Federal Policy Advisor

Title: Federal Policy Advisor

Reports To: Policy & Program Director/Counsel

Salary: $81,500 - $122,500 for DC-area applicants, DOE, Negotiable;

$71,000 – $106,500 for applicants outside DC-area, DOE, Negotiable

Benefits: PST Benefits Overview

Location: Washington, D.C. strongly preferred; remote or Bellingham, WA-based for exceptional candidates

The Pipeline Safety Trust (PST) seeks a Federal Policy Advisor to join our team dedicated to protecting people and the environment from pipeline accidents. The Federal Policy Advisor will build collaborative relationships with decisionmakers and subject matter experts, write policy recommendations, serve as PST’s face of government relations, and provide expertise on relevant issues surrounding pipelines to further our policy goals. A law or public policy degree or comparable experience is preferred, but not required for this position. We do not expect candidates to have an extensive knowledge of pipeline policy and we have resources available to build expertise.

WHO WE ARE

The Pipeline Safety Trust (PST), based in Bellingham, WA, is a national non-profit watchdog organization on the US pipeline industry and its regulators. Founded in response to the fatal 1999 Olympic Pipeline Explosion, PST has since been a tremendously successful public safety advocate – fighting for basic and common-sense safety regulations, testifying before Congress, educating and engaging the public about pipeline safety, and helping state, local, and Tribal governments make sense of regulations, responsibilities, and levers of power. PST is the only national pipeline safety advocacy organization.

Our mission is to promote pipeline safety through education and advocacy, increased access to information, and partnerships with residents, safety advocates, government, and industry, resulting in safer communities and a healthier environment.

WHAT WE VALUE

The Board and staff of the Pipeline Safety Trust value:

• Public safety and public interest,
• Trust and credibility,
• Fearless independence,
• Inclusiveness and accessibility, and
• Proactive strategies

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Pipeline Safety Trust is seeking a conscientious and resilient advocate with a commitment to keeping communities and the environment safe from pipeline dangers. The Federal Policy Advisor will work in collaboration with the rest of the PST team, located in Washington, Virginia, Wisconsin and Louisiana to advance key pipeline safety policies, educate the public and elected officials, and respond to requests for information. The Federal Policy Advisor will be essential to advancing Pipeline Safety Trust’s policy agenda before federal lawmakers, federal executive agencies, allied organizations, and the public. The Federal Policy Advisor will help shape the scope of the role and work independently.

Key issues the role will advance policy on:

• Regulatory gaps that exist for CO2 and hydrogen pipelines before the massive buildout of infrastructure spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act occurs
• Long-term Congressional limitations on pipeline safety regulators
• Methane emissions detection, reporting, and mitigation
• Improved damage prevention laws
• Public engagement and community education

This position will report to the Policy & Program Director and will collaborate with all members of the PST staff through various means of communication to advance our mission.

The ideal candidate will also have an active interest in engaging with diverse stakeholder perspectives; investigating how pipelines impact communities, including disproportionate impacts on underserved populations; and creating solutions to pipeline issues that account for evolving environmental conditions and long-term sustainability.

Core Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain strong working relationships with legislative and regulatory staff and key stakeholders on pipeline issues
• Track and prepare written analyses of pipeline-related state and federal rulemakings, policies, and legislation
• Conduct research and develop legislative and policy proposals, memoranda, position statements, fact sheets, talking points, and briefing materials
• Create programs to reduce barriers to allow for more public participation and engagement on pipeline issues in regulatory and legislative processes
• Build a more inclusive and diverse engaged public by expanding outreach, amplifying voices, and ensuring PST’s advocacy reflects a range of affected communities
• Contribute to the PST’s annual Pipeline Safety Conference traditionally held in New Orleans, LA
• Represent the PST in the media where appropriate

Skills and Qualifications:

We encourage anyone drawn to and inspired by this work to apply so long as some of the desired educational or work experience is met. We don’t expect everyone to meet all the listed skills and qualifications.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 5+ years relevant hill or government relations experience
• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience evaluating and analyzing legislation and regulations
• Working knowledge of federal regulatory and legislative processes
• The ability and confidence to work independently
• Experience working productively within diverse coalitions, including affected communities, environmental organizations, labor unions, industry, and governmental representatives

Location

The Pipeline Safety Trust office is located in Bellingham, WA. We prefer our Federal Policy Advisor live in Washington, D.C. to serve as a resource to policymakers and other stakeholders, however, we will consider exceptional applicants throughout the US. Periodic travel throughout the country is expected.

Further Information

Recent Writings on PST’s Priorities

• PST Press Release: New PHMSA Enforcement Policy Paves Way for Pipeline Operators to Circumvent Safety Regulations
• PST Statement: PHMSA’s Incident Notification Advisory Bulletin fails to Meet NTSB Recommendation and Improve Public Safety
• Trump Administration Cancels Pipeline Safety Research
• How Trump’s Transportation Department Is Loosening Safety Rules Meant to Protect the Public
• Amid Trump’s Proposed Pipeline Safety Rollbacks, Senator Questions Regulators’ Industry Ties

Recent Legislative and Regulatory Work

• Letter of Opposition for Subcommittee on Energy Bill, Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Act of 2026
• Pipeline Safety Trust Comment on Final Rule: Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements (Docket No. PHMSA-2017-0151)
• Pipeline Safety Trust Comment on NPRM, Pipeline Safety: Rationalize Special Permit Conditions (Docket No. PHMSA-2025-0135)

HOW TO APPLY

Our hiring process is designed to ensure equity and consistency for all candidates. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@pstrust.org. Questions about the position are welcome at that email address as well. We kindly ask that applicants not reach out to staff individually regarding this role.

We will begin reviewing applications on April 24, 2026, but the position will remain open until filled.

PST is committed to equal employment opportunities and encourages applications from individuals of any race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, national origin, or ability.

Benefits: PST Benefits Overview