NRDC is seeking a Building Decarbonization Advocate to join the Climate and Clean Energy program, preferably in our San Francisco office, but location in other NRDC U.S. offices possible. This full-time, 2-year term-limited position will help fulfill NRDC’s priority to reduce carbon pollution and safeguard the climate by advancing policies to eliminate the carbon pollution resulting from energy use in buildings, with an emphasis on switching from on-site use of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, and heating oil to high-efficiency equipment powered by increasingly clean electricity. The advocate will promote these policies in California and other states, through regulatory and legislative advocacy, in partnership with NRDC’s regional teams while also supporting improved building codes and federal policies.
- Advocate for state and regional policies that advance low- and zero-emission buildings through engagement with state legislatures, executive and administrative offices including written and oral testimony in regulatory proceedings and legislative hearings. Specific policy focus areas are likely to include:
- Incentive programs to develop the market for zero-emissions technologies and building practices;
- Building energy standards that support zero-emissions new buildings by 2030;
- Policies to decarbonize existing buildings;
- Coordination with stakeholders on the development of specifications for new and improved products that will reduce costs and enable market scale; and
- Legal or technical support of federal policies that support building decarbonization.
- Actively participate in regional environmental coalitions, building decarbonization stakeholder groups, conferences and events.
- Engage community groups, labor, electric utilities, builders, equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders to help ensure widespread access to low-emissions buildings including for low-income communities.
- Conduct, lead and/or support research and analysis of building decarbonization feasibility assessments and policy proposals.
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills, especially communicating technical and analytical information in a clear and persuasive manner;
- Strong technical research, analytical and quantitative skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting;
- Demonstrated ability to build and work within broad coalitions that reach beyond the traditional environmental community;
- Familiarity with environmental policy, ideally with building decarbonization, utility regulation and/or energy and climate change policy;
- Demonstrated ability to work with and manage consultants, fellows and/or interns on discrete projects;
- Demonstrated project management skills that could be readily applied to the job responsibilities listed above.