Climate Solutions and Climate Solutions Action Fund seek a creative and experienced Climate Champions Program Director. This position will run a new program to cultivate and support elected leaders, helping them to become climate champions who will further accelerate climate progress in the Pacific Northwest and seed benefits beyond our region. The aim of this program is to foster strong climate champions at all levels of government by focusing on local and state-level races for office in Washington State. 

As a Northwest-based nonprofit, Climate Solutions' mission is to accelerate clean energy solutions to the climate crisis. Founded in 1998, Climate Solutions has a vision of a thriving, equitable Northwest, powered by clean energy, inspiring the transition to sustainable prosperity across the country and beyond. Climate Solutions advances local, regional, and state action on climate and clean energy through championing transformational policies and innovations; catalyzing powerful partnerships and a diverse movement for action and accountability; and communicating a bold vision for solutions at the scale required by climate science. For more information about Climate Solutions, visit www.climatesolutions.org. Climate Solutions Action Fund is our 501 (c4) partner organization.

The program director is charged with creating and implementing an education and training program for elected officials and candidates while fostering relationships with other organizations working in this space. This is a new position that provides an incredible opportunity for a strong leader to shape and implement a cutting-edge program at a time of immense opportunity in the region.

The successful candidate for this position will have a proven track record working in elections, government-based policy making, political campaigns, and/or advocacy communications. They should be comfortable and creative with how to maximize limited resources in a campaign environment. They should have demonstrated experience with developing and running trainings and in identifying and cultivating partnerships. The position requires a deep commitment to equitable and just climate and clean energy solutions to further the organization’s strategy mission of conducting concrete program and policy work and building diverse coalitions at the local, state, and regional levels.

This will be a hands-on director position with no initial staff supervision duties. The ideal candidate must think and plan strategically and deliver the day to day functions required to make a successful program. The program will start initially in Washington, and then expand to Oregon over time. 

The position is a full-time, exempt position located in either Washington or Oregon, and is supervised by the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Collaborate with Climate Solutions staff, partner organizations, government leaders and policy makers to develop and advance a strong climate change education strategy and program for policy makers that has buy in from other groups and government officials. 
• Develop strong, values-based messaging, narrative examples, and storytelling to win the hearts and minds of voters and the officials who represent them. Build easily understandable presentation and campaign resources for key elected officials and climate champion candidates.
• Organize education sessions for policy makers and candidates using a variety of formats including webinars, in-person sessions, and others.
• Build a cohort of climate champions that participate in the narrative and messaging resources of this program and support their colleagues and others running for office.
• Build and update a tracking tool of elected officials in Washington and Oregon.
• Incorporate Climate Solutions’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion commitments, Commitment to Leading our Work with a Racial Equity Lens, and Climate Solutions’ values into all aspects of the job.
• Meet staff reporting deadlines for program, development, and administrative tasks.
• Additional duties may be assigned within the course of the work.
• Willingness to work hours that include weekends and evenings for candidate trainings.

DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES: 

Skills and Knowledge: 

• Strong knowledge of the political geography of Washington State and Oregon.
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills. 
• Familiarity and fluency with a range of written and electronic communications tools, including social media and email communications.
• Ability to draft and present materials for a wide variety of audiences, including local elected officials, legislators, activists, labor and business leaders, and coalition partners.
• Expertise with the operations of state and local governments and elections.
• Basic knowledge of climate and clean energy policies at the national, state, and local levels. 
• Flexibility and desire to work with a team and independently.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple short‐ and long‐term projects simultaneously. 
• Collaborative and inclusive in approach to work and in relationships with colleagues. 
• Fluency with Microsoft Windows and Office Software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and specialized software applications in a network environment. 
• Strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Climate Solutions. 
• Ability to travel within Washington and Oregon and possibly to key national events. 

Experience:  

• Experience working with elected officials and candidates running for office. 
• History of working in coalitions and diverse communities.
• Demonstrated experience boiling down large complex issues into understandable and bite size pieces that the average person can understand.
• Involvement and expertise with political action programs, campaign finance laws, and both coordinated election and independent campaigning.
• Experience developing and running trainings or other presentations.

REMUNERATION 

This position is offered with a salary range of $78,000- $95,000. 

Climate Solutions cares about you as a whole person so we provide the following benefits to support your ability to be successful in the position and your health and well-being: 

• Insurance premiums fully paid for the employee: 
• Medical 
• Vision
  • Dental, including orthodontia 
• Disability and Life Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Account for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses 
• 30 days of Paid Time Off accrued annually 
• 14 annual flexible holidays 
• 401K starting after 3 months of employment with a 5% contribution by CS 
• Sabbatical after 6 continuous years of employment
• Flexible work policy 
• A work environment that recognizes your family and community responsibilities 
• A commitment to professional development, including both funds and time 
• Paid time dedicated to work on equity and inclusion with a racial equity lens 
• Annual performance reviews and ongoing feedback to support your development 
• A strong commitment to successful onboarding and retention 

TO APPLY

• Email your résumé in PDF format to employment@climatesolutions.org
• Please put Climate Champions Program Director and YOUR NAME as the subject line of the email and label the resume with your first and last name.
• In the body of the email, please let us know how you found out about the position.
• This position is open until filled. Please submit your resume for priority review by May 19, 2023. 

Climate Solutions recognizes that institutional racism, including systems and behaviors that maintain white power and privilege, exists within our organization, the broader climate and environmental movement, and throughout society. We also recognize that the impacts of the climate crisis, pollution from fossil fuels, and the costs of proposed solutions fall disproportionately on communities of color, low income, Tribal Nations, and frontline communities, both in our region and across the world. This is a barrier to a more equitable future and our ability to achieve our mission. 

 Climate Solutions has chosen to lead our work with a racial equity lens as a strategy to address all forms of oppression. Climate Solutions is committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.