Power Your Community, South Central Campaigner

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

POSITION SUMMARY  

Natural Resources Defense Council is seeking an experienced campaigner to lead concurrent local campaigns organizing labor, especially International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members, in support of renewable energy projects in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The ideal candidate will be familiar with applicable siting processes and laws in these states and will have prior experience in campaign management and community organizing. Experience working with the renewable energy industry and/or labor unions is a plus. While much of this work will be done remotely, significant travel will be required. 

This is a limited term 2 year position. 

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).   

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: 

• Create and implement strategic plans to support targeted renewable energy projects in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. This includes choosing the advocacy tools (e.g. paid and earned media outreach, letter writing, and organizing events) building support for key partners, managing consultants, and adhering to budgets. related to each local campaign. 
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with labor regional and local leaderships and developers active in the district states. 
• Work with NRDC's state policy leads, government affairs staff, and other staff and represent the Natural Resources Defense Council to various stakeholders including local decision makers, renewable energy developers, and strategic partner organizations including applicable labor unions. 
• Work to secure commitments from renewable energy developers to utilize a union workforce by helping to amplify the union’s benefits to the project developer and the local community. 
• Contribute to landscape assessments of potential projects and recommend states and projects to focus on 
• Collaborate with members and leaders of local labor unions to build buy-in and coordinate campaign plan 
• Assist in developing and executing fundraising strategies, including donor outreach, grant applications, and event coordination, to support organizational growth and sustainability. 
• Write, edit, and review educational and advocacy materials. 
• Travel regularly for project campaign activations (hearings, public information meetings, etc) within target states, union conferences mostly in target states, developer conferences in and out of target states, and in-person team gatherings that may or may not take place at NRDC's offices. 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. 

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience:  

• B.A./B.S. degree in an environmental or political field, or an advanced degree in energy-related issues, or the equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required 
•  4-7 years of experience in the planning and implementation of campaigns, which includes strategy, organizing, media, fundraising, budget planning, and work with political leaders 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Demonstrated track record of cultivating and maintaining high-level relationships with political, non-profit advocacy, philanthropic, and/or labor leaders 
• Aptitude for developing and sustaining a coherent and collective external advocacy message 
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced and ever-evolving environment 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to develop and navigate relationships with influential individuals 
• Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability 
• Knowledge of the utility-scale renewable energy industry and organized labor 
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices and other locations, approximately 25% annually 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently:  Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite  

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $117,000 to $130,000.  

Perks & Benefits 

Not only do we care about taking care of our planet, we care about taking care of you. When you join our team, we invest in your total well-being. Here is a small glimpse on how we plan to support you: 

• Time to Unplug & Recharge: Enjoy a generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week to reset for the new year. 

• Family – First: Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements for all NRDCers 

• For your Future: Matching 403b whether you contribute or not 

• Hybrid Policy: The freedom to balance your time around your needs that means, 8 days per month in-office. In-office day requirements can be met with off-site work events such as retreats, conferences, and other work-related travel. 

• Well – being: Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.