Policy Specialist

Our distinctive approach to environmental protection emphasizes a focus on scientific and economic disciplines and on the use of market mechanisms where applicable to reach well-crafted, durable solutions. The organization builds teams of scientists, lawyers, and economists to investigate the scientific causes of environmental problems as well as the market forces and government policies that encourage and subsidize patterns of environmental damage.

In the full range of environmental arenas (air, water, climate, soil, toxins, and wildlife), Environmental Defense seeks practical solutions, founded on science, that policy makers and industry can be urged to incorporate into practice, law, or regulation.

Overall Function:

Environmental Defense is seeking a Policy Specialist to handle legislative outreach to targeted audiences for the organization's National Climate Campaign.

The specialist, based in Washington, DC, will be responsible for developing and advancing Environmental Defense's strategies for achieving emissions reductions and building relationships with key conservative policy makers and stakeholders (e.g., agricultural sector and energy security interests). 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design and implement policy solutions to engage members of Congress in federal climate change policy, in conjunction with the Legislative Director and other experts in the Climate Campaign; 
• Develop and implement strategies to broaden and enhance Environmental Defense's relationships with additional Members of Congress and their staffs; 
• Build effective coalitions of diverse DC-based and non-DC based organizations to better achieve results; 
• Assist in the preparation of communications materials for media, policy-makers and various stakeholders to build support and understanding for our positions; 
• Assist the National Climate Campaign Communications Director in designing and implementing media strategies, including trade press, inside DC press and outside DC press.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be able to develop and implement aggressive legislative strategies to achieve Environmental Defense's goals for a national cap on carbon emissions. Other desired qualifications include:

• Demonstrated ability to lead a policy campaign while working in a team environment. 
• Successful experience in lobbying and advocacy. 
• Strong written and verbal skills with the expertise to communicate complex regulatory issues to non-technical audiences. 
• Capable of mobilizing scientific, legal, economic, and other experts to explain public policy initiatives. 
• Capable of managing a diverse workload. 
• Experience with Capitol Hill and climate change. 

Salary:

Commensurate with experience. 

To Apply:

Interested candidates should forward their cover letter, resume and salary requirments by email or postal mail to: 

Cheryl Pickard
HR Generalist
Environmental Defense
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009