Senior Clean Air and Climate Analyst

With 1.2 million members and supporters beside us, we are the voice of America’s national parks, working to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations. We celebrate the parks — and work tirelessly to defend them — whether on the ground, in the courtroom or on Capitol Hill.

From our national headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 27 locations nationwide, we call on our program and policy experts, committed volunteers, staff lobbyists, community organizers and communications specialists to inform and inspire the public and to influence decision makers to ensure that our national parks are well protected.

Position Overview

The Senior Clean Air and Climate Analyst provides primary technical support for NPCA’s Clean Air Program. The Analyst also works closely with NPCA’s Senior Director for Conservation Science and Policy in providing technical and analytic support for NPCA’s programs and initiatives focused on protecting national parks and their resources from the impacts of climate change.

Responsibilities

Analysis (40%): 

• Develop and maintain expertise on issues of air quality and climate change affecting national parks.
• Track, distill and disseminate to NPCA staff up-to-date technical, engineering, and scientific information relevant to air pollution and climate change impacts on national parks.
• Compile, analyze and interpret emissions data and pollution reduction technology and practices related to fossil fuel industrial sectors.
• Manage air and climate data and create efficient systems to build technical analysis, generate examples and models for use in policy and program efforts.
• Provide technical and analytical support to NPCA programs and initiatives focused on protecting national parks and their resources from the impacts of air pollution and climate change.

Research and writing (35%):

• Research and draft written material designed to further goals of improving park air quality and reducing the impacts of climate change on national parks.
• Develop clear and accurate talking points, fact sheets, visuals, and other materials in support of NPCA’s clean air and climate priorities.

Public Comments/Litigation Support (25%): 

• Develop public comments on air quality and climate change related rulemakings, legislation, facility permits, and other air and climate policies impacting national parks.
• Oversee and coordinate air modeling, pollution control and other technical experts for public comments or in support of NPCA’s clean air litigation efforts. 

Other:

• Respects employees regardless of their position or background.
• Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems.
• Participates in team, department and organization-wide staff meetings, training programs, and attends other meetings and seminars as needed/designated by the supervisor.
• Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. 

Minimum Work Schedule: 

• 37.5 hour work week. Occasional travel required. 

Minimum Scope of Position: 

• Supports the Conservation Programs department and cross-departmental teams focused on clean air and climate programs and initiatives, which include members of the Regional Operations, Communications, Development, Government Affairs, and Membership departments.
• Works closely and collaboratively with a broad group of external contacts, via phone, email, and in person.
• Involves development of relationships with NPS staff and other partners.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications, Competencies, Skills, Education, and Traits: 

• BA/BS in relevant field and 4+ years’ experience in air quality, climate change or other relevant field; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Working knowledge of the Clean Air Act, federal policies affecting air quality, health and environmental impacts of air and climate pollution, industrial sources of fossil fuel emissions and associated emissions control technology, and the administrative rulemaking process; knowledge of the Regional Haze Rule and National Ambient Air -Quality Standards strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of policies focused on mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, of climate change impacts on natural resources and the built environment, and of climate change analyses and predictive models.
• Demonstrated familiarity with environmental justice principles and practices.
• Proactive, self-starter with great attention to detail who works independently with minimal day-to-day oversight, who also understands the demands inherent in working for a larger organization. 
• Willingness to learn new things and expand skill set.
• Track record of policy and issue analysis followed by effective action to achieve a goal. 
• Excellent written and oral communications skills one-on-one, in groups, and in public forums. 
• Multidisciplinary experience and demonstrated ability to build and work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams to advance priority strategies and tactics towards a goal. 
• Clear interest and/or experience with environmental advocacy. Commitment to clean air, a healthy climate and/or national parks strongly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to set and observe priorities, to respect deadlines, and to be flexible. 
• Highly proficient computer and data management skills, including:
  • Spreadsheet/database (e.g. advanced Excel, Google Sheets, Access or similar required).
  • GIS/spatial analysis/data visualization (e.g. ArcGIS, Tableau or similar required).
  • Graphics/visual communication (e.g. Publisher, Photoshop, InDesign, Inkscape or similar preferred).

Core Values:

Live, honor, and own the organization’s Core Values:

Commitment:

• We are passionate about NPCA and dedicated to achieving excellence through our work and mission.
• We seek to improve our performance by taking opportunities for professional and personal development and encouraging reasonable risk-taking and innovation. 

Inclusion:

• We value diversity of thought, background, experience, and opinion.
• We create a culture of empowerment by welcoming and encouraging meaningful participation from all people and promoting an environment that embraces different perspectives. 

Integrity:

• We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our members and partners, and our mission.
• We evaluate the impact of our work and strive for honesty and transparency across the organization.
• We operate ethically in the organization’s best interests.

Respect:

• We collaborate in results-oriented teams based on trust and consideration for each other.
• We promote harmony between our work and our personal lives.
• We foster a healthy and positive workplace culture and work collaboratively with external partners.

Physical Effort and Dexterity: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear.
• The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• NPCA is committed to diversity among its employees and hiring practices.
• All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

Physical Environment: 

• Typical office setting; cube; limited travel.

Employer’s Rights:

• NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.
• The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change.
• The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.

~ NPCA is an EOE committed to diversity among its employees and hiring practices. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. ~