Senior Policy Specialist, Clean Energy

Overview

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The Federation’s mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

The Federation is committed to inspiring all people around our shared love of nature and wildlife by creating a welcoming and inclusive community representative of all Americans.

Job Details

Senior Policy Specialist, Clean Energy

Location:

Washington, DC (hybrid work option, telework available) — reporting to the Associate Vice President of Climate and Energy. Works with the Climate and Energy and Offshore Wind teams in Washington, D.C.

To advance our mission, we are seeking a full-time Senior Policy Specialist, Clean Energy to join our Climate and Energy team. The team advances domestic policies at federal, regional, and state levels that curb greenhouse gas emissions, speed an equitable transition to clean energy on- and offshore, decarbonize industry, and expand natural and technological carbon removal. NWF seeks to grow bipartisan support for short- and long-term policy action on climate, working with a range of partners to build diverse coalitions.

The Senior Policy Specialist, Clean Energy will help shape and bring leadership to NWF’s policy and advocacy priorities with regards to the needed expansion of responsibly developed clean energy in the United States, integrating commitments to climate stabilization, habitat and natural resource conservation, environmental justice, and community engagement. You will report to the AVP of Climate and Energy and collaborate with colleagues across teams and regional offices.

You will serve as a primary in-house expert on clean energy technologies and policy options, helping guide the Federation’s activities to advance the environmentally and socially responsible buildout of renewable and low-/zero-carbon energy at the pace and scale needed to stabilize our climate, while avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating negative impacts to wildlife habitat and elevating host communities’ needs. You will advise and collaborate with the AVP and colleagues from the climate, offshore wind, public and private lands, environmental justice, Tribal outreach, and other teams in shaping and representing clean energy policy for NWF.

You will perform policy analysis, advocacy, research, writing, public and media education, coalition building and maintenance, and intra-organizational communication and coordination.

• Policy Analysis and Advocacy
  • Congress:
    Serve as the team’s primary point person for Congressional strategy and outreach on clean energy, staying current on policy opportunities (including appropriations), building relationships with key offices and staff, and striving for bipartisanship.
  • Federal Agencies:
    Advocate for policy solutions at the Department of Energy, the Bureau of Land Management, and other agencies to steer the energy sector toward responsible decarbonization. Monitor and lead responses to key regulatory actions through public comments and communications strategies.
  • States:
    Provide input to the Senior Program Manager for Climate and Energy Policy on the development of a state policy hub and on identification of potential model state legislation and targeted advocacy opportunities.
  • Analysis:
    In collaboration with the AVP and team, help guide policy on permitting and emerging areas of importance.
  • Other Advocacy Duties:
    Occasionally represent NWF and our clean energy policy goals in the media and assist with public statements.
• Coalition Participation and Partnership Development
  • Lead NWF engagement in NGO-industry groups on clean energy, including…