What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior program director position at Oregon Environmental Council?

Who We Are :

We’re a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organization with deep roots dating back to 1968. Our work is grounded in fostering equitable, forward-thinking solutions to the environmental challenges facing us today – and tomorrow. We envision a future where every Oregonian enjoys equitable access to the healthy air, water, climate and community needed to thrive. To realize this vision, we’ve built a team of tireless champions to support policies and practices centered in environmental protection and justice. We’re in it for the long haul — but we’re not in it alone. We partner with coalitions and organizations across the state to actualize real change. Together, we’re charting a course toward a world where our environment is protected, communities flourish, and the planet is cherished for generations to come. Join us in our mission to safeguard Oregon’s natural legacy, and create a more sustainable future for all. We build teams, celebrate successes, launch impactful campaigns and have fun along the way.

Have you got what it takes to succeed The following information should be read carefully by all candidates.

Position Summary :

Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is seeking a Senior Climate Program Director to lead in developing, delivering, and implementing ambitious climate policies, programs and partnerships in Oregon. The Senior Climate Program Director sets the strategic direction for OEC’s climate work, which includes a cross-cutting portfolio focused on advancing the equitable, rapid decarbonization of buildings, transportation, electricity, and industry in Oregon and promoting community resilience. This includes policy research and development, extensive relationship building, advocacy, analyzing data, campaign management (that includes strategies such as coalition management, grassroots mobilization), and strategic communications. The Senior Climate Program Director will build and manage OEC’s climate team and work closely with diverse partners to provide expertise on policy advocacy, programs, and partnerships and guide campaign strategy. This position facilitates effective coordination with other OEC program staff around intersections between climate and transportation, public health, and water management issues. The Senior Climate Program Director also leads development of additional, innovative climate mitigation strategies and projects that suit the organization’s strengths and promote equitable outcomes.

Ideal Candidate :

The ideal candidate is motivated to accelerate an equitable clean energy transition. You are a strategic thinker, know how to leverage public policy, and a people-person who is excited about advocacy, supporting community resilience, and clean economic development. You are an adept and intuitive team leader who fosters a collaborative and growth-oriented team culture. You are a creative campaigner who understands coalitions and how to build bridges to get things done. You don’t shy away from technical conversations and you are ready to be creative about climate policy mitigation and adaptation strategies. You are a strong communicator who is excited to build the climate movement, activate new partners, be a spokesperson, serve on advisory bodies and positively influence statewide climate proposals. You understand how climate interacts with transportation, public health, housing, and economic opportunity. You are passionate about ensuring Oregon stays on track to achieve its climate goals and helping Oregon communities and local economies thrive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Develop and Manage Climate Initiatives; Advocacy and Implementation (~35%)

Develops programs, partnerships, policy proposals and other recommendations to advance program goals
Crafts and implements campaign strategy plans to achieve strong climate outcomes
Ensures strong implementation and defense of existing climate policies through regulatory advocacy and oversight, strategic communications and outreach, and (where needed) defense against legal challenges.
Formulates projects to advance program goals; develops and executes project implementation
Ensures that policies and projects are evaluated for equity implications
Investigates and analyzes issues germane to program; reviews relevant professional materials and communications on a continuing basis
Prepares and presents public comments and testimony; lobbies Oregon Legislature and other elected officials; coordinates with legislative director to inform advocacy strategy
Monitors and weighs in on administrative and regulatory processes that relate to program goals; serves on statewide advisory councils, including agency rule-making committees
Determines and communicates the organization’s position on external policy proposals that relate to our goals

Develop and Manage Climate Team (15%)

Develops job descriptions for new positions; leads hiring processes

Manages and empower team members; leads work planning; supports skill-building, professional development

Relationship Building (~25%)

Cultivates and maintains collaborative relationships with key interest groups and individuals, including policymakers, statewide officials and agency staff

Engages authentically with culturally specific and community-of-color led organizations, organizations representing rural interests, and other organizations that bring a social and environmental justice perspective

Fosters alliances; develops, manages, and participates in diverse and influential stakeholder coalitions and networks in support of program goals

Maintains and expands relationships with regional and national organizations

Outreach and Education (~15%)

Builds broad public support for program goals and project objectives

Produces reports, fact sheets, opinion pieces, toolkits, and other communication tools to advance program objectives, with support from our marketing and communications team

Engages in public speaking to diverse audiences

Represents OEC in the media, in collaboration with our Communications Director

Serves as an ambassador for OEC, building OEC’s public presence

Educates and engages OEC members and supporters through website communications, electronic and written communications, and personal interactions

Occasionally develops public education and “things you can do” campaigns

Fundraising and Organizational Health (~10%)

In collaboration with our development team, writes and reviews program-related grant proposals and progress reports

Occasionally participates in fundraising meetings and events with donors and foundations

Participates in organizational budget setting, staff meetings and retreats as a team leader for the OEC Climate Program

Actively supports co-workers

Qualifications :

Required Experience and Education

Minimum five years of professional experience in public policy development and / or advocacy in environmental protection

Experience promoting and / or working knowledge of climate science, mitigation, and resilience

Management experience, including mentoring and developing team members

Bachelor’s degree

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualities

Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, bring together diverse stakeholders, and secure policy and other programmatic goals

Expertise in climate and clean energy initiatives and policy

Keen problem-solving skills and ability to conduct long-term visioning and planning

Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects and deadlines while keeping a “big picture” strategic view

Outstanding written and oral communication skills; persuasive public speaking and presentation skills; ability to clearly translate complex policy issues and tailor messages to specific audiences

Demonstrated commitment to expanding cultural awareness and advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization and as part of programmatic work; a commitment to continued learning and working against institutional and structural racism

Skilled leader with demonstrated ability to mentor, evaluate and educate team members

Entrepreneurial approach; ethic of continuous improvement, self-motivation and initiative

Detail-oriented with high standards for accuracy

Ability to work independently

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; an eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment; flexible attitude

A passion for OEC’s mission and the environment

Energized to support Oregon Environmental Council’s Values and Beliefs and workplace culture as described in our Team Charter

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information

Ability to travel to Salem and occasionally statewide

Desirable Additional Qualifications

Existing relationships with Oregon decision-makers and stakeholders, including elected officials, businesses, state agencies, community leaders, and advocacy organizations

Experience working in a nonprofit setting with a mission-driven staff and board

Relevant advanced degree or equivalent work experience

Valid driver’s license (for statewide travel)

Other Details :

Travel : This position requires some travel around the state. OEC encourages travel by sustainable modes, e.g., walking, bicycling, taking transit, and carpooling.

Work Schedule : Our office hours are Monday through Friday 9 : 00AM-5 : 00PM, however this role requires the ability to be flexible about one’s schedule and work hours. This role may occasionally require excess hours in order to achieve deliverables.

Physical : This job operates in a professional open-floor office environment with a moderate level of noise associated with personal conversations and office machinery. The employee must be able to see, hear and talk and have the physical ability to move around, lift light objects, and use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.

ADA Accommodations : If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please email info@oeconline.org or call 503-222-1963 x100 for assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity : Oregon Environmental Council provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender assignment, gender identity or expression, national origin, (dis)ability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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