Broadband and Green Jobs Advocate

The Progressive States Network seeks a highly motivated individual to work in a team approach in our New York office as a policy advocate working on Broadband and Green Jobs issues, our key state economic growth and job creation policy areas.

The Progressive States Network is a state-based organization, the mission of which is to pass progressive legislation in all 50 of America's state legislatures.

The Progressive States Network works with legislators and organizations across the country to advance legislation at the state level that rewards work, values families, promotes justice, increases democracy and grows the economy. Backed by labor unions, community leaders, environmental groups, grassroots organizations and other individual supporters, Progressive States blends analysis and action and is working to establish a cohesive network and support system for progressive legislators in all 50 states, while building a concerted movement dedicated to grassroots social and political change across the nation. See www.progressivestates.org for more information.

Position Overview:

Progressive States is looking for an individual to help coordinate our broadband and green jobs policies with state legislators and allied state advocacy groups across the country as component of economic recovery, long-term economic growth and equity for our communities. We see facilitating universal broadband access and adoption, including digital skills training, as a key to economic and racial equality in the modern era. And such "smart" technologies are intertwined with energy-saving policies tied to green buildings, teleheath and smart grids needed to end our nation's dependence on oil and stop climate change.

We are looking for someone who can not only help support policies across these areas of broadband and green energy, but can also help build the new political alliances supporting these policies to bridge the concerns of environmental activists, health care advocates, labor unions and community groups working for economic development and environmental justice.

The goal of this position is to build those alliances and take on corporate lobbyists in statehouses across the country and help spread policies that democratize access to the tools of democracy, economic empowerment and a sustainable economy. These policies fall into 3 broad categories:

1. Promoting Universal and Affordable Broadband through encouraging broadband investments, supporting education and job training programs to connect low-income communities to technology jobs, and encouraging economic job creation tied to technology investments.
2. Encouraging "Green Jobs" Policies, such as retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, deploying solar and other alternative energy sources; and supporting higher-density, affordable housing policies to discourage urban sprawl.
3. Leveraging Technology for Energy, Health Care and Education Savings in ways that link programs promoting energy-efficient "smart buildings" and tele-medicine into broadband, clean energy and health care coalitions.

Responsibilities:

The role of the policy advocate will be to coordinate policy development with national allies, help build our network of state legislators and state-based allies committed to these issues, and provide rapid response policy support throughout the legislative sessions. This will entail everything from helping draft legislation to writing op-eds to providing tailored fact sheets as needed by different states.

The position will be located in PSN's New York office.

Qualifications:

While policy experience on all these issues would be ideal, we recognize that many candidates will come in with experience more in one area and will need to develop expertise in other policy areas over time. But what any candidate will need is to be self-motivated and an innovative thinker and organizer with a dedication to economic and racial justice.

Excellent verbal and writing skills are an essential requirement. Relevant experience includes (but is not limited to) working in political, policy, legal, journalistic, or government settings. Advanced degrees, including a JD or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate's professional experience.

Compensation: Salary and benefits for this position is commensurate with the amount of relevant professional experience that a candidate has. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

To Apply:

Email a compelling cover letter, resume and writing sample. Please identify which policy position you are applying for in the subject line. Please demonstrates your ability to write about policy issues in a manner accessible to the public .

Progressive States is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage and value a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.