Government Affairs Senior Manager

Job Summary

WRI is undertaking an ambitious effort to electrify the US school bus fleet, and by doing so create cleaner air, healthier communities and normalize electric mobility for an entire generation. WRI's aim is to create unstoppable momentum over the next five years on a path towards electrifying the entire fleet of U.S. school buses by 2030.

In this role, you will help realize this goal by influencing federal action to unlock public funding and policy in support of the full electrification of school bus fleets. You will work closely with WRI's Director of Government Affairs and Legislative Engagement Associate to understand and monitor all opportunities to support school bus electrification at the federal level, lead outreach and maintain relationships with key congressional, non-profit and private sector actors on electric school buses legislation and amplify the findings and efforts of other components of WRI's school bus work with a congressional audience.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based at WRI's office in Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

* Lead Congressional outreach on electric school bus legislation
* Based on a thorough understanding of the issues and target audience around electrifying transport, along with Director of Government Affairs shape overall legislative strategy for electrifying school bus goal, including identify relevant congressional staff and committees to engage with, determine best messengers and methods of moving priorities forward, and maintain databases for targeted outreach, schedule and facilitate meetings, prepare and organize briefing materials, conduct meeting follow-up, and ensure internal coordination
* Manage relationships with key Hill players on these issues
* Engagement with Administration on executing goals and implementation issues of federal funding
* Develop and maintain relevant datasets on school buses and school districts, clean vehicles policy, public health, and other related topics to effectively target legislative engagement efforts, produce compelling communication tools, identify innovative methods to achieve WRI's electric school bus priorities, and assist colleagues in related tasks on other workstreams
* Research and assess complex policy issues related to electrifying transport, demonstrating a depth and breadth of knowledge on clean vehicle legislation and associated politics, to inform engagement strategies
* Write relevant short reports and working papers on research findings, lead the drafting of online postings, as a subject matter expert
* Review knowledge projects by others related to these issues
* Serve as a subject-matter expert on legislation and policy issues related to clean vehicle and transport electrification priorities and specifically re: achieving the electrification of school buses goal
* Monitor, report on and engage in as appropriate congressional proceedings, relevant actions in the private sector, NGO research and recommendations, and actions by other stakeholders, related to clean vehicle and transport electrification priorities
* Provide legislative engagement and clean vehicle policy insight across projects and centers, serving regularly as a peer reviewer and resource
* Manage WRI's relationship with groups and coalitions of NGOs, private sector actors, and congressional stakeholders working on clean vehicles and transport electrification, leveraging knowledge of WRI's work and expertise to achieve measurable positive outcomes.
* Independently attend relevant congressional and NGO community meetings and share and track outcomes
* Identify opportunities to expand and further WRI's outreach to the Hill on priority issues impacting the electrification of the US school bus fleet
* Provide support to other components of WRI's electric school bus work as needed and appropriate

Job Qualifications

* Master's degree in sustainable energy, public policy, or a related field (or a Bachelor's degree with two years of additional relevant work experience)
* Minimum of7 years of relevant, full-time work experience
* Experience with legislative engagement at the US federal (and state) policy level and knowledge of key players in the clean vehicles space
* Strong Hill relationships with those in the transportation policy arena
* Familiarity with current transportation electrification policy, legislative efforts and politics. Ideal candidate has extensive Hill related experience on these issues
* Strong research and writing skills, excellent data collection and management skills, and an ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
* Ability to work well in a team, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
* Experience developing and implementing legislative engagement strategies designed to both amplify the impacts of research on policy making and achieve discreet policy goals
* US work authorization is required for all WRI US opportunities. WRI cannot offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity

Potential Salary: $96,000 - $130,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Program Overview

WRI-U.S. works to advance practical solutions to reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions, deploy clean energy solutions, improve resilience to climate impacts, and achieve a strong, clean economy that benefits all Americans. We do so through rigorous peer-reviewed expert analysis, consultation, convening, coalition building, and clear communications. We work at all levels of government and with leading businesses across the United States. Our experience, reputation and connections in the policy arena, the private sector and beyond place us in a unique position to help shape federal and state climate, energy, transportation, and land sector policy and generate new ideas and practices for low-carbon development over the coming years.

WRI Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world's greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people's lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.