State Climate Policy Manager

Pacific Environment works to protect communities and wildlife of the Pacific Rim. We support community leaders to fight climate change, protect the oceans, build just societies and move away from fossil fuels toward a green economy. Learn more at www.pacificenvironment.org. Pacific Environment campaigns to eliminate fossil fuel use from the shipping industry within their climate division by building strong regulatory frameworks to achieve zero-emission shipping on a timeline commensurate with the climate emergency; pressuring corporate customers to demand zero-emission ships; and influencing ports on the Pacific West Coast and beyond to end fossil fuel build-out and ready themselves for zero-emission shipping instead. We focus on environmental justice, labor equity and science-based timelines for climate action.

Position overview

Pacific Environment seeks a State Climate Policy Manager to advance our climate priorities and provide critical policy support for Pacific Environment's campaigns on zero-emission shipping and ports in California. They will provide research, writing and analytical support to execute the Climate Program's legislative and campaign priorities, administrative support for meetings and events. The successful candidate will have policy advocacy experience, specifically legislative experience, at the California or state-level and a passion for solving the climate crisis. This position will report to the Climate Policy Director.

Location

This position is remote and requires working West Coast time zone hours, with a strong preference for physical presence in Sacramento, California. While most work will be completed remotely, there will be travel obligations for in-person legislative and regulatory hearings, meetings and events in California. In addition, the position may involve multi-state support with domestic or international travel. Pacific Environment is sensitive to COVID-19 and other potential obstacles to safe travel.

Responsibilities

• Advocate before the California Legislature, at regulatory hearings and stakeholder meetings
• Serve as Pacific Environment's legislative lead in California to support adoption of CA's shipping regulations
• Lead engagement at CPUC, CEC and CalSTA
• Support engagement at CARB and Go-BIZ
• Lead on bill tracking for California
• Crafting position letters, public testimony, fact sheets and policy papers in support of PE's policy and legislative priorities
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with decision-makers, community groups and key partners
• Represent Pacific Environment with the press, in coalitions with key allies and in key policy forums
• Conduct research and analysis to support policy development
• Carry out various advocacy tactics such as grassroots organizing, traditional and digital outreach, engaging policymakers, in-person mobilization tactics, etc.
• Coordinate closely with Pacific Environment's federal and international teams to align with broader organizational priorities
• Other tasks as determined by the Climate Policy Director

Key qualifications

• At least five (5) years of previous work experience, particularly with policy advocacy or environmental and social change organizations, with a strong track record of driving tangible outcomes.
• Proven track record of delivering successful advocacy initiatives, bringing together several strategies (grassroots organizing, traditional and digital outreach, engaging policymakers, in-person mobilization tactics, etc.)
• Demonstrated professional experience with California legislative and regulatory landscape and process
• Familiarity with state agencies and proceedings overseeing air quality and energy (e.g., CPUC, CARB, CEC, BAAQMD) is a plus
• Comfortable working in the spotlight or behind the scenes; knows when to speak up, ask questions and steer the conversation with clarity and confidence.
• Experience working in coalition and building organizational partnerships across issues and forging trust across lines of differences.
• Experience working with communities most impacted by the climate crisis, with a particular eye for those most impacted by racial & economic injustice
• Adept in engaging labor and workforce partners is a strong plus
• Experience in maritime decarbonization is a strong plus
• Highly resourceful with excellent organizational and project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated critical and strategic thinking abilities and have proactive approach to problem solving
• Ability to problem-solve and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment is essential
• Positive adaptability and a can-do attitude
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and online research tools necessary for a remote working environment

Relevant experience for this position can take many forms, and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds.

Compensation and benefits ($80,000 - $90,000)

Pacific Environment provides compensation commensurate with experience and equitable with others on our team, plus a full benefits package for staff positions. The benefits include medical, dental, vision, 403b retirement planning with employer match, WFH stipend, generous PTO, sabbatical for tenured staff and professional development reimbursements. The salary range is carefully considered to account for equity and the final offer will be based on candidate's qualifications. The employee will enjoy a flexible working environment with a dedicated, diverse group of colleagues.

Physical requirements

The State Climate Policy Manager work involves remaining in a stationary position and looking at a computer for long stretches of time, communicating with co-workers electronically and frequent travel (including overnight travel), in-person meetings or events. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Pacific Environment has an organization-wide policy that staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Pacific Environment is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from communities harmed by environmental degradation and from backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply. We welcome diversity to do our best work and believe that creating teams in which everyone can be their authentic self is key to the change we seek.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Pacific Environment. Please inform our HR team by emailing [email protected] if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application or interview process.

Pacific Environment participates in the E-Verify Program: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees

No phone calls, please.