Climate and Energy Advocate

Conservation Voters New Mexico is a statewide, nonpartisan nonprofit committed to connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. We do this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable and advancing responsible public policies.

Our vision is for New Mexicans to thrive in just, resilient communities where our conservation and cultural values guide our decision-makers and public policies.

Position Overview

Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) and CVNM Education Fund are seeking a full-time Climate and Energy Advocate to join our team. The Climate & Energy Advocate develops, coordinates, implements, and lobbies for climate and energy initiatives that advance New Mexico’s leadership in proactively addressing climate change, development of clean energy resources, and transition away from carbon emitting sources of energy. The Advocate also works to build political will for policy passage through public and decision-maker education, press engagement, earned media, and other strategies. The Climate & Energy Advocate incorporates the values of racial equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the organization’s day-to-day systems and work, and provides key support for collaboration across internal departments, external audiences, and organizational partnerships.

This job may be a good fit for you if you:

• Have passion and knowledge of the climate and energy issues impacting New Mexico and the policy process, and consider yourself to be a quick learner
• Believe that pragmatic policy progress and public civic engagement are necessary to address the climate crisis
• Are a self-starter able to do the research needed to make informed and strategic decisions while also working as a part of a fast-paced team
• Are comfortable working in an organization with clear decision-making structure and hierarchy
• Believe in the power of movement building, and have a desire to work with other nonprofits, advocate organizations, and justice movements to advance policy wins
• Value building authentic and trustworthy relationships with your peers, the media, and elected officials
• Are comfortable working in a high-profile and high-visibility political organization
• View equity and diversity as a life-long learning and growth process that all of us must participate in
• Are comfortable and able to work nights and weekends, as needed, and during busy work seasons, like the legislative session or election season

Core Qualifications:

• Minimum 4+ years working on issues related to climate change, utility regulation, energy policy or issue advocacy, including direct, one-on-one conversations with lawmakers about specific policies.
• Dedication to addressing the climate crisis through policy action, civic engagement and CVNM’s mission and vision.
• Dedication to equity, inclusion, diversity, belonging and enthusiasm to amplify the voice and leadership of communities across New Mexico.
• Knowledge of how a bill becomes a law or city/county/state policy processes, including the NM legislative session.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, troubleshoot challenges, and think strategically in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player who is comfortable pitching in where needed throughout the organization.
• Demonstrated ability and comfort working in or with bilingual and multicultural environments, audiences and teams in both group and one-on-one settings.
• Approaches changing deadlines or priorities with flexibility and professionalism.
• Ability to maintain a positive solution-based approach in high-pressure or difficult situations.
• Demonstrated ability and comfort with leading meetings, engaging in coalition settings, and public speaking.
• Experience designing or helping to shape campaign plans and strategies, and implementing or training others in key organizing strategies and tactics like power-mapping, door-to-door canvassing, and phone banking.
• Understanding of ways that community organizing, leadership development, civic engagement, and decision-maker education can lead to policy or issue change.
• A valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and reliable mode of transportation. Both in-state and out-of-state travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Navajo Nation and/or Tribal Government policy processes.
• Knowledge of New Mexico’s utility regulatory body and associated bodies of law.

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a full-time exempt salaried position, with a starting salary offer of $76,125 annually (negotiable within salary band for exceptional experience). Our staff also receive the following benefits:

• 401k plan
• Life leave and 12 weeks parental leave
• 100% employer-covered health, dental and vision insurance
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year and ample paid sick leave
• 15 days of vacation per year, increasing to 20 days at three years of employment
• 6 weeks paid sabbatical leave at 5 years of employment, increasing to 12 weeks paid sabbatical leave following 10 years of employment
• 35-hour 4-day work week outside of legislative session and election season