Climate Advisor – Columbus

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the nation’s most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our staff helped write some of America’s bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, and many of the implementing regulations; our climate and clean energy cases have played a major role shaping current climate policy throughout the country. Today, our staff of more than 500 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy and communications experts, and others, work out of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bozeman, Montana, and Beijing.

Position Summary:

NRDC is seeking a Climate Advisor to work with the City of Columbus as part of the American Cities Climate Challenge (ACCC). The American Cities Climate Challenge is an unprecedented opportunity for 20 ambitious cities to significantly deepen and accelerate their efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for their residents. The Climate Advisor will work with city officials to assist with the execution of initiatives designed to advance carbon reductions through policies and programs focused primarily on building energy efficiency policy and renewable energy financing with potential to support transportation work.  The Climate Advisor will be part of a network of similar positions located in cities across the country to support these building, energy, and transportation initiatives and will therefore be engaged at the local, regional, and national levels to advance the city’s goals. The position will interface with key influencers and decision-makers within city government, the residential, commercial, and industrial building industry, building owners, utility companies, and other organizations in the community.  The Climate Advisor will be seconded to Office of Sustainability and will work closely with the Assistant Director of Sustainability.

Location: Columbus, OH

This is a limited term role through 12/31/2020

Learn more about the ACCC at:https://www.bloomberg.org/program/environment/climatechallenge/

• Project Management: Develop and execute a detailed work plan to implement the city’s plans for climate mitigation through transportation and buildings policies and programs with expertise in performance management.

• Stakeholder Outreach and Management: Lead various work streams including but not limited to outreach to stakeholders, both internal to city government and the broader community of private sector, non-profit, philanthropic, and community partners; drafting internal and public-facing documents;  navigating internal city processes in coordination with our partners; develop public outreach and engagement strategies for buildings priorities including: passing a benchmarking ordinance, accelerating the City’s  current energy efficiency and renewable energy financing programs, and building a residential PACE program. Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process.

• Education and Policy Engagement: Educate city stakeholders and the local community on the importance of addressing climate change through transportation and buildings policies and programs. Successfully support sustainability measures in the face of competing city priorities. Provide legislative review and policy research and analysis, with a focus on buildings policies and programs, specifically financing programs and residential PACE, a benchmarking building energy policy, and building energy audit programs. Experience with Ohio law and policy is preferred. Develop an engagement strategy to better represent Columbus residents and stakeholders interests on climate issues, focusing on opportunity communities that are often underrepresented in civic forums.
• Network Development: Develop and manage strong relationships with the city government, key stakeholders, and partners in the community. Maintain appropriate communication and information flow with community partners.
• Challenge Participation: Actively participate in the ACCC network of cities. This includes joining regularly scheduled calls, participating in online trainings, and attending in-person convenings.

•  Bachelor’s degree in a related field; Master’s degree preferred
• At least 3 years of advocacy experience on climate and transportation policy. Additional experience with buildings or clean energy policy preferred.
• Experience working at the city level preferred
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and interpersonal skills
• Experience managing projects in a team setting, including developing project plans and managing timelines
• Experience working at the intersection of equity and environment preferred
• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve goals.
• Excellent writing skills, strong verbal communication, and confident public speaker with an ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.

NRDC is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for positions based in San Francisco, CA we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

To apply, please visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your resume and cover letter through our online portal.  We would like you to upload any additional papers or project work that you think would showcase your abilities. Please no phone calls, emails, faxes or in-person resume drop-offs. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.