Senior Climate Fellow, Solar Radiation Management

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 

NRDC is seeking a SRM Specialist to work with the Climate & Energy Department’s Industrial & Emerging Technologies team in any of our U.S. offices (Washington, D.C. preferred). 

Position Summary  

NRDC is seeking a SRM Specialist to help lead NRDC’s exploration of Solar Radiation Management (SRM). This position will play a key role in the Climate & Energy Department’s Industry and Emerging Technologies Division as it brings NRDC’s multi-dimensional perspective and diverse competencies into efforts to 1) build greater understanding of SRM risks, benefits, and trade-offs, 2) support responsible SRM research, and 3) help shape governance and guardrails necessary to ensure that research programs and policy decisions are transparent and consider public interests. The fellow will co-lead NRDC’s SRM work, working closely with senior staff in the Climate and Energy Department and the Science Office.   

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:  

• Work with a cross-functional team to execute NRDC’s SRM strategy to achieve desired research and policy outcomes. 
• Serve as one of NRDC’s internal and external experts on SRM, providing authoritative analysis, recommendations, and guidance across teams and to senior leadership. 
• Shape and advance SRM governance frameworks and policy positions, engaging with federal, state, and international bodies. 
• Represent NRDC as a leading voice on SRM in external fora, including multilateral institutions (e.g., UNEA, Montreal Protocol), conferences, media, and high-level stakeholder engagements. 
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with policymakers, researchers, NGOs, and coalitions, influencing research directions and policy outcomes. 
• Develop and lead high-impact advocacy strategies and materials to inform decision-makers and public discourse on SRM risks, benefits, and governance. 
• Anticipate and analyze emerging technical, policy, and geopolitical developments in SRM, translating them into forward-looking strategies for NRDC. 
• Provide expert counsel and strategic guidance to senior leadership and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment across advocacy, legal, science, and communications efforts. 
• Lead cross-organizational coordination to integrate SRM into NRDC’s broader climate and energy strategies. 
• Support and guide NRDC’s participation in high-level external initiatives, including planning and leading events, convenings, and collaborative efforts. 

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:  

• 7+ years of experience working in climate change mitigation research, advocacy or policy. 
• Bachelor’s degree or greater in environmental science and policy, engineering, or science. Master’s degree in environmental science or policy preferred. 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Awareness of, and comfort navigating, a range of complex sensitivities related to SRM.  
• Demonstrated ability to build and work within coalitions, including those that reach beyond the traditional environmental community. 
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills. 
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and networking skills. 
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with technical details.  
• Direct experience working on SRM at federal, state or international levels. 
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices 
• 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 

Frequently: Hand draw illustrations for advocacy materials 

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 $130,000 to $150,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

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.