more on the Alliance, visit www.usclimatealliance.org.

The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to support governors’ offices in the advancement of policy solutions in the electricity sector. This position serves as primary advisor to Alliance members on relevant state and federal policy matters; manages day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Group and relevant cohorts, including on nuclear and geothermal energy; leads activities of the State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative; provides guidance to states in the development and implementation of relevant state-level policies and programs; maintains relationships with sectoral national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities; tracks sector-based policy actions at the state and federal levels and regularly updates members; advises on and supports sector-based technical assistance projects; and collaborates with the Alliance’s federal affairs team to facilitate state engagement on key federal rules and actions. They may also be expected to advise on additional policy sectors as assigned.

The Senior Policy Advisor reports to the Policy Director and works as part of a broader team that includes Alliance states, consultants, and external partners.

The position is based in Washington, D.C., with consideration for remote work in the contiguous United States (hybrid schedule).

Essential Functions

Provide policy guidance to states and track relevant policy developments

• Support Alliance members in the development, adoption, and implementation of state-level policies and programs related to the electricity sector, identifying opportunities to raise ambition where possible.
• Provide Alliance states with expert guidance, tools, and resources to act on emerging policy opportunities and demonstrate political and sectoral leadership.
• Contribute to the Alliance’s policy tracking efforts by conducting research, actively monitoring relevant updates at the state and federal levels, and supporting regular updates to the Alliance’s Policy Database.
• Oversee technical assistance projects that support specific-sector policy priorities, including managing vendors, ensuring grant deliverables are met, and supporting state policy activities based on project outcomes.
• Help states identify and secure sources of federal, private-sector, and philanthropic resources to accelerate policy advancement in the electricity sector.
• Maintain relationships with relevant national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities.
• Advise on additional policy sector(s) as assigned and provide back-up coverage for at least one additional sector.

Lead and develop multistate working group(s), initiatives, and convenings

• Direct and manage day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Group and subject-specific cohorts (e.g., nuclear and geothermal energy), including developing and leading standing meetings and regular communications.
• Consult with states on areas of focus, agenda development, and identification of action items and key barriers.
• Support the development and execution of new multistate policy efforts (e.g., cohorts, task forces, partnerships) that leverage opportunities for collective ambition, policy adoption, goal-setting, or market transformation.
• Engage stakeholders and key external partners to scope and implement projects.
• Track and follow up on action items.

Generate policy option papers, resource guides, letters, communications materials, and other major Alliance deliverables

• Draft briefing papers and guides for states that analyze policy development and opportunities in the electricity sector, making recommendations that are ambitious, politically feasible, and technologically possible.
• Conduct policy research, analyze key sector trends, and draft chapters of the Alliance’s annual report outlining progress toward climate goals.
• Lead the development and submission of multistate or coalition-wide letters to the federal government, in collaboration with the Alliance’s federal affairs team.
• Draft remarks, talking points, and other relevant communication materials.
• Contribute to products that help Alliance states improve quantification of opportunities, measure progress toward policy goals, and quantify co-benefits of action.
• Conduct research and draft materials for Alliance products across other sectors as needed.

Shape content and strategy for Alliance-wide meetings, workshops, and events

• Work with Secretariat leadership, Alliance states, and outside experts to prepare meeting content and materials.
• Participate in the Alliance’s Semiannual Governor-Office Team Meetings, including leading sector-specific sessions and developing relevant content.
• Contribute to invitation lists and partner outreach for Alliance meetings and events.

Support fundraising for relevant policy efforts

• Identify funding needs to execute on Alliance states’ electricity sector goals and support the development team with sector-based fundraising efforts.
• Help write and submit grant applications for additional philanthropic funding.

Manage relevant grants

• Provide oversight and technical expertise for philanthropic grants supporting electricity sector activities.
• Manage spending against relevant budgets in coordination with the operations team.
• Review new contracts and grant agreements related to electricity sector activities.
• Evaluate and contribute to funding award decisions for state technical assistance projects.
• Provide expertise, oversight, and support for funded technical assistance projects.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree with substantial work experience in climate, energy, and/or environment policy; master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of professional experience in related policy areas; extensive experience working with governments required; state-level experience strongly preferred.
• Commitment to advancing U.S. policy solutions addressing climate change, reducing pollution, and increasing resilience.
• Demonstrated aptitude for research, analysis, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and in-person communication skills.
• Ability to tailor products to different audiences with minimal direction.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and building consensus; multistate or national coalition experience strongly preferred.
• Adaptability and eagerness to learn new policy areas.
• Familiarity with U.S. climate-related datasets and tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and data display tools.
• Ability to work in a small team and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and solutions-oriented.
• Ability to diplomatically engage diverse counterparts and handle sensitive information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.

Required Application Materials

You must upload your resume and a cover letter for this position here. Applications without both items will not be considered.

Benefits and Compensation

For full-time, U.S. benefit-eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• Choice between two UnitedHealthcare health plans (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with generous matching contribution
• Group term and supplemental life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Back-up care
• Employee assistance program

Benefit-eligible employees also receive:

• 12 paid holidays
• 20 vacation days
• 10 sick days
• 3 personal days
• 8 weeks of family leave care

Qualifications

Education

Required: Bachelor’s or better
Preferred: Master’s or better

Experience

Required: 7–10 years of professional experience in related policy areas, including extensive experience working with governments; state-level experience strongly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.