Union of Concerned Scientists/Washington, DC
Senior Washington Representative
Union of Concerned Scientists
Clean Vehicles Program
Washington, DC Office
UCS is seeking an individual to work with a top-notch, multi-disciplinary team to develop and implement campaign plans for UCS's national work to reduce oil use and global warming pollution in the transportation sector. Under direction of the Director of the Clean Vehicles Program, the Senior Washington Representative will plan, coordinate, and participate in advocacy and outreach efforts in support of UCS's national transportation policy agenda. Lead select advocacy campaigns and provide support and strategic guidance for other campaigns aimed at achieving UCS policy goals. Advocate UCS clean vehicles policy agenda with Congress, the Executive Branch, and relevant agencies; participate in the development of UCS policy positions; represent UCS before media and public. Work with other organizations on coordinated lobbying and organizing strategies. Collaborate with members of the clean vehicles team and other UCS programs and departments as needed; supervise interns and occasional consultants.
Responsibilities
• Lead advocacy efforts on select federal transportation campaigns. Develop and coordinate implementation of campaign strategy facilitating integration of analytic, advocacy, media, and outreach components. Serve as a project manager where appropriate. Participate in planning and strategy sessions for UCS's transportation legislative agenda.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with congressional representatives and their staff, administration and agency officials, advocates from allied organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Engage in advocacy activities such as meeting with administration officials and congressional staff. Provide UCS input into legislation and regulation; monitor bill progress and assist in producing desired legislative and regulatory outcomes. Write and edit materials for use on the Hill. Involve UCS researchers to provide technical information on transportation policy as necessary.
• Respond to requests for legislative and policy information and guidance. Provide regular updates on the status of key legislation and policy issues for UCS web page and print and other publications.
• Help plan and participate in lobby days and other outreach activities. Represent UCS at public events and conferences. Present information to various groups, including regulators, legislative committees, civic and community organizations, etc. Write testimony, fact sheets, briefing papers, speeches, presentations, and other advocacy materials, sometimes in collaboration. Participate in conference panels and briefings.
• Respond to press inquiries on selected transportation and related climate issues. Maintain effective working relationships and frequent contact with press representatives who cover Congress on relevant issues. Write and contribute to materials for distribution to the media. Maintain working knowledge of general vehicles policy issues and legislation, and clean vehicles technologies and their applications.
• Represent the Clean Vehicles Program on internal groups and coordinate advocacy activities and issue campaign needs with UCS development, communications, and administrative staff.
Qualifications and experience
Position requires knowledge of effective issue campaign development, a thorough understanding of advocacy campaigns and the legislative process, including advocacy techniques, legislative strategy, as well as familiarity with the relevant Congressional committees and the decision-making process of the executive branch of the federal government. Working knowledge of transportation and climate policy is preferred, as are skills in public speaking and written communication. A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. Training or experience in supervision and project management is also desirable. Proficiency in word processing and database software is required.
Work requires five to seven years of comparable and relevant experience to include campaign planning, legislative process, advocacy skills, project management, and an understanding of political organizing and planning/strategy development at the federal or state level. A prerequisite for this position is proven advocacy and communication skills and experience working either in Congress, in government implementing programs and policies, or for NGOs working to influence governmental decision-making. Up to one year of on-the-job training is needed to become familiar with UCS organization, philosophy, programs and constituencies.
At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full time position based in UCS's Washington, DC office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is in the $70,000s. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, salary requirements, how you learned about the position, resume and writing sample via email and include “Washington Rep” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: June 22 or until filled.
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