Environmental Defense Fund is hiring a
Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.
We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.
Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?
This is a one-year, fixed-term position with the possibility of extension or renewal.
Locations: This role can be based out of any EDF US office or can be fully remote in the contiguous U.S.
Energy Transition Overview
The goal of the Energy Transition Team is to bend the curve on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel production and use by 2030, while meeting the world's energy needs cleanly and equitably. We are achieving this through a defined set of objectives targeted at:
1) reducing emissions from fossil production, delivery, and use, and
2) reducing demand for fossil fuels in power generation, transportation, buildings, and industry.
To achieve our goal, we seek reforms in law, regulation, and/or business practice through a a mix of strategic corporate partnerships, direct engagement with policymakers, and mobilizing investor and public sentiment in favor of change. In formulating and achieving our strategies, we will work in close collaboration with EDF regions, draw on cutting-edge science and rigorous economic and financial analysis, and act on principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to develop durable solutions.
OVERALL FUNCTION
The Policy Manager, Energy Transition will play a key role in helping to develop and manage EDF's legislative, regulatory, and technical work around eliminating persistent orphaned oil and gas wells in the United States. Under the direction of the Director and Senior Attorney, Energy Transition, the Policy Manager will assist in designing and implementing policy initiatives. Additionally, this position will organize and manage efforts to reform financial assurance, idle well management, well transfer, and orphan well funding mechanisms, primarily at the state level, toward ensuring that all oil and gas wells are plugged in a timely fashion, at the end of their useful lives, with industry resources. The Policy Manager will be responsible for furthering policy goals by helping create and manage strategic coalitions and relationships with industry, regulators, policy makers, opinion leaders, community groups and other environmental NGOs. This position will work in close coordination with EDF communications, policy, technical, and campaign teams to support these efforts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Work collaboratively with EDF team members in identifying, developing, and overseeing execution of advocacy and research projects to advance EDF's orphan well policy reform priorities, primarily domestically at the state level and in emerging international arenas.
Design, implement, and manage broadly defined policy projects, including working collaboratively with campaign management, policy, legal, and technical experts both within and outside of EDF and bringing together resources to advance EDF's policy objectives.
Conduct and oversee research and analysis involving complex activities and multiple data sets and utilize results to develop and manage communications strategies (including paid, earned, and social media) in collaboration with Energy Transition Communications team to achieve policy objectives.
Perform policy analysis and development for legislation and regulations identifying near-term leverage points and opportunities for improving rules governing oil and gas well closure and reducing environmental and community impacts.
Manage external consultant relationships and partnerships with other organizations and coalitions.
Participate in technical, regulatory, and other stakeholder engagement activities related to legacy oil and gas infrastructure management and other issues as relevant.
Implement and oversee targeted strategies for gaining consensus among key decision makers and thought leaders on policy recommendations to achieve goals - particularly through cooperative efforts between oil and gas industry participants and environmental NGOs.
Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, regulators and agency staff, market participants, local officials and community leaders, environmental NGOs, environmental justice groups, reporters, and other opinion leaders.
Contribute to internal and external communication initiatives, and collaborating with the Energy Transition Communications team where applicable, by writing research memos, blogs and opinion editorials, internal reporting documents, and grant proposals and reports as relevant.
Advance EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
6 years of experience working to effect change in policy issues or regulatory processes, including a demonstrated history of success in achieving environmental policy reforms through negotiations with industry, regulators, elected officials, and other public-interest stakeholders required.
Master’s degree in science, policy, economics, or law in areas related to the environment and/or energy preferred and may substitute for up to 2 years of experience.
Strong understanding of policymaking, structure and political processes and experience with legislative and regulatory structures, and solid understanding of the political dynamics surrounding a broad range of energy issues and the wider political context in which they operate.
Demonstrated project management experience, including ability to: develop vision, mission and strategies; and plan/manage activities of project team.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, research skills, and analytic capabilities.
Ability to prioritize, be flexible, and manage a diverse workload in a rapidly evolving environment.
Knowledge of environmental and regulatory issues related to oil and gas production, particularly those dealing with climate, air quality, well integrity, water and waste management, infrastructure development, impacts to ecosystems and communities, and compliance and enforcement, is preferred.
Results-oriented, self-starter with the ability to think strategically and work on fast-paced, dynamic issues.
Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative leader or member of teams in a dynamic and creative environment.
Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Willingness and ability to engage in occasional travel, mostly domestic up to 15% of time; potential international travel as work progresses.
We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.
The pay range for this role is shown below.
Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.
USD $84,000.00/Yr.
USD $90,000.00/Yr.
Environmental Defense Fund 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.