About The Climate Center

The Climate Center is a climate and energy policy nonprofit working to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California. We believe in vibrant, healthy communities. We envision a future where everyone in California enjoys clean air and water, renewable and reliable energy, healthy food, thriving nature, and more.

Since our founding in 2001, The Climate Center has been dedicated to making climate solutions a reality in California at speed and scale. We are a think-tank, do-tank working to turn bold ideas into action for a climate-safe future. We know that as goes California, so goes the world. We partner with business, local government, labor, academia, and environmental and environmental justice organizations to deliver the equitable climate solutions that science demands. We also pride ourselves in having a supportive organizational team culture.

All of The Climate Center’s work is guided by three core principles: follow the latest science, prioritize climate justice, and secure a just transition for oil and gas workers.

Our staff and experts are laser-focused on equitably reducing climate pollution at the speed and scale necessary to ensure that California is doing its part to secure a climate-safe future. We are committed to living our values of ambition, collaboration, equity, inclusion, innovation, and responsibility.Our staff and experts are laser-focused on equitably reducing climate pollution at the speed and scale necessary to ensure that California is doing its part to secure a climate-safe future. We are committed to living our values of ambition, collaboration, equity, inclusion, innovation, and responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Community Energy Resilience Director leads the Community Energy Resilience (CER) Initiative, working to create a cleaner, more reliable and resilient electricity system for California, prioritizing clean energy development in vulnerable communities that suffer the most from air pollution and power outages. In addition, this position is responsible for supporting and promoting policy that builds community resilience in response to the impacts of climate change, including wildfire, heat, drought, and sea level rise. Responsibilities include fundraising, budgeting, strategic planning, communications, policy recommendations, and coordinating with staff and contractors in the following areas:

Legislative: Monitoring related legislation being considered by the California legislature and the US Congress; drafting and advocating for California legislation to advance CER goals; working with in-house and contract lobbyists and partner organizations to get initiative priorities through the legislature and signed by the governor;
Regulatory: Monitoring related California Public Utility Commission proceedings and California Energy Commission developments and programs, and directing The Climate Center (TCC) participation in CER-related proceedings, including drafting and filing comments with the relevant agencies;
Coalition Building: Developing and maintaining coalitions of organizations supporting Community Resilience and CER legislative and regulatory policy goals; organizing in person and zoom meetings as needed;
Policy Development: Tracking trends in the industry and among relevant coalitions and partners and proposing policy that will support the goals of Climate-Safe California; and analyzing the policy of key partners; writing factsheets, FAQs, flyers, position papers, and white papers that explain CER policy priorities;
Communication: Assisting the communications team by writing blogs, social media posts, bill summaries, op-eds, and producing webinar and event content on Community Resilience and CER:
Project Development: When relevant to refining or demonstrating TCC policy priorities, building the capacity of, and supporting the development of local community efforts in community energy resilience planning which leads to construction of community energy resilience projects in vulnerable communities;
Responsible for annual workplan and budget for the Community Energy Resilience initiative;
Helping write, execute on, and do the reporting for public and private grants;
Other work assigned by the CPO.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and at least seven years of related work experience
Strong understanding of the distributed renewable energy landscape including vehicle to grid integration and both policies and technologies
Demonstrated acumen in climate science, policy, and environmental justice principles
Familiarity with the California legislative and regulatory process and experience with policy advocacy
Able to think strategically and plan based on desired outcomes
Experience working in coalitions and building partnerships toward a common goal
Experience working with or in the clean energy industry
Strong research and analytical skills
Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle competing priorities
Self-motivated and ability to work both independently and as a part of a team
Highly organized and ability to pay close attention to detail
Any fundraising/grant experience is a plus
Proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and online platforms necessary for a remote work environment

Salary Range and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $90,000 to 125,000 depending on experience.

Benefits include:

Paid vacation of 3 weeks per year to start

7 scheduled holidays, plus winter break (Dec. 25-Jan. 1) and 2 floating holidays

Paid sick leave of 13 days per year

Medical, Dental and Vision (100% employee premium and 50% dependent premium paid by The Climate Center)

401k retirement savings with annual employer match, budget permitting

Life insurance

Application

Required for consideration is a cover letter explaining your qualifications and interest in making a difference on climate change along with a resume. Three to five references will be required for applicants moving beyond the first interview. The position will remain open until filled. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Thank you!

At The Climate Center, we care about and support each other in the workplace setting. We also recognize 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, gender identity, 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.

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Community Energy Resilience Director