Policy Associate

The Climate Registry (The Registry) is the leading greenhouse gas (GHG) registry in North America. Over 50 U.S. states, Canadian provinces, Mexican states, and Native Sovereign Nations have joined together as governing Directors to encourage and track actions to reduce GHG emissions.

The Registry helps organizations throughout North America to measure, verify and publically report their GHG emissions. It also works to provide support for its Director entities in implementing regulatory GHG reporting and reduction programs. The Registry has developed standardized reporting and verification protocols for inventorying GHG emissions.

Registry Members include businesses, non-profit organizations, municipalities, state agencies, and other entities. More information about The Registry is available on-line.

The Registry offers a hands-on, fast-paced work environment, and tremendous potential for growth and advancement. This position provides the opportunity to join a team playing a leading role in developing climate change policy in North America.

Position Overview:

The Policy Associate will be responsible for contributing to several key aspects of the Policy Team's work. This is a full-time, exempt position. The Policy Associate will report to the Registry's Policy Manager and will not directly manage other staff.

Responsibilities: 

Specifically, the Policy Associate's responsibilities include:

1. Maintaining The Registry's General Reporting Protocol
2. Supporting the development of new GHG reporting protocols
3. Providing Policy Team support

Maintaining the General Reporting Protocol (50%):

The Policy Associate will manage and maintain all aspects of The Registry's General Reporting Protocol (GRP). Specific activities include:

• Ensuring the GRP is clear and up to date with current GHG policies and methodologies.
• Following the development of related GHG quantification methodologies by organizations outside of The Registry.
• Developing tools that help explain and communicate The Registry's protocols to stakeholders.
• Communicating protocol changes to Registry staff and all public stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Drafting new policy updates and new sections of the protocol, when necessary.
• Ensuring that the protocol updates are properly incorporated into CRIS.
• Managing stakeholder comments and coordinating all policy clarifications.
• Collaborating with The Registry's Programs team, Regional Directors and contractors to implement protocol changes and communicating changes to Members.
• Developing and delivering presentations to stakeholders explaining protocol changes.
• Updating all website references to protocol development work.

Supporting the Development of New GHG Reporting Protocols (30%):

The Policy Associate will contribute to the development of new entity-wide reporting protocols for a variety of specific industries. Specific activities include:

• Researching relevant GHG quantification issues.
• Surveying sector stakeholders re: GHG quantification methodologies.
• Drafting and editing protocol documents.
• Assisting with protocol workgroup meetings and administration.
• Assisting with public stakeholder meetings.
• Coordinating with the Manager of Verification Services to assess new verification requirements.
• Reviewing and summarizing stakeholder and public comments on draft protocols.
• Working with other functional teams within the organization to ensure the smooth implementation of new protocols in The Registry's reporting program.
• Ensuring that the protocol reporting requirements are properly incorporated into CRIS.

Providing Policy Team Support (20%):

The Policy Associate will work with the Programs Team to ensure that Members' and stakeholders' policy questions are researched and answered in a timely fashion. The Policy Associate will also contribute to organizational administrative projects, and may assist the Policy Manager with other organizational projects.

Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of climate policy experience preferred.
• An advanced degree in a relevant scientific, technical or policy field or at least 2 years experience working with GHG quantification methodologies and/or reporting protocol development and implementation.
• Demonstrated understanding of consensus-based decision-making process.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience in and knowledge of climate change policy, preferably within North America.
• Demonstrated project management and contractor oversight skills.
• Strong research and analysis skills.
• Proven technical writing skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, expert stakeholder groups, industry groups and others.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritizing, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong self starter with a proactive management approach.
• Proven ability to successfully work in both team and individual work environments.
• U.S. citizen or legal right to work in the U.S.

Compensation: The Registry offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth. Salary is commensurate with experience. The Registry also offers a comprehensive benefit package.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2009

To Apply:

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

• Cover letter 
•  Resume
• Writing sample (maximum of 5 pages)

The Climate Registry will only review and process complete applications.

Policy Associate Search Committee
The Climate Registry
523 W. 6th St, Suite 445
Los Angeles, CA 90014 

The Climate Registry is an equal opportunity employer.