Context: Plans, directs and manages all aspects, including strategic, of the legislative and administrative advocacy program for assigned elements of the Sierra Club’s Clean Energy for All initiatives, including, but not limited to policies designed to block development of dirty fuels. The Deputy Legislative Director for Clean Energy will develop and carry out a federal advocacy campaign on issues including clean energy legislation, energy tax incentives, climate impacts, and other issues as assigned.
Scope: The Deputy Legislative Director for Clean Energy and Dirty Fuels provides experienced leadership and strategic planning for legislative and administrative advocacy for the Sierra Club’s Clean Energy for All initiatives, including those directed to block dirty fuel development. Manages the overall advocacy effort, develops priorities and timetables, plans and develops strategies, evaluates advocacy campaign effectiveness. Represents the Sierra Club with government officials at the highest levels, acts as a senior spokesperson and policy expert with the media and other organizations. Builds and maintains strong relationships with top level Congressional and Administration officials and leverages those relationships to advance clean energy solutions and climate action. Acts as a senior advisor to staff colleagues and volunteers. Works with Advancement to provide senior level donor stewardship and cultivation.
- Directs and conducts all aspects of a federal legislative and administrative advocacy program for assigned elements of the Sierra Club’s Clean Energy for All initiatives. Works with national campaign, capacity and program staff and volunteer leadership. Oversees the development and implementation of the legislative and administrative advocacy efforts to support overarching campaign plans.
- Lobbies members of Congress, other state/federal officials on behalf of the Club on issues relevant to clean energy and climate initiatives. Develops relationships with elected public officials and their staffs at the highest level. Develops and conducts lobby campaigns associated with the assigned national program targeting these decision makers.
- Develops and cultivates relationships with administration officials and their senior staff, from key agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy and CEQ. Develops/directs administrative lobby campaigns associated with clean energy and dirty fuel initiatives.
- Conducts media outreach activities related to the campaign/program, including developing strategic media outreach plans. Serves as spokesperson for the Sierra Club on clean energy, climate and other issues for both reactive response and proactive pitching to media outlets. Promotes volunteer media exposure.
- Provides strategic guidance and oversees the development of educational and campaign issues information. This may include the writing, editing and distribution of fact sheets, newsletters, alerts and take actions, and political and educational materials. It may also include the writing, editing and reviewing of articles, blogs and social media content for conservation publications.
- Supports and provides senior level professional expertise to staff and volunteers. Works to ensure that volunteer leadership is effectively engaged in the legislative and administrative advocacy efforts. Provides conservation and legislative/administrative advocacy training to volunteers.
- Supports and provides senior level professional and policy expertise to executive team and volunteer leadership. Introduces creative ideas and approaches for consideration.
- Serves as high-level surrogate, represents the Sierra Club to the general public, media, allied groups and other outside officials.
- 3 - 5 years’ experience as a Washington D.C. representative, or in a comparable position in another organization which includes substantial experience planning and managing a national level legislative campaign, including strategy, organizing, lobbying , media, fundraising, program and employee management, budget planning and management, and work with senior level political leaders.
- Substantial experience in the strategic planning and direction of legislative campaigns and programs.
- Expert knowledge with the specific program field.
- Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.
- Substantial experience, demonstrated skill and ability, in national media relations. Includes effective television and radio presence, knowledge of media technologies including video, radio and print production processes.
- Expert lobbying ability.
- Substantial experience and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers.
The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.