Clean Energy Transmission Policy Specialist

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six 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.

To advance our mission, we are seeking a full-time Clean Energy Transmission Policy Specialist to join our Climate and Energy team, working out of our National Advocacy Center in Washington, DC, with telework or remote options. (Due to COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until we make return to work decisions.) Our Climate and Energy team advances domestic policies primarily at the federal level that curb greenhouse gas emissions, speed an equitable transition to clean energy and industry, and expand natural and technological carbon removal. NWF seeks to grow bipartisan support for short- and long-term congressional and executive action on climate, working with a range of partners to build diverse coalitions. The Specialist will help develop NWF’s policy and advocacy priorities with regards to the needed deployment of additional clean energy transmission capacity in the United States, integrating our commitments to climate stabilization, habitat and natural resource conservation, environmental justice, and community engagement. You will report to the Senior Director of Climate and Energy Policy, and work alongside the rest of the team in Washington, D.C.

As the Clean Energy Transmission Policy Specialist, you will play a central role in a new Federation initiative that advances the environmentally and socially responsible buildout of more resilient grid infrastructure that can better incorporate and support renewable and zero/low-carbon energy technologies at the pace and scale needed to stabilize our rapidly changing climate, and provide communities more reliable power in the face of increasingly frequent and more intense climate-change related weather events. You will advise and collaborate with the senior director and colleagues from the climate, public lands, environmental justice, Tribal outreach, and other teams and regional offices in shaping and representing clean energy transmission policy for NWF. You will serve as an in-house expert on transmission policy, and will perform research, writing, policy analysis, lobbying, public and media education, coalition building and maintenance, and intra-organizational communication and coordination.

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Policy Analysis and Advocacy – You will help craft a detailed organizational policy platform on transmission; advocate for approaches at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Department of Energy (DOE) that steer the grid toward an environmentally and socially responsible buildout; keep watch on transmission deployment trends and recommend NWF engagement in key regulatory and siting actions through public comments and communications strategies; and advocate for increased government funding to bolster transmission technology innovation, plus economic development, wildlife habitat protection, and environmental and economic justice for communities in the path of the new transmission and renewable energy development.
• Coalition Participation and Partnership Development – You will lead NWF engagement in the Americans for a Clean Energy Grid coalition, the Macro Grid Initiative, and other working groups on clean energy transmission; pursue new relationships and collaborate with NGO, labor, environmental justice, Tribal, academic, and business partners to advance federal policy priorities; and work with regional staff and field organizers to identify partners at the state and local levels.
• Public Education – You will pilot engagement in key regions (the Rockies, the West, and Northeast) to facilitate stakeholder education and participation in federal rulemaking, such as by organizing virtual workshops to educate and engage community leaders, experts and academics, conservationists, sportsmen and -women, and local officials while working to understand region-specific geographic, environmental/wildlife, recreational, and cultural needs; work closely with Federation affiliates to advise and support their participation in advocacy and stakeholder dialogue; and craft educational and persuasive materials for a variety of audiences.

Qualifications:

You should possess a Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience, with a working knowledge of clean energy transmission, smart grid technology, renewable energy permitting/siting, grid resilience and modernization, energy storage, or related policy. A Master’s or other advanced degree in environmental engineering, environmental policy, climate change, environmental economics, or relevant field can count towards experience. Ideally, you will have familiarity with the U.S. political system and have issue advocacy experience, and be skilled at synthesizing and communicating information for policy or advocacy audiences in a compelling and accurate manner in writing and orally. You are well organized with excellent attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, set goals, and meet deadlines. You should be comfortable working in a dynamic team and also independently, and be a go-getter with initiative to get things done. You have strong interpersonal and networking skills with the ability to work well with diverse interests, including labor, business, conservation, and environmental justice and Tribal representatives.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Travel Requirements:

There will be some travel involved in this role, approximately 3-4 times per year when travel restrictions are lifted.

Compensation and Benefits: 

The salary range for this position is currently $70,000 – $75,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits in 2021! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health: 

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

COVID Consideration:

The National Wildlife Federation closely follows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease and has implemented processes that promote the safety of our employees, candidates, and communities. Because the health of our employees and candidates is a top priority, we conduct our hiring process virtually via phone or video until further notice. We are currently starting our positions as remote, and are continuing to explore what our future of work will be moving forward. Proof of vaccination will be required to join the National Wildlife Federation.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.