Virginia Climate Equity Policy Fellowship

** Following is a position with the Virginia Climate Equity Working Group, of which Appalachian Voices is a member **

ABOUT Climate Equity Working Group

The Virginia Climate Equity Working Group (CEWG) is an equity-focused coalition of six community groups advancing climate justice statewide in Virginia. CEWG is looking for a Climate Equity Policy Fellow to support the coalition’s powerful, proactive agenda for equitable, just, and transformative climate solutions in Virginia.

POSITION SUMMARY

CEWG is seeking a highly organized, thoughtful, detail-oriented Climate Equity Policy Fellow to join the team, participating in a 3-year Climate Equity Policy Fellowship program.

The primary goal of the Fellow position is to provide policy support and research while receiving training, mentoring, and coaching opportunities through formal programming aimed to develop expertise in equitable climate and clean energy policy and leadership.

Our ideal candidate is an advocate with a vision of energy and climate policy solutions that are community-centered and equitable. This candidate is passionate about justice and has demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively and create authentic partnerships with groups representing diverse communities. The ideal candidate will have a balance of community-based organizing principles, research and writing skills, and experience in the process of molding successful policy solutions. In addition, a foundational understanding of environmental justice issues, including lived experience, is crucial.

This position will report to CEWG’s Coalition Manager with additional support from the CEWG member hosting this position, Virginia Organizing.

Fellowship Program Dates: June 13, 2022- June 16, 2025

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Policy Development & Advocacy, including grassroots community engagement, research, and legislative relationship-building

• Support the organization’s existing programs and policies
• Educate and develop relationships with state partners and allies
• Collaborate with state coalition partners to advance successful campaigns
• Evaluate new and existing policies and issue areas associated with climate justice and energy equity that CEWG may want to consider pursuing
• Support state-level campaigns and regulatory actions to advance policy solutions
• Support in writing draft comments and testimony, policy memos, drafting public communications pieces, attending meetings or hearings, etc.
• Conduct research and policy analysis to support advocacy efforts
• Facilitate meetings with community, government, and business leaders to drive advocacy forward and identify just transition champions
• Support the development of toolkits, presentations, case studies, and other collateral to help allies and partners in advancing policy efforts
• Draft legislation in response to policy priorities elevated by CEWG and the communities it supports

Leadership & Professional Development

• Participate in all cohort meetings, retreats, site visits, as well as all leadership development and skills-based workshops
• Participate in training related to the Climate Equity Policy Fellowship program
• Provide input and feedback to ensure the Fellowship reflects needs through quarterly (first year) and annual (second year) meetings with the Equity Fund
• Learn unique leadership style, values, vision, and purpose through self-reflection exercises, goal-setting activities, and mentorship
• Bring lived experience, innovative ideas, and diversity of perspective to the working group and organizational conversations
• Provide support to working group members and engage in regular communications and collaboration to form solid working partnerships
• Learn key public policy advocacy tactics to support work plan objectives

REQUIREMENTS

• Cultural competence, commitment to equity, and proven ability to build diverse, equitable, and inclusive solutions, including policy priorities
• Demonstrated capacity for a solid policy or legal analysis, both written and verbal, as well as formal and informal mediums
• Capacity to work at home, somewhere in Virginia, with the ability to travel to Richmond and occasionally other places in Virginia for in-person meetings as is determined to be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description describes the general nature and level of work expected and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. The team member may be required to perform duties outside of their everyday responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The target starting salary for this position is $50,000 per year, depending on geographic location and experience. The CEWG member hosting this position, Virginia Organizing, offers a comprehensive employee benefits package, including full health, dental, vision, and childcare benefits, in addition to paid vacation, sick, parental, and family leave.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please email a resume and one-page cover letter to [email protected]. The final day to apply is May 13, 2022. CEWG seeks to fill the position by early June 2022.

HIRING STATEMENT

CEWG is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. CEWG and Virginia Organizing’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

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