State Climate Policy Manager

Pacific Environment For more than three decades, Pacific Environment has worked to serve people, wildlife, and ecosystems by promoting grassroots activism, strengthening communities, leading strategic campaigns, and working for policy changes. We are headquartered in San Francisco, with regional offices or staff across the United States, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Thailand, and with partnerships that span the Pacific Rim.

Pacific Environment and our partners fight fossil fuels and champion clean energy, challenge industrial models that disregard local interests, and bring grassroots concerns—and whenever possible grassroots leaders—to national and international bodies to advocate for policy solutions that reflect community needs and values.

Pacific Environment operates as a campaigner, coalition-builder, grantmaker, and thought partner. We provide direct funding and technical assistance to grassroots environmental activists in the regions where they work. We complement these community-led efforts with national and international coalition-building and advocacy to decision-makers to support policy changes that prioritize local interests and resolve the root causes of environmental challenges. Pacific Environment has a strong track record of local and international achievement.

Position Pacific Environment seeks a State Climate Policy Associate Manager to advance our climate priorities and provide critical policy support for Pacific Environment’s campaigns on zero-emission shipping and ports in California. They will provide research, writing, and analytical support to implement the Climate Program’s legislative and campaign priorities, provide logistical support for meetings and events, and manage California policy and regulatory work streams. The successful candidate will have policy advocacy experience, specifically legislative experience, at the California or state-level, and a passion for solving the climate crisis.   This position will report to the Climate Policy Director. 

Location This position is remote and requires working West Coast time zone hours, with a strong preference for physical presence in Sacramento, California.  While most work will be completed remotely, there will be travel obligations for in-person legislative and regulatory hearings, meetings and events.

In addition, the position may involve other domestic or international travel. Pacific Environment is sensitive to COVID-19 and other potential obstacles to safe travel.

Responsibilities

• Advocate before the State Legislature, at regulatory hearings, and stakeholder meetings
• Serve as Pacific Environment’s policy lead in California to advance adoption of CA’s shipping regulations by directly engaging legislators, regulatory agencies, and other government stakeholders
• Lead engagement with staff and high-level decisionmakers at relevant state agencies including CPUC, CEC and CalSTA and support engagement at CARB and Go-BIZ
• Monitor relevant bills introduced and advancing through the California legislature
• Crafting position letters, public testimony, fact sheets, and policy papers in support of PE’s policy and legislative priorities
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with coalition members, community groups, and key partners
• Represent Pacific Environment with the press, in coalitions with key allies, and in key policy forums
• Conduct research~~,~~ and analysis to support policy development
• Mobilize grassroots support (online and in-person) to influence decision makers to adopt PE’s policy priorities, including but not limited to petitions, direct actions, town halls, etc.
• Other tasks as determined by the Climate Policy Director

Key Qualifications

• At least 5 years of previous work experience, particularly with managing policy advocacy or environmental and social change campaigns
• Proven track record of delivering successful advocacy initiatives, bringing together several strategies (grassroots organizing, traditional and digital outreach, engaging policymakers, in-person mobilization tactics, etc.)
• Demonstrated professional experience with California legislative and regulatory landscape and process. Familiarity with state agencies and proceedings overseeing air quality and energy (e.g., CPUC, CARB, CEC, BAAQMD) is a plus
• Experience working in coalition and building organizational partnerships across issues and differences. Experience working with labor a plus.
• Experience working with communities most impacted by the climate crisis, with a particular eye for those most impacted by racial & economic injustice
• Environmental commitment is a must.  Experience in maritime decarbonization or freight sector is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Demonstrated critical and strategic thinking abilities and have proactive approach to problem solving
• Ability to problem-solve and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment is essential
• Possess tenacious and positive, can-do attitude
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and online platforms and research tools necessary to succeed in a remote working environment Relevant experience for this position can take many forms, and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds.