Government Affairs Manager

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Location: In or near Sacramento

Office: Remote

Status: Full-Time with excellent benefits

Salary: $105,000 - $130,000 per year

Are you a dynamic, accomplished policy mover and shaker, and relationship-builder wanting to make a difference on the climate crisis? We are looking for a driven, collaborative, enthusiastic, and experienced government affairs professional with effective relationships in Sacramento to lead our Climate-Safe California policy and partnership efforts. Together, we will achieve accelerated, equitable climate policy based on the latest science and the rapidly worsening climate reality, catalyzing the nation and the world into greater action..

About The Climate Center

The Climate Center is a climate and energy policy nonprofit working to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California.

We believe in vibrant, healthy communities. We envision a future where everyone in California enjoys clean air and water, renewable and reliable energy, healthy food, thriving nature, and more.

California has the tools and know-how to make this vision a reality — if our elected leaders act with the urgency the climate crisis demands. California must put policies in place as soon as possible for accelerated, equitable climate action, putting us on track to remove more climate pollution than we emit while securing resilient communities for all by 2030. That’s how we’ll keep our communities safe from worsening climate disasters, create millions of family-sustaining jobs, protect our environment, and give everyone the chance to thrive in the clean energy economy. Working together, we will ensure California leads at a pace commensurate with the climate crisis to secure a climate-safe future for all.

Since our founding in 2001, The Climate Center has been dedicated to making climate solutions a reality in California at speed and scale. We are a think-tank, do-tank working to turn bold ideas into action for a climate-safe future. We know that as goes California, so goes the world. We partner with business, local government, labor, and environmental and environmental justice organizations to deliver the equitable climate solutions that science demands. We also pride ourselves in having a supportive organizational team culture.

All of The Climate Center’s work is guided by three core principles: follow the latest science, prioritize climate justice, and secure a just transition for oil and gas workers. Our staff and experts are laser-focused on equitably reducing climate pollution at the speed and scale necessary to secure a climate-safe future.

Position Description

The Government Affairs Manager (GAM) is responsible for The Climate Center’s policy advocacy in California, primarily focused on policymaking in Sacramento to realize the ambitious and urgently needed goals of our Climate-Safe California campaign. The GAM is an experienced and driven policy expert who is a strong team player and team builder, and an excellent communicator and listener.. She/they/he is a self-starter, goal-oriented and committed to a climate-safe, vibrant future for all. She/they/he will provide expert analysis and strategic guidance on a full range of climate policies including clean energy, natural climate solutions, phasing out of fossil fuels, community resilience, and related efforts, while also being passionate about learning from our partners. The GAM will work in partnership with The Climate Center’s management team, initiative leaders and other staff as well as the Board and partners.

The GAM is The Climate Center’s expert on legislative and regulatory proceedings. She/he/they will bring extensive experience in California climate law and policy, including drafting, reviewing and driving the passage of legislation, as well as supporting aligned regulation. The GAM will have an in-depth strategic understanding of how the legislative branch can work with the regulatory and executive branches to achieve policy goals. The GAM will also play a lead role in building partnerships and coalitions to support The Center’s policy priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, evaluate and regularly report on progress on an annual workplan that will outline how to develop and support policy priorities of The Climate Center across organizational initiatives;
• Build relationships and advocate for The Climate Center’s policy priorities with legislators, their staff, the Governor’s Office, relevant agencies, other lobbyists, key influencers, labor unions, and nonprofit partners on a daily basis;
• Maintain knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field, serve as a resource to staff on developing issues and politics, and make recommendations to adjust organizational and statewide campaign strategies ensuring that The Climate Center has the appropriate policy plans and actions to achieve its goals;
• Develop policy solutions in coordination with The Climate Center’s staff, advisors, coalition partners, and subject matter experts;
• Develop and support production of materials (fact sheets, action alerts and emails, legislative and budget analyses, slide presentations) to improve stakeholder understanding of policy;
• Coordinate and co-develop communications between The Climate Center’s policy team and other relevant consultants, and organizational leadership and staff;
• Track lobbying activities to ensure work is within the organization’s annual 501(h) election limits, and federal, state, and local reporting requirements are met;
• Recommend legislation for The Climate Center to support or oppose and manage the associated process;
• Coordinate with the Mobilizing Team at The Climate Center to optimize their efforts to support organizational policy;
• Track legislative contacts, key positions, and needed follow up, and share with relevant staff;
• Conduct media advocacy in conjunction with The Climate Center’s communication staff;
• Manage communications for all legislative and regulatory hearings, testimony, or formal presentations, including prepping relevant staff;
• Produce regular quarterly reports for the CEO and board detailing progress towards organizational policy goals;
• Participate in developing organizational strategic plan and the annual budget for the policy program;
• Assist with fundraising activities; and,
• Other activities as determined by the Chief Operating Officer and/or Chief Executive Officer.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years experience advocating for and developing policy for climate, energy, environmental or related issues in Sacramento, serving as a legislative chief of staff, legislative director, and/or state policy staff lead for a nonprofit organization or equivalent
• Demonstrated and well-developed network of contacts among California policymakers and their influencers
• Proven expertise in strategy development and coalition building
• Extensive knowledge of California legislative and administrative processes and experience analyzing and interpreting legislative and regulatory language
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; experience as a public spokesperson and advocate; ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences; a “quick study” on a dynamic array of issues
• Experience working as part of and contributing to a team while managing multiple projects
• Excellent advocacy, listening, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to work collegially, learn from others and partner collaboratively with other staff, advisors and organizations
• Demonstrated ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum
• Ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously under pressure and to adjust to frequently changing demands
• Enjoy working with teams, both internal and external, and welcoming feedback while also a self starter
• Experience with and demonstrated knowledge of climate change policy; in depth knowledge of energy and nature-based climate policy a plus
• Ability to build relationships with relevant policy partners (eg, with government, NGO partners, policy shops, academic institutions)
• Demonstrated understanding of community organizing and power building
• Ability to collaboratively develop educational and outreach materials
• Legal degree preferred but not required
• Commitment to accelerated, equitable climate action
• Good sense of humor!

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is between $105,000 to $130,000 based on experience. The Climate Center also offers an excellent benefits package:

• Generous medical, dental and vision plan
• 401(k) plan with opportunity for match
• Dynamic and supportive team atmosphere

At The Climate Center, we care about and support each other in the workplace setting. We also recognize that each employee has a whole life that includes time outside of work. The Climate Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. We value diversity and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications.

Application Process

Please apply online (https://theclimatecenter.org/). A cover letter, resume, short writing sample are required for consideration. Three to five references will be required after the first interview. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials by November 6, 2023. The position will remain open until filled. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Thank you!

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