Now Hiring – Senior Climate Program Director

Now Hiring - Senior Climate Program Director

Make a difference for the environment and Oregon's future by joining our dynamic team!

Who We Are:

We're a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organization with deep roots dating back to 1968. Our work is grounded in fostering equitable, forward-thinking solutions to the environmental challenges facing us today - and tomorrow. We envision a future where every Oregonian enjoys equitable access to the healthy air, water, climate and community needed to thrive. To realize this vision, we've built a team of tireless champions to support policies and practices centered in environmental protection and justice. We're in it for the long haul - but we're not in it alone. We partner with coalitions and organizations across the state to actualize real change. Together, we're charting a course toward a world where our environment is protected, communities flourish, and the planet is cherished for generations to come. Join us in our mission to safeguard Oregon's natural legacy, and create a more sustainable future for all. We build teams, celebrate successes, launch impactful campaigns and have fun along the way.

Position Summary:

Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is seeking a Senior Climate Program Director to lead in developing, delivering, and implementing ambitious climate policies, programs and partnerships in Oregon. The Senior Climate Program Director sets the strategic direction for OEC's climate work, which includes a cross-cutting portfolio focused on advancing the equitable, rapid decarbonization of buildings, transportation, electricity, and industry in Oregon and promoting community resilience. This includes policy research and development, extensive relationship building, advocacy, analyzing data, campaign management (that includes strategies such as coalition management, grassroots mobilization), and strategic communications. The Senior Climate Program Director will build and manage OEC's climate team and work closely with diverse partners to provide expertise on policy advocacy, programs, and partnerships and guide campaign strategy. This position facilitates effective coordination with other OEC program staff around intersections between climate and transportation, public health, and water management issues. The Senior Climate Program Director also leads development of additional, innovative climate mitigation strategies and projects that suit the organization's strengths and promote equitable outcomes.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is motivated to accelerate an equitable clean energy transition. You are a strategic thinker, know how to leverage public policy, and a people-person who is excited about advocacy, supporting community resilience, and clean economic development. You are an adept and intuitive team leader who fosters a collaborative and growth-oriented team culture. You are a creative campaigner who understands coalitions and how to build bridges to get things done. You don't shy away from technical conversations and you are ready to be creative about climate policy mitigation and adaptation strategies. You are a strong communicator who is excited to build the climate movement, activate new partners, be a spokesperson, serve on advisory bodies and positively influence statewide climate proposals. You understand how climate interacts with transportation, public health, housing, and economic opportunity. You are passionate about ensuring Oregon stays on track to achieve its climate goals and helping Oregon communities and local economies thrive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop and Manage Climate Initiatives; Advocacy and Implementation (~35%)

• Develops programs, partnerships, policy proposals and other recommendations to advance program goals
• Crafts and implements campaign strategy plans to achieve strong climate outcomes
• Ensures strong implementation and defense of existing climate policies through regulatory advocacy and oversight, strategic communications and outreach, and (where needed) defense against legal challenges.
• Formulates projects to advance program goals; develops and executes project implementation
• Ensures that policies and projects are evaluated for equity implications
• Investigates and analyzes issues germane to program; reviews relevant professional materials and communications on a continuing basis
• Prepares and presents public comments and testimony; lobbies Oregon Legislature and other elected officials; coordinates with legislative director to inform advocacy strategy
• Monitors and weighs in on administrative and regulatory processes that relate to program goals; serves on statewide advisory councils, including agency rule-making committees
• Determines and communicates the organization's position on external policy proposals that relate to our goals

Develop and Manage Climate Team (15%)

• Develops job descriptions for new positions; leads hiring processes
• Manages and empower team members; leads work planning; supports skill-building, professional development

Relationship Building (~25%)

• Cultivates and maintains collaborative relationships with key interest groups and individuals, including policymakers, statewide officials and agency staff
• Engages authentically with culturally specific and community-of-color led organizations, organizations representing rural interests, and other organizations that bring a social and environmental justice perspective
• Fosters alliances; develops, manages, and participates in diverse and influential stakeholder coalitions and networks in support of program goals
• Maintains and expands relationships with regional and national organizations

Outreach and Education (~15%)

• Builds broad public support for program goals and project objectives
• Produces reports, fact sheets, opinion pieces, toolkits, and other communication tools to advance program objectives, with support from our marketing and communications team
• Engages in public speaking to diverse audiences
• Represents OEC in the media, in collaboration with our Communications Director
• Serves as an ambassador for OEC, building OEC's public presence
• Educates and engages OEC members and supporters through website communications, electronic and written communications, and personal interactions
• Occasionally develops public education and "things you can do" campaigns

Fundraising and Organizational Health (~10%)

• In collaboration with our development team, writes and reviews program-related grant proposals and progress reports
• Occasionally participates in fundraising meetings and events with donors and foundations
• Participates in organizational budget setting, staff meetings and retreats as a team leader for the OEC Climate Program
• Actively supports co-workers

Qualifications:

Required Experience and Education

• Minimum five years of professional experience in public policy development and/or advocacy in environmental protection
• Experience promoting and/or working knowledge of climate science, mitigation, and resilience
• Management experience, including mentoring and developing team members
• Bachelor's degree

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualities

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, bring together diverse stakeholders, and secure policy and other programmatic goals
• Expertise in climate and clean energy initiatives and policy
• Keen problem-solving skills and ability to conduct long-term visioning and planning
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects and deadlines while keeping a "big picture" strategic view
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills; persuasive public speaking and presentation skills; ability to clearly translate complex policy issues and tailor messages to specific audiences
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding cultural awareness and advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization and as part of programmatic work; a commitment to continued learning and working against institutional and structural racism
• Skilled leader with demonstrated ability to mentor, evaluate and educate team members
• Entrepreneurial approach; ethic of continuous improvement, self-motivation and initiative
• Detail-oriented with high standards for accuracy
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; an eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment; flexible attitude
• A passion for OEC's mission and the environment
• Energized to support Oregon Environmental Council's Values and Beliefs and workplace culture as described in our Team Charter
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information
• Ability to travel to Salem and occasionally statewide

Desirable Additional Qualifications

• Existing relationships with Oregon decision-makers and stakeholders, including elected officials, businesses, state agencies, community leaders, and advocacy organizations
• Experience working in a nonprofit setting with a mission-driven staff and board
• Relevant advanced degree or equivalent work experience
• Valid driver's license (for statewide travel)

Other Details:

Travel: This position requires some travel around the state. OEC encourages travel by sustainable modes, e.g., walking, bicycling, taking transit, and carpooling.

Work Schedule: Our office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM, however this role requires the ability to be flexible about one's schedule and work hours. This role may occasionally require excess hours in order to achieve deliverables.

Physical: This job operates in a professional open-floor office environment with a moderate level of noise associated with personal conversations and office machinery. The employee must be able to see, hear and talk and have the physical ability to move around, lift light objects, and use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.

Salary and Employment Benefits:

The salary range for this position is: $90,000 - $115,000. Starting salaries are usually in the first half of the full range. Offers are made based on an assessment of the candidate's skills, experience, and abilities in relation to the job description, and also in relation to peer roles in the organization. OEC endeavors to increase all staff wages annually to account for cost of living as well as to recognize and honor experience gained over time. We review and adjust the organizational pay scale every 2-3 years. Employees can expect to move up in the range for their position's pay grade as they gain more experience in their roles. OEC offers a collaborative, team-oriented, flexible, family-friendly workplace. Excellent benefits include:

• Generous paid leave, including 4 weeks of vacation (3 in first year), Fridays off in August, 11 fixed holidays, 4 personal days, and 12 sick days annually
• 401k contribution (up to 6% after the first year)
• Employer-paid medical and dental coverage for employee, with significant employer support for dependents' coverage

At OEC, you will learn a lot, laugh a lot, and feel great about helping Oregon communities become better, healthier places to live.

To Apply:

You will be asked for a cover letter & resume, our simple intake form usually takes less than two minutes to complete. Applications are reviewed on a two week rolling basis, and this position will remain open until filled.

ADA Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please email [email protected] or call 503-222-1963 x100 for assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Oregon Environmental Council provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender assignment, gender identity or expression, national origin, (dis)ability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

JOB POSTING SUMMARY
Title:	Climate Program Director
Status:	Regular
FLSA Classification:	Exempt
Hours:	1.0 full-time equivalent (.8 or .9 negotiable)
Location:	Headquarters in Portland, OR
Work type:	OEC has a beautiful office and values in-person collaboration, but offers flexibility. General in-office expectations on Tuesdays and Thursdays; option to work remotely on M/W/F
Reports to:	Director of Programs
Supervisory Responsibilities:	Yes
Closing Date:	Open until filled