Western States Policy Advocate

TERM: Permanent

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote/Hybrid - Sacramento, California

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most pressing problems-from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

Science in the service of people and the planet. 

Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes-now, and for future generations. 

Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 

Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 

Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions. 

Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

THE POSITION

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is seeking a Western States Policy Advocate.

The Western States Policy Advocate will advocate in key state legislative and regulatory forums to support equitable policy solutions on clean transportation, clean energy, and climate change. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with important stakeholders and allied organizations. Help utilize UCS's expertise to influence policy design. Track relevant legislation, regulations, hearings and activities in designated states. Maintain working knowledge of policy issues and political developments. Develop advocacy materials. Support broader campaign activities to maximize the impact of UCS's advocacy. Support UCS internal efforts to create an anti-racist and inclusive work environment. Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies and others.

Advocate in key state legislative and regulatory forums to support equitable policy solutions on clean transportation, clean energy, and climate change. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with legislative and state agency representatives and their staff. Disseminate UCS reports, fact sheets, media clips, position letters and other supporting material to policy makers.

Establish and maintain strong working relationships with important stakeholders and allied organizations. Represent UCS in coalitions and collaborate with allied organizations. Help secure support for UCS priorities from a diverse set of organizations. Establish and maintain relationships with organizations representing environmental justice, equity, labor, business, health, and others.

Help utilize UCS's expertise to influence policy design. Working with UCS scientists and analysts, respond to legislative requests for scientific information and policy design proposals on UCS issues. Proactively disseminate UCS program positions to elected officials and government agencies.

Track relevant legislation, hearings and activities in designated states. Maintain a system to track key legislation, committee hearings, legislative deadlines, regulatory workshops, and other activities.

Maintain working knowledge of policy issues and political developments. Maintain necessary knowledge of vehicle electrification, clean energy, climate change impacts, and related policies, with an emphasis on equitable policy solutions. Maintain awareness of political developments in designated western states and how those developments might affect UCS goals and strategies.

Develop advocacy materials. Write testimony, letters, fact sheets, blogs, presentations, and other advocacy materials, in collaboration with other UCS staff.

Support broader campaign activities to maximize the impact of UCS's advocacy. Working with relevant UCS staff, provide input to the design of UCS analysis, communications activities, and engagement of UCS Science Network members and UCS supporters to ensure alignment with and maximize the impact of UCS's advocacy. Support related campaign activities, as appropriate. For example, help train UCS experts and activists to conduct effective constituent meetings.

Support UCS internal efforts to create an anti-racist and inclusive work environment. Contribute to the creation of a culture in which all staff feel safe, respected, and valued. Participate in program-wide processes and individual activities to advance internal justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) efforts. Identify any additional ways in which they can contribute to these goals.

Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS Ensures activities and statements enhance organizations reputation and credentials among press, public, and private sectors; promotes UCS, advances organizational objectives, and enhances funding opportunities.

Requirements

BASIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

Position requires knowledge of advocacy campaigns, legislative strategy, issue campaign development, and a familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes.

Significant self-motivation, strong personal time management, and interpersonal skills are essential. The ability to work both independently and in teams in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and deadlines is required.

Experience working in a state legislature or for NGOs working to influence governmental decision-making is strongly preferred.

Working knowledge of clean transportation, clean energy and climate policy issues, including analysis of policy proposals, is strongly preferred.

Direct experience in coalitions and relationship building, including demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds, is strongly preferred.

Excellent skills in written and verbal communication including public speaking.

Experience with incorporating equity, inclusion and justice into prior work/projects is strongly preferred.

Training or experience in project management is also desirable.

This position requires 3-5 years of relevant and comparable experience.

Masters Preferred

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

May spend extended periods at computer.

May require regional travel (3-4 times per year)

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time remote position based in close proximity to UCS's Sacramento office. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $80,531 to $90,600. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at .

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won't check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven't considered. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.