Associate, Federal & External Affairs, U.S. Climate Alliance

Job Description

Position Overview

The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing America’s net-zero future by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its members accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and resources. The coalition has also built strong relationships with policy makers to help create and implement an ambitious, durable national climate framework. For more information on the Alliance, please visit www.usclimatealliance.org. 

The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a highly motivated Federal & External Affairs Associate to help manage the coalition’s engagement with the federal government and external partners as we approach the next major inflection point in U.S. climate leadership. At the Federal level,  new opportunities and challenges will arise for Alliance members as they continue making progress toward the goals of the Paris Agreement. This position will be responsible for tracking federal climate action at the executive and legislative levels, advising Alliance members and Secretariat staff on major federal updates and opportunities for engagement, overseeing federal components of the Alliance’s weekly newsletter, managing relationships with federal and external partners, maintaining relevant databases and distribution lists, and working across the climate community to maximize the Alliance’s impact. This role reports to the Alliance’s Federal & External Affairs Manager.

This position is part of the Energy and Climate team at the United Nations Foundation, which houses the U.S. Climate Alliance Secretariat. It is based in Washington, DC (hybrid schedule) with consideration for remote work in the contiguous United States.

This position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid schedule) with consideration for remote work in the contiguous U.S. 

Essential Functions

Track and analyze developing federal climate policies.

• Track and analyze federal climate policy developments in real-time, including both executive and regulatory actions and congressional activities on Capitol Hill.
• Oversee and maintain the Alliance’s federal policy trackers that are used by Alliance members and Secretariat staff to stay up-to-date on federal policy actions and opportunities for formal or informal engagement.
• Partner with member states, Secretariat sector leads, and coalition partners to evaluate and prioritize opportunities for the Alliance to engage strategically on federal climate action to advance progress and prevent back-sliding
• Prepare briefing memos or other materials as needed for Alliance members and the Secretariat to digest complex information and evaluate federal engagement opportunities.
• Draft written updates on federal climate action to be distributed to 700+ officials across the Alliance’s states and territories through our Weekly RoundUp newsletter.   

Modernize and maintain key systems essential to the Alliance’s federal and external affairs work.

• Maintain and update databases and distribution lists used by the Alliance Secretariat to stay in regular contact with federal and external partners, including points of contact at the White House, federal agencies, non-profits, think tanks, and advocacy groups.
• Systematize intake of requests for external partner engagements across the organization to streamline decision-making, ensure our limited time is used effectively, and strengthen our role and reputation in the climate space.
• Oversee modernization of the Alliance’s federal policy trackers and external partner contacts database to be more dynamic, more user-friendly, and more easily updated for both Alliance members and Secretariat staff.
• In partnership with the Communications and Programs & Analysis Teams, support integration of the federal policy tracking system inside our new member portal.

Conduct research, create presentations, and draft written materials to support Alliance members and increase public awareness of state climate action.

• Provide regular updates to Alliance members and Secretariat staff on federal climate action with implications for state climate policy, including through staff meetings, our weekly newsletter, and biweekly meetings with Governor-Office Representatives, among other forums.
• Prepare relevant content for quarterly external newsletters.
• Create materials that support major Alliance meetings and workshops, including by working with Alliance states, consulting outside experts, and conducting desk research.
• Develop talking points for Secretariat staff members who are speaking with external audiences to ensure we are speaking with one voice and telling the Alliance’s story most effectively.
• Draft federal components of the Alliance’s annual strategic work-planning process, partnering collaboratively with Secretariat colleagues to ensure alignment across teams and workstreams.
• Conduct research and analysis and draft material for Alliance products across other sectors as needed.

Represent the Alliance in meetings and events with external partners.

• Attend events and meetings with federal and external partners as needed and ensure that meeting notes and action items are appropriately documented and tracked.
• Act as a liaison with partner climate organizations, representing the Alliance and serving as a primary point of contact for cross-sectoral and federally focused partners and coalitions.
• With the Federal & External Affairs Manager, convene discussions among Secretariat staff with federal policy portfolios to ensure coordination across sectors, overcome barriers to action, and support the development of whole-of-government approaches to our work.
• Support the Secretariat staff in communicating regularly and maintaining relationships with key partners across the federal government.

Maximize impact of the Alliance’s work by cultivating cooperative partnerships and supporting amplification of major moments.

• In partnership with the Federal & External Affairs Manager, support the development and execution of rollout plans for Alliance announcements, newsletters, press releases and events, maximizing the impact of key announcements with relevant partners.
• Disseminate announcements and updates and amplify high-profile moments for the Alliance.
• Develop invitation lists for special events, working closely with the Leadership Team to expand our reach with interested partners and create new opportunities for both informal networking and formal partner engagement.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience required.
• 2-3 years of experience working with climate and clean energy organizations, with past experience working in or around state government preferred.
• Demonstrate strong research, analytical, writing, presentation, and briefing skills.
• Familiarity with U.S. climate and energy policy, with deep knowledge of federal and congressional policy landscape. Capitol Hill experience a major plus.
• Critical thinker who can generate products tailored to different audiences without requiring frequent direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to tailor one’s style and content to meet a variety of circumstances.
• Familiarity with tracking systems and databases (e.g., Microsoft Excel or Airtable) and project management platforms is preferred.
• As part of a small and busy team, key skills include:
  • Self-motivated with strong ability to find solutions in the face of challenges.
  • Maximum flexibility in accepting and professionally executing a range of tasks.
  • Demonstrate ability to prioritize multiple, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to diplomatically engage diverse counterparts and use personal discretion in working with sensitive information.
  • Ability to work under pressure and handle stress.

Our Values

The Secretariat’s core values represent our team’s highest priorities and driving forces. These values are the heart of how we go about doing our work in support of each other and our member governors and states, serving as cultural cornerstones and exemplified by all members of our team.  

• Purpose: We are aligned by a common purpose to confront the climate crisis and its impacts through the power of state government. We connect our daily work to the Alliance’s mission and, in pursuit of our shared goals, always act in the best interest of our governors and states.  
• Excellence: We have high standards in the work we do to support Alliance governors and states. We are focused, data-driven, and attentive to the smallest of details while never losing sight of the big picture.   
• Empathy: We value kindness and treat others with dignity and respect, recognizing that our actions affect one another and all those with whom we interact. We consider growth, learning, and development to be priorities.   
• Inclusion: We actively work to increase diversity, advance equity, and cultivate a welcoming work environment where everyone feels valued. We are collaborators and prioritize teamwork — knowing that it will take our broader community all working together to ultimately solve the climate crisis.   
• Balance: We value a positive work environment and, even in the hectic day-to-day, we make the time to build relationships, celebrate successes, and laugh. We know that balancing home and work lives is essential and encourage each other to put the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones first.   

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