Policy Analyst

Title: Policy Analyst

Salary Range: $75,000 - $110,000 DOE, Negotiable

Location: Washington, D.C. 

The Pipeline Safety Trust (PST) seeks a Washington, DC-based Policy Analyst to join our team dedicated to protecting people and the environment from pipeline accidents. The Policy Analyst will write policy recommendations, provide expertise on relevant issues surrounding pipelines, and build collaborative relationships with decision makers and subject matter experts to further PST’s 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.

The Pipeline Safety Trust also recognizes that the transportation of oil and gas by pipelines contributes to planetary warming. While ensuring the integrity of the pipelines that run through communities, farms, and natural environments remains our primary mission, the PST’s dedication to pipeline safety, ecological sustainability, and environmental justice requires us to work toward a rapid and just energy transition.

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
• 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 including the potentially largest threat from pipelines – climate change.  

The Policy Analyst, in this newly created position based in Washington DC, will work in collaboration with the rest of the PST team, located in Bellingham, Seattle, and Portland, OR to advance key pipeline safety policies, educate the public and elected officials, and respond to requests for information. The Policy Analyst will be essential to advancing Pipeline Safety Trust’s policy agenda before state and federal lawmakers, state and federal executive agencies, allied organizations, and the public.  

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 in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice work; investigating how pipelines impact communities, including impacts related to Environmental Justice; and creating solutions to pipeline issues through the lens of climate change.

Core Responsibilities:

• Track and prepare written analyses of pipeline-related state and federal rulemakings, policies, and legislation
• Create and maintain strong working relationships with legislative and agency staff on pipeline issues
• Create programs to reduce barriers to allow for more public participation and engagement on pipeline issues
• Build a more inclusive and diverse engaged public
• Create fact sheets, talking points, and other outreach materials
• 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:

• Experience evaluating and analyzing legislation and regulations
• Working knowledge of federal regulatory and legislative processes
• A J.D., masters’ degree in public policy, or relevant experience 
• The ability and confidence to work independently 
• Experience working productively within diverse and inclusive coalitions, including affected communities, environmental organizations, labor unions, industry, and governmental representatives
• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills

Location

The Pipeline Safety Trust office is located in Bellingham, WA. We prefer our Policy Analyst live in Washington, D.C. to serve as a resource to policymakers and other stakeholders. Periodic travel throughout the country is expected.

Further Information 

Media coverage of some of PST’s current priorities:

Midwest CO2 Pipeline Rush Creates Regulatory Chaos

TC Energy Says Stress, Weld Fault Caused Keystone Oil Spill

NGO Urges Caution when Transporting Hydrogen Via Pipeline Due to Safety Risks

Congressional testimony on PST’s statutory priorities:

Recent testimony before House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee

HOW TO APPLY

Email resume and cover letter to jobs@pstrust.org. Questions about the position are welcome at that email address as well.

Applications are due by June 2, 2023.  We plan on holding the first round of interviews via Zoom the week of June 12. 

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.