Union of Concerned Scientists: California Policy Advocate

UCS seeks a smart and savvy advocate for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and other science-based solutions to climate change. You will be joining a team of California-based colleagues who are working to further the Golden State’s leadership on these issues, providing a much-needed example to the world of how to decarbonize a major economy while preparing for the unavoidable impacts of a changing climate, and delivering equitable solutions that benefit all Californians. As our California Policy Advocate, you will represent UCS on these issues to legislative offices and committees, administration and agency staff, other non-profits, civic and community organizations, environmental justice partners, and other stakeholders. You’ll also work closely with other UCS staff to integrate our policy advocacy with our research and outreach, develop materials, and represent UCS at events.

Responsibilities
Help shape and implement advocacy efforts in support of the UCS policy agenda for California
Educate California policymakers, staff, and stakeholders about UCS’s views on policy issues relating to climate change, transportation, and energy.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with CA state legislative offices and committees, as well as administration and agency officials.
Write and edit advocacy materials. Involve UCS analysts to provide technical information on transportation, energy, and climate policy as necessary.
Represent UCS at public events and conferences. Present information on UCS policy agenda to various groups, including regulators, legislative committees, and civic and community organizations.
Help develop relationships with relevant stakeholders representing Latinx communities in California.
Track relevant legislation, hearings, and activities in the state legislature.

Qualifications and experience:

You’ll need a substantive understanding of the legislative process, advocacy techniques, legislative strategy, and policymaking, as well as familiarity with the relevant legislative committees. Excellent oral and written communications skills are essential, as is an understanding of how advocacy fits in to effective issue campaigns. Background and policy expertise in clean energy and climate change is strongly preferred. Position also requires the ability to learn quickly, and strong time management skills.

This position requires five to seven years of comparable and relevant experience. Proven advocacy and communication skills, along with experience working either in state legislature, as a lobbyist, or for NGOs working to influence governmental decision-making, is necessary. Must have experience working with Latinx communities. Applicants should also demonstrate strong research skills, a positive, team-oriented work ethic, and the ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.
A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master’s degree or JD is desirable. Proficiency in word processing and database software is required.
Approximately one-day per week travel to the West Coast office in Oakland, California is required.
At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. We are actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work.

A full job description may be found here.