Washington Representative

Overview

Washington Representative

Permanent

Clean Transportation

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote/Hybrid - located within 50 miles of DC

Bargaining Unit Position:
Yes

Our Organization

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet.
• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

The Position

Washington Representatives plan, coordinate, and participate in advocacy for the Clean Transportation policy agenda before Congress and the Administration, and to educate Congress, the Executive Branch, nongovernmental organizations, business groups, and the media about the agenda. Washington Representatives work as part of a Programmatic team in collaboration with all Program staff, especially Campaign Directors, Managers, Campaign and Outreach Coordinators, to develop constituent legislative outreach strategies, represent UCS before the media and public, identify policy opportunities for grass tops individuals, Science Network members and other supports, and write brief products in support of advocacy work.

Approximately 80% of this role is focused on external advocacy efforts. UCS employees center their work on UCS's core values of racial equity and environmental justice. They work collaboratively to ensure the effective operations of the Program, center ani-racism and equity in internal and external work, and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and transparent environment where all staff can thrive and grow.

Responsibilities

• Advance Policy Agenda

• Design, develop, support, and lead legislative strategies, providing UCS input into legislation, lobby/educate legislators and their staff on policy proposals.
• Identify target policymakers and implement strategies to influence them by mobilizing UCS supporters, scientists, and other stakeholders.
• Work with the White House and federal agencies to advance the Clean Transportation program's regulatory agenda. Provide UCS input into implementation actions and rule making. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with congressional representatives, committees, and their staff, as well as allied organizations.
• In Congress, work to develop champions and supporters on Program priority issues, with an intentional focus on including BIPOC leaders as champions.
• Prepare UCS leadership for meetings with the White House, Congress, and agency leadership.
• Respond to Washington requests for scientific information and policy design proposals, partnering with UCS analysts and scientists to deliver technical information to policymakers and other relevant audiences.
• Collaborate with UCS Outreach and campaign colleagues to identify opportunities to mobilize grassroots individuals, Science Network members, and supporters to contribute to advocacy of policy agenda with members of Congress and other decision-makers.
• Collaborate with Outreach colleagues, provide regular updates on the status of key legislation and policy issues, develop target lists, and outline key votes needed to advance Program priorities. Power-map public officials and identify influential constituents with whom UCS can uniquely collaborate.
• Participate and collaborate in relevant internal UCS coordination spaces (such as cross-Program legislative meetings).

• Policy Development

• Maintain working knowledge of, and monitor, the policy landscape for select programmatic issues. Track progress of legislation and regulations in Congress and at federal agencies, respectively, and identify opportunities for action. Monitor daily print media, blogs, and social media for pertinent coverage of policy issues. Conduct research on actors who oppose UCS's regulatory and legislative agendas.
• Collaborate with relevant experts, other UCS staff, and external partners on developing new UCS policy positions. Socialize draft positions, gain consensus on approval/disapproval, and maintain a transparent record of decision-making. Make recommendations to…