Midwest Energy Advocate, Union of Concerned Scientists – Illinois

Organization: Union of Concerned Scientists

Position Title: Energy Advocate (Midwest)

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Hours and Compensation: This is a one-year, temporary position. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is in the high $50s to high $60s.

Application Deadline: November 2, 2014

Description: Based in UCS’s Chicago, IL office, the Energy Advocate is responsible for advocating for UCS’s legislative and regulatory policy positions in key Midwest states, particularly related to advancing clean energy and other efforts to reduce carbon pollution.  The Energy Advocate supports UCS’s research, analysis, communications and outreach efforts and engages with policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders to promote greater use of clean energy resources and reduce fossil fuel use at the state, regional and national level.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement legislative and regulatory advocacy initiatives in key states to promote and support UCS clean energy policies and positions. Represent UCS positions in meetings with governor’s offices, state agency staff, environmental and utility regulators, state legislators and legislative staff, and other stakeholders.
• Track and evaluate relevant legislative bills, policies, and regulations. Compile, draft, and deliver comments and testimony for public agencies and legislators on energy policy issues, including expert testimony and cross-examination in regulatory and legislative proceedings.
• Develop legislative strategies that target key decision-makers in collaboration with UCS outreach staff. Collaborate with outreach staff to mobilize UCS supports, scientists and other experts in support of UCS’s policy objectives.
• Utilize UCS’s research and analyses to support the organization’s efforts to advance policy, regulatory and market support for clean energy development in the electricity sector at the state and regional levels.
• Support the development of reports and other materials that highlight the results of UCS’s technical analyses. Maintain UCS’s engagement in coalitions and advise coalitions on advocacy strategy in accordance with UCS’s policy objectives.
• Represent UCS’s positions and convey UCS’s analyses in state and regional coalitions, at workshops, hearings, conferences, and other public forums. Consider impact of activities on UCS’s reputation and credibility in both public and private venues.

Qualifications: Position requires 5-7 years of comparable and relevant experience. Position requires broad knowledge of Midwest energy and climate issues as well as a thorough understanding of advocacy campaigns and the legislative process, including advocacy/lobbying techniques. Master’s degree level knowledge of energy and/or environmental issues with emphasis on a broad array of both clean and conventional energy technologies and policies in Midwest states is required.  A proven track record in the application of advocacy and lobbying techniques, proficient oral and written communications skills (including the ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences), and public and media relations capabilities are pre-requisites for this position.

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, salary requirements, how you learned about the position via email to [email protected] and include “Midwest Energy Advocate” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please.