Senior Associate, Political Research

Type of Position Full-time, exempt, regular

Team Research

Reports To Deputy Managing Director, Research

Salary Range $70,000 - $83,371 based upon experience

Tier Senior Associate

Tier Description Work independently and manage work priorities with little

guidance from manager; Project management with external stakeholders; Requires independent decision-making and substantial experience in the work or issue area. Intermediate level.

Minimum Role-Specific Experience 3 years

Preferred People & Project Management Experience 0 years

About Climate Power

Climate Power is a strategic communications organization focused on winning the politics of climate. We’re educating Americans about our climate progress, highlighting how clean energy investments benefit local communities, and holding Big Oil accountable for polluting our air and water. We use data-backed messages to pave a path for bold action and shine a light on the price of ignoring the climate crisis would cost our health, economy, and future generations.

It’s our job to tell the story of how climate action and clean energy investment are rebuilding our economy, lowering energy costs, and protecting our planet for future generations. We call out disinformation from bad actors like the Big Oil lobby, and make the climate stakes real for voters.

About This Role

Climate Power has an immediate opening for a Senior Political Research Associate to help the Research team monitor and track the federal government and key state elected officials, elevate the benefits of climate action and clean energy investments, and defend against efforts to dismantle climate progress. The Senior Political Research Associate is a member of Climate Power’s Research Department and will support the team’s daily operations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Monitor and produce original research focused on the White House, federal agencies, Congress, and key states.
• Monitor and provide updates on state and federal elections and candidates.
• Support the Research department with long-term research projects, including those focused on the influence of Big Oil.
• Contribute to political research needs surrounding extreme weather and climate urgency.
• Identify opposition research opportunities for Climate Power, including potential rapid response moments.
• Draft reports, fact sheets, and other research materials covering a range of research topics.
• Generate actionable research that can be used in communications materials, media pitches, and earned media tactics to hold elected officials accountable for blocking climate progress nationally and in key states.
• Fulfill rapid response and political event monitoring duties as needed.
• Assist with gathering facts for reports and other written research products as directed by the Deputy Managing Director.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as need and capacity dictates.

Essential Qualifications

• 3 years of relevant prior work experience in political research, which may include working for a campaign or issue advocacy organization. Preference for candidates who have experience with opposition research or electoral campaigns.
• Must be able to work independently but also collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing political research documents in bullet format.
• Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities with minimal direct supervision.
• Strong news judgment and knowledge of the political media landscape.
• Strong familiarity with research tools, including LexisNexis and campaign finance filings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace.
• Interest in climate justice is a plus!

If you do not meet all of the requirements and believe you are a good fit, we encourage you to apply, but be sure to uplift all experience that aligns with both our essential and desired qualifications.

Location & Hours of Operations

Climate Power is a remote-first organization based in Washington, DC. This position can be located anywhere in the United States. Required hours are Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm EST, plus weekends and evenings as the work dictates.

Compensation

Climate Power offers a competitive compensation package including experienced based salary (please ensure that all relevant experience is included on your resume) and comprehensive benefits, including the following:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurances
  • 100% paid for employee
  • 50% for their dependents
• Unlimited Paid Time off, including every other Friday and extended summer, fall, and winter breaks
• 401(k) with 5% match
• Education Assistance, including student loan repayment program
• Sabbatical Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly Tech Allowance
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Work From Home Stipend, for home office furniture
• Treat Yourself Fund

The terms of your benefits and any applicable waiting period(s) are governed by relevant plan documents and any and all applicable policies, and are subject to change or discontinuation by the organization.

Our Hiring Timeline and Process

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will continue to interview until the position is filled (posting will remain up until position filled).

An ideal start date would be before or by July 28, 2025.

Our interview process generally involves 2 rounds of interviews, ranging in length from 30-60 minutes. All interviews will be conducted via Google Meet or Zoom. Successful candidates that move forward in the hiring process, will be invited to complete a skills assessment activity (for which they will receive compensation) and will undergo a vetting process, including reference and background check.

Climate Power is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

Additionally, Climate Power is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Climate Power will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview and hiring process.

If reasonable accommodation is needed in the interview process, please accessibility@climatepower.us. Requests for updates in the hiring/interview process or other solicitations, should not be sent to this email.

3 screener questions to be included in Lever:

1. Do you have 3 years of work experience in political research?
2. Describe your experience with research tools, such as LexisNexis, and campaign finance filings.