Senior Manager, Climate Policy

Job Description:

Position Summary:

Audubon seeks a motivated, dynamic individual to lead its California Climate Program. In collaboration with the California Director of Public Policy and in coordination with the National Audubon Society Climate Program, the Senior Manager, Climate Policy will plan, implement, and achieve Audubon’s climate policy goals, including facilitating new renewable energy resources and transmission that are efficiently developed, well-sited, and benefit communities and the environment. The Senior Manager will be responsible for researching, developing, and implementing science-based policy positions that advance more equitable climate policies in California, meeting the State of California’s zero carbon pollution emissions goal by 2045. The Senior Manager will oversee several projects related to Audubon’s climate policy in California, including the nature-based climate solutions, on- and off-shore wind development, industrial scale solar, distributed energy generation, transmission, and emerging renewable energy technologies. This position will represent Audubon California in diverse coalitions, in the media, and before relevant boards and agencies. The Senior Manager will also manage contracts with external consultants and technical advisor as needed. Finally, the Senior Manager will provide expertise to senior leadership staff and chapter leaders regarding climate and renewable energy opportunities and challenges in California.

This is an on-site position located at the Audubon Sacramento Office.

Compensation:

$95,000 - $110,000 / year

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

• Plan and implement Audubon California’s climate policy strategies to advance the National Audubon Society’s climate goals in coordination with the Policy Director and the National Audubon Climate Team; activities will include tracking and engaging on major policy issues, including legislation, regulatory activity, agency oversight, and implementation of California’s strategies to achieve net zero carbon pollution emissions by 2045.

• Represent Audubon California before governmental decision-makers on issues related to climate policy, including preparing and providing written and verbal comments, public presentations, and testimony.

• Strategize with Audubon’s communications team on external communications to advance our climate policy priorities and elevate Audubon’s presence on climate policy in California.

• Identify how Audubon’s bird conservation program goals can be advanced through emerging climate policies and initiatives in close collaboration with California staff.

• Play a lead role in liaising with National Audubon climate staff on issues that affect Audubon’s work in California.

• Educate and engage Audubon members and supporters, including our 49 state chapters, to take local and regional actions that advance responsible renewable energy, transmission, and climate resilience policies.

• Oversee external policy consultants and technical advisors, including developing contracts and managing their scope of work, deliverables, and performance.

• Work closely with and provide leadership to diverse coalitions that work on state climate policy that affect renewable energy development, transmission, nature-based climate solutions and incorporate values of ecological protection and environmental justice; seek opportunities to grow and expand coalitions.

• Provide climate policy technical expertise to other Audubon California program staff, including the Conservation, Working Lands, Coasts, and Desert programs.

• Identify potential state budget and agency funding opportunities for Audubon climate priorities in coordination with the California policy team.

• Prepare and make verbal and written communications to external interested parties and the media on Audubon’s policy priorities.

• Provide regular updates to California leadership on progress and outputs of our climate policy work.

• Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork, equity, and trust.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in policy, environmental science, political science, or another relevant field preferred.

• Seven years of experience in climate policy; experience working with governmental agencies and decision-makers.  An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Experience engaging diverse audiences and galvanizing supporters to take action.

• Project management, including trackin