Climate and Clean Energy Policy Lead

The Climate and Clean Energy Policy Lead will drive our advocacy efforts to transition to a just and equitable energy future. This individual will lead the organization’s work in advocating for policies, initiatives, and strategies that support a clean energy transition, focusing on utility advocacy, renewable energy adoption, energy affordability, and enhancing energy access and resilience. They will collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and communities to ensure that the transition to renewable energy prioritizes frontline communities most impacted by environmental injustice. The Climate and Clean Energy Lead will help shape a sustainable energy landscape that promotes equity and inclusion for all by addressing these critical focus areas.

This position will report to the Climate Justice Program Manager.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Energy Policy Leadership & Strategy Development

• Lead the development and execution of strategies that advance the just transition to renewable energy, ensuring that policies reflect the needs of frontline communities represented in the coalition.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align energy justice objectives with organizational goals and broader environmental and climate justice movements.

Policy Development & Advocacy

• Develop and advocate for policy recommendations that support a fair and equitable transition to renewable energy at the state level and provide environmental, economic, and social benefits to vulnerable and overburdened communities, focusing on low-income communities and communities of color.
• Develop the Front and Centered research and advocacy agenda for Washington State’s greenhouse gas reduction policies.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments in energy policy, offering timely recommendations for promoting energy equity and a just transition.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, environmental organizations, and grassroots groups, to strengthen the movement for a just transition.
• Coordinate with Front and Centered policy teams to lend professional skills and subject matter expertise to multiple issue areas in the climate and environmental justice policy portfolio.

Community Engagement & Empowerment

• Work directly with Front and Center coalition members and communities impacted by energy injustice to ensure their needs and voices are included in policy development.
• Lead and facilitate community forums, workshops, and listening sessions to engage stakeholders in the clean energy transition and policy development.
• Develop and analyze policy concepts from grassroots input, literature, outreach, and collaboration with partners, applying Front and Centered policy frameworks.
• Coordinate policy development and research projects with community stakeholders, government, and partner organizations.

Other Functions and Responsibilities

• Participate and attend various meetings, including but not limited to Front and Centered coordination team meetings and coalition meetings representing Front and Centered.
• Other tasks as identified to ensure Front and Centered meets its obligations and objectives
• Provide clear, transparent communication that builds trust and accountability toward the interests of Front and Centered and coalition communities via the authorship of reports, blogs, and public comments.
• Produce and conduct presentations about Front & Centered at different external stakeholder meetings and events.
• Create and manage data and assessment methods to evaluate progress and outcomes, share them with members and funders, and inform and shape future efforts.

NOTE: This job description includes but is not limited to the job duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements contained herein. Additional duties, responsibilities, qualifications or requirements may be required at the direction of the Executive Director or the Policy Team Managers.

Schedule

This is a full-time (35 hrs/week), Washington state-based position. Office hours are typically Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend work. We currently work under a hybrid remote-work arrangement model: work-from-home and onsite/in-person environments. Some travel is required; Front and Centered hosts in-person staff meetings up to four times a year (when COVID allows safe travel and social interactions) and hosts a number of in-person and virtual convenings throughout the year.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position of 35 hours per week. Salary range is $67,175 to $85,711, however, we anticipate starting the position between $73,000 up to $85,711. Front and Centered’s benefits package includes medical and dental insurance coverage, 4 weeks paid vacation, sick leave, and 17 paid holidays. Front and Centered values our employees and ongoing professional development and growth.

Qualifications and Experience

Ideal candidate will possess:

• Subject matter expertise in energy policy and energy regulatory process in Washington State.
• Passion for environmental justice with an emphasis on climate justice through energy justice, energy democracy, energy equity principles, and equitable carbon reduction strategies.
• Experience (years may overlap):
  • At least three years of professional experience in energy policy and/or Utilities and Transportation Commission proceedings.
  • At least two years of professional experience in community organizing or engagement, including relationship building, understanding community concerns, and strategic mobilization to achieve a goal.
  • At least two years of experience and demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity or working directly in and for communities of color.
  • Ability to engage community leaders and their members across diverse statewide groups using remote, and in-person engagement strategies and resources.
  • Strong commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Front and Centered
  • Proven ability to take initiative, identify priorities, accomplish tasks, and advance projects.
  • Team player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
  • Highly organized and resourceful with a strong attention to detail
  • Experience working in diverse communities, namely with people of color, indigenous peoples, and disenfranchised communities.
• Familiarity with multiple stakeholder campaigns and participatory design
• Demonstrated skills in project management and relationship management
• Excellent collaboration skills, ability to work in diverse groups to develop ideas, find alignment, and build together against competing demands
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including skills in communicating complex information to frontline communities
• Desire and ability to learn about new issues and areas
• Highly organized and resourceful with a strong attention to detail and ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of state and local frontline communities, equity and social justice issues, and in particular environment and climate justice, preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity or working directly in and for communities of color with experience working in diverse communities namely with people of color and indigenous peoples as well as disenfranchised communities.
• Strong commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Front and Centered, including a service ethic and commitment to racial justice.
• Proven ability to take initiative, identify priorities and accomplish tasks, and advance projects, including ability to work within a team to execute and work independently.
• Team player capable of working both collaboratively and independently.
• Deep knowledge and passion for social movements, environmental justice and racial justice.
• Experience working with and taking direction from frontline communities and working with community based organizations.
• Ability to travel and attend meetings, potentially on weekends and evenings.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@frontandcentered.org, put “Position Title” and “name” as the subject line of the email.

Deadline: Priority Deadline is Friday, May 2nd. Applications will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis
with interviews anticipated to start mid May.

Preferred Start Date: Ideally by June/July 2025