Location: Washington, DC
The Climate Mayors network was founded in 2014 as a bipartisan, peer-to-peer U.S. network of mayors demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful equitable climate action in their cities and communities. Representing 48 states and 74 million Americans, the network of 468 Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. The Chair is Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, & Co-Chairs are Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.
Priorities:
In 2022, Climate Mayors will prioritize federal engagement with the Biden Administration and Congress, including supporting and guiding infrastructure investments, key climate and environmental justice policies, etc. The Climate Mayors’ will continue to host an annual summit, monthly webinars for staff and mayors, regular regional public dialogues with mayors, and frequent closed door mayoral meetings with White House and Biden Administration officials. Climate Mayors also get access to staff support and exclusive services, including the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative. The Climate Mayors advisory board and mayoral leadership are implementing a robust governance framework over the coming few months, and are now engaged in a strategic planning process to build the network and help lead the way for city climate action in the U.S.
History:
Starting in September 2014 with the Mayors of L.A., Houston, and Philadelphia, the Climate Mayors grew to 33 mayors who demonstrated their climate action to Chinese cities at the U.S. China Climate Leaders Summit in September 2015 helping get the Paris Agreement in place. In June 2017, 70 mayors—and then 250 within 48 hours and later to over 400–said they would adopt the Paris Agreement in their cities when President Trump pulled out. More recently hundreds called on Congress to invest in a green and equitable economic recovery.
Why is Climate Mayors Hiring a Policy Director?
The Climate Mayors seeks a Policy Director to support bolder equitable climate actions by Congress, Federal agencies and state and local government. The Policy Director will report to the Executive Director under the board of directors who play a fiduciary and governance role, the Climate Mayors leadership (i.e., Chair, Co-Chairs, and Steering Committee) will set the priorities for the organization.
What will the Policy Director do?
The Policy Director is expected to work with leadership to set policy priorities, work with the Biden Administration on identified priorities (e.g. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law implementation), organize policy briefings, draft policy communications, and collaborate with policy directors and intergovernmental affairs staff from partner organizations and federal agencies. The Policy Director will serve as a policy resource on a range of cross-cutting climate related issues including but not limited to: transportation electrification, building decarbonization, advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency and increasing community resilience.
Activities include:
- Helping set and implement the Climate Mayors strategic policy agenda and advocacy strategy, working with the Executive Director to facilitate board and member processes to determine priority issues
- Directing government affairs and advocacy activities
- Developing and maintaining relationships with members of Congress and federal agencies, Mayors and key state elected officials
- Monitoring relevant legislation and policy developments
- Researching, analyzing and engaging in legislation and regulatory proceedings
- Preparing and providing written and oral testimony supporting Climate Mayors’ priorities
- Maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of public policy and legislation related to Climate Mayors’ key issue areas
- Directing grassroots activities including building and participating in coalitions, developing and maintaining effective working relationships with state, local and/or federal elected officials and advocating on behalf of the agency’s interests and goals
- Translating policy developments into impacts on mayors and identifying advocacy actions to present and engage Climate Mayors members
- Conducting public policy presentations to members
- Drafting regulatory comment letters, policy position briefs, and policy statements
- Working with the Executive Director to develop and implement campaigns to activate Climate Mayors members including providing regionally specific policy support to member cohorts
- Assisting in the development of fundraising opportunities to support Climate Mayors policy work
- Developing and maintaining relationships with lobbyists, policy and intergovernmental affairs staff and Climate Mayors cities and partner organizations to further Climate Mayors’ advocacy goals
- Performing other duties as necessary
What Qualifications should the Policy Director have?
The Policy Director should have: at least 5 to 7 years’ experience running policy campaigns at the federal level; worked in and or closely with mayors and/or cities; an undergraduate and ideally masters degrees; excellent communications and writing skills; and a passion to help cities lead in accelerating equitable climate action; and is highly organized, pays attention to detail, & articulate and persuasive communicator
Position details:
This is a full-time position, starting immediately in Washington, DC. The salary is at $100,000-$150,000 based on experience, health benefits, vacation/sick time, and access to other benefits. Some travel. Please submit a cover letter and resume to Nicole Gelormini at info@climate-mayors.org.