Climate Policy and Research Director

Founded in 1989, Urban Habitat (UH) builds power in low-income communities and communities of color by combining policy, advocacy, research, leadership development, and coalition building to advance environmental, economic and social justice in the Bay Area. UH applies a race and class analysis to issues of climate, transportation, housing, land use, planning, and community development, and offers a clear vision and agenda for the equitable development of the region.

Position Overview:

The Climate Policy and Research Director works closely with UH's Management Team to define and implement campaigns, policies, and coalition building efforts for advancing climate justice at the local, regional, and state level. Candidate will work closely with our equity partners to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color benefit from the implementation of key climate policies such as AB 32, SB 375, and CEQA. Candidate will lead UH's efforts to define a comprehensive policy and research agenda for the organization and its priority campaigns, and will work across programs to support strategy development and implementation.

Candidate must effectively lead UH staff in a team environment to strengthen and integrate policy analysis and advocacy efforts related to climate justice and the connections to equitable development, transportation, housing, land-use, and health. Candidate must be a strategic thinker and communicator and have the ability to generate and translate complex ideas or research findings into concrete campaign recommendations.

Candidate must be able to work with a diverse group of stakeholders including allied organizations, community groups, policy, government, labor, and health organizations. This position reports directly to the Director of Programs and supervises a Climate Policy and Research Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

Policy Research and Analysis:

Monitor the political landscape for strategic opportunities to advance UH's priority campaigns and programs. Research and analyze local, regional, state and, national policies that are relevant to UH's mission and campaign goals; design innovative policies and advocacy strategies that build on UH's existing expertise and relationships.

Policy Advocacy and Education:

Lead organizational efforts to generate and pass positive policy solutions that benefit low-income communities and communities of color and prevent the passage of harmful policies. Play a lead role in the creation and advancement of UH's short and long-term policy agenda, and help increase the capacity of UH and our partners to effectively navigate and impact the policy-making arena. Educate and mobilize policy-makers, community and labor allies, and other key stakeholders around UH's policy agenda.

Campaign and Program Planning:

• Climate Justice: Play a lead role in defining and implementing UH's climate justice campaign goals, structure, and strategies. Support UH's efforts to increase coordination and communication among equity organizations across California to define and win clear transportation and land-use equity outcomes within key statewide climate change policies and campaigns. Work with Director of Programs to support UH's participation on regional and statewide coalitions including the Great Communities Collaborative and ClimatePlan.
• Land Use: Lead UH's efforts to develop strategies and policies that win concrete land-use and climate justice outcomes within the Regional Transportation Plan and the Sustainable Communities Strategy, and priority state policies. Coordinate closely with UH's Transportation Program and Land-use and Housing Program.
• SEC: Support UH's efforts through the Bay Area Social Equity Caucus to educate and mobilize members on key policy issues including climate change, land-use, housing, and jobs.
• BCLI: Contribute policy analysis, solutions, and research findings to support UH's Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute and its efforts to recruit, place, and support low-income people and people of color on non-profit boards and public commissions throughout the region.
• REDI: Support UH's Richmond Equitable Development Initiative on priority policy efforts related to climate justice. Work with the REDI Coordinator and UH's Climate Policy and Research Coordinator to build REDI's capacity to engage on local issues related to climate and energy.

Research and Writing:

Strengthen UH's regional equity analysis and framework on climate justice and its connection to transportation, housing, equitable development, and health. Lead UH's efforts to produce original reports and analysis that contribute to the environmental justice movement. Provide data, analysis and articles for UH's web-site, RPE journal, and other UH publications.

Development and Communications:

Provide regular updates and other written materials to the Director of Development and Planning, Board of Directors, and Media and Communications Associate in order to support UH's fundraising efforts, media strategy, and web-site outreach. Participate in fundraising cultivation meetings and/or provide talking points on UH's policy goals. Represent UH on Climate Justice issues at conferences, community events, workshops, and other public/media engagements.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in urban planning, environmental sciences, economics, public policy, or equivalent experience such as policy director for labor or advocacy organization.
• Knowledge and experience working on land-use planning policies and programs (for example inclusionary zoning implementation, analysis of planned land use alternatives, EIR and CEQA review ) and climate change policies and programs (for example, development of climate change actions plans)
• Hands-on experience with policy-making, advocacy, implementation, and evaluation at varying levels of government (for example, local, regional, state, and national); ability to analyze complex policy development processes and related public agencies.
• Capacity to utilize a wide array of research methods, including but not limited to: Internet searches, public information requests, government reports, telephone inquiries and key informant interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate policy analysis and research results, including development of conclusions and persuasive arguments for individuals outside the organization, as appropriate.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading successful policy campaigns and/or programs focused on environmental, social, and/or economic justice. Capacity to evaluate and prioritize campaign opportunities to ensure that they maximize Urban Habitat's overall campaign and organizational goals.
• Strong commitment to issues of environmental, social and economic justice and to working within a regional, multi-sector, multi-issue framework.
• High level of proven leadership and ability to manage complex tasks in a timely and professional manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and in a team environment.

Compensation: Commensurate with Experience. Generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, holidays, vacation, 401 K, and sick leave.  This is a full time position. 

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled.

To Apply:

Please email your cover letter and resume, AS ATTACHMENTS. 

Urban Habitat is an equal opportunity employer, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.