The Climate Equity Working Group (CEWG) is an equity-focused coalition of community groups advancing climate justice statewide in Virginia. Our members are committed to centering folks who have been impacted and harmed by climate change by viewing processes and solutions through a racial, economic, geographic, social, and cultural equity lens. CEWG believes that winning means not only a policy win but also a redistribution of power.
CEWG is searching for a Policy Director to help lead the collaborative work of this six-group coalition. The Director will report directly to representatives of Climate Equity Working Group member organizations, and will carry out those duties designated by the coalition, including, but not limited to:
Grounding and Operationalizing our Shared Work
- Develop and operationalize practices of shared governance, decision-making, and power-building within the workgroup
- Develop and implement systems for communication among members
- Design, facilitate, and document regularly scheduled meetings
- Manage relationships within the workgroup, using conflict resolution, facilitation, and other interpersonal skills as needed
- Maintain and support the implementation of a shared work plan, and assist in the development of outreach and organizing strategies
- Track and advance the workgroup’s progress toward strategic objectives as lead staff, and support workgroup members in carrying out various activities
- Coordinate project and tasks management among workgroup members
Coordinating the Implementation of our Work
- Support the advancement of policy priorities in the lead up to and during the annual General Assembly session
- Coordinate efforts to enact our policy priorities, which may require individual lobbying, grassroots lobbying or mobilization, external stakeholders, coordinating meetings with state agencies, and other advocacy strategies
- Develop and help implement coalition outreach and organizing strategies to build statewide power toward our coalition goals
Political Analysis, Policy Development, and Advocacy
- Act as the primary advocate for CEWG legislative priorities during and in advance of the General Assembly session
- Build and maintain relationships with key lawmakers throughout the year
- Engage with executive branch officials, including agency staff, as necessary
- Steer policy development in conjunction with stakeholders
Additional Communications and Planning Responsibilities
- Draft public communication, outreach materials, and internal research documents for review and approval among workgroup participants
- Serve as the primary point of contact for current and potential workgroup members and with external partners and networks
- Maintain a working-relationship with the workgroup’s financial sponsor to help complete administrative tasks and campaign or event related responsibilities
- Take on specific roles as needed, such as planning for grassroots lobby days, outreach events, etc.
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of demonstrated experience with coalition building and campaign planning with grassroots and community-based organizations, (Preference for someone with experience working on or managing grassroots campaigns.)
- Demonstrated commitment to racial justice, social justice, and belief in collective action as an approach to social change
- Demonstrated ability to bring people together across sectors and organizations to advance shared goals, working with diverse groups on clean energy and social, economic, and environmental justice issues
- Familiarity with the Virginia political landscape and the context of the climate and energy justice movement
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Skilled in conflict resolution, facilitation, or similar tools
- Experience running issue based campaign with clear theory of change, demands and escalation tactics
- Experience in power mapping – understanding political dynamics, key decision-makers and leverage points
- Track record of moving legislation through advocacy, and inside/outside strategies
- Proven ability to manage state legislative campaigns; preferably with existing relationships or experience in Virginia
- Existing relationships with key environmental and racial justice groups in VA (preferred)
- Strong existing relationships with Virginia state legislators (preferred)
In addition, the candidate must:
- Agree to a full-time position (40 hours per week) for an initial one-year period, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability.
- Have the capacity to work at home, somewhere in Virginia.
- Be able to advocate full-time in Richmond during the General Assembly session (January-March) and travel to district offices as necessary to build relationships with legislators and meetings.
- Be able to travel to Richmond and, less frequently, elsewhere in Virginia for in-person meetings.
Salary Range: $75,000-85,000/year
Full-time employees receive generous benefits, including full health, dental, vision, and childcare benefits, in addition to paid vacation, sick, parental, and family leave.
We strongly encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community to apply.
