Climate Policy & Outreach Specialist

Job Description
Position: Climate Policy & Outreach Specialist

Location: Laredo, TX (must be based in Laredo)

Hours: Salaried, FT position Salary: $50,000 to $52,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: Some company benefits, paid holidays, paid time off

Location: RGISC office, Laredo, TX

Founded in 1994, the Rio Grande International Study Center is a hard-hitting and fast-moving environmental advocacy group whose mission is to protect and preserve our only source of drinking water, the Rio Grande, and our regional environment for present lives and future generations. Our focus areas are water security, habitat protection, community engagement, and climate impacts. Choices we make today, combined with RGISC's efforts to conserve this vital river ecosystem and the biodiversity that it sustains, will directly impact its survival and our community's well-being for years to come.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Climate Policy & Outreach Specialist is responsible for supporting RGISC's strategic vision to address climate impacts and help create a sustainable, resilient and climate-safe future for our South Texas region. This entails leading policy and outreach efforts to reduce emissions from methane flaring and developing a decarbonization plan for Laredo. This team member will conduct policy outreach, network with stakeholders and regulatory agencies, and devise advocacy campaigns at the local level that build broad public support and secure necessary commitments from decision makers.

The successful candidate will be committed to, and have demonstrated experience with climate justice, frontline leadership, policy research, community outreach, coalition building and strategic planning. The position reports to the Executive Director. The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge and broad understanding of climate change and especially how it impacts rivers and wetland environments. The Specialist must demonstrate an appreciation for the urgency with which our community needs to respond to this global crisis, and the motivation to create awareness, advocacy, and action.

Responsibilities:

1. Work directly with the Executive Director in formulating RGISC's goals to address and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from methane flaring, diesel engines, and other sources.

2. Conduct outreach with individuals, private sector entities, community partners, regulatory agencies, and decision-makers to develop meaningful policy and business solutions.

3. Stay up to date on the latest climate science and analysis related to our region. Maintain organized citations of relevant research. Produce data analysis as needed to support speeches, public statements, and other campaign materials.

4. Translate scientific content into clear and concise summaries that the average citizen can understand and relate to.

5. Craft media and awareness campaigns that educate and inform the public about methane emissions and flaring, their impacts to our health and environment, and their contributions to the growing climate crisis.

6. Engage in regulatory and legislative efforts, especially around key moments during the federal rulemaking process and state legislative process, to support emissions reductions.

7. Advocate for solutions that dramatically reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions while providing for greater water security and restored natural hydrology.

8. Plan events and prepare presentations for strategic audiences.

9. Prepare vibrant promotional material and digital content.

10. Engage with a growing Texas network of organizers on methane emissions, flaring, and climate solutions, by connecting RGISC work in Laredo to other parts of Texas.

11. Prepare grant proposals and engage with foundations and other funding entities.

12. Performing other relevant work duties, as assigned by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILL SETS

• A passion for driving change.

• Bachelor's or Graduate degree in Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Political Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Public Administration, Business or relevant field.

• At least one year of experience researching, writing about, or otherwise engaging in climate change issues. • Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups of people.

• Strong interest in addressing climate change with policy implementation, stakeholder outreach, and advocacy campaigns. • Demonstrated experience with policy research.

• Demonstrated experience with community outreach and organizing.

• Demonstrated experience with data management and analytical skills.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English. • Strong oral and written communication skills in Spanish, desired but not required.

• Experience with Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

• Detail-oriented and able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Interested in the opportunity to build a strong professional network with stakeholders engaged around methane emissions, flaring, decarbonization, and other climate solutions.

• Familiarity with digital content creation (i.e. videos, social media).

• Knowledge of grants management.

• Ability to focus on details and the larger RGISC mission.

• Knowledge of the oil and gas industry, preferable.

• Experience in supervising employees or volunteers, preferable.

• Adaptable and able to pivot as priorities change.

• Ability to take initiative and ownership for projects and deadlines, while working on multiple projects simultaneously. • Commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

• Ability to work occasional weekends or evening hours.

• Maintain a valid Texas Drivers License, valid insurance and reliable transportation.

Application Instructions

• Send your CV or resume (maximum 2 pages) and names of three references

• Important: Please ensure your documents are saved in one file, with the following name format: YOURNAME_Climate Specialist_DATE

• Accepting applications until the position is filled.

RGISC is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Company DescriptionFounded in 1994, the Rio Grande International Study Center is a hard-hitting, fast-moving environmental advocacy group whose mission is to protect and preserve our only source of drinking water, the Rio Grande, and our regional environment for present lives and future generations. Our focus areas are water security, habitat protection, community engagement, and climate impacts. All things environmental are connected to all other things environmental. Choices we make today, combined with
RGISC's efforts to conserve this vital river ecosystem and the biodiversity that it sustains, will directly impact its survival for years to come.