NRDC has an immediate opening for an Energy Efficiency for All Advocate in our Midwest office in Chicago, working on the Energy Efficiency for All project.
Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) is a partnership of four organizations National Housing Trust, Energy Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council and Elevate Energy working to make multifamily housing healthier and more affordable through energy and water efficiency and access to clean energy. EEFA is building local, state and national networks of advocates to stage a 12-state campaign that secures $170 million in utility and other investments for affordable multifamily housing, including from the EPAs Clean Power Plan, while encouraging building owners to participate for their fair share of funding resources for low income and underserved communities.
The position reports jointly to NRDCs Urban Solutions program and Midwest Program.
Urban Solutions works to produce strong, just and resilient communities without contributing to climate change, by providing the support necessary for urban areas to find, fund and implement integrated, equitable and replicable policy and market strategies. Each Urban Solutions initiative builds strategic national and local partnerships, produces toolkits with vetted strategy options and supporting materials, structures learning networks with technical experts and peers, and provides on-site capacity with financial support.
The Midwest Program conducts place-based implementation of NRDC priorities throughout the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River states. The Midwest team is heavily involved in clean energy and clean water issues at the local, state and regional level, where key policies and concrete investments are being made daily.
Position Summary
The primary responsibility of this position is to help lead NRDCs EEFA work in four Midwest states: Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Missouri. The EEFA advocate will closely coordinate with our partners on the project, and our state partners. The goal of the EEFA work is to develop and secure funding for utility and other programs that will increase energy efficiency and improve public health in affordable housing communities. The EEFA advocate will also work toward implementation of other complementary clean energy solutions in the affordable multifamily housing sector in these states. This work will entail building relationships and coalitions with a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers and agencies, utilities, regulatory commissions, and local, state and federal issue-based groups (particularly those from low-income and underserved communities). The EEFA advocate will also support our objectives in utility and regulatory proceedings and other venues affecting affordable multifamily housing; and will integrate EEFA advocacy with our broader climate advocacy.
Additionally, this role will coordinate with NRDC Midwest staff to align and integrate other relevant work in the Midwest region, including in particular the Midwest Programs environmental justice engagement and other energy-related advocacy, which includes both opposition to dirty fuels projects and support for clean energy alternatives.
We are looking for a strategic thinker, preferably with affordable housing and/or energy expertise, who can develop political strategies and run campaigns. Candidates should preferably have experience building and working with coalitions and diverse stakeholders, and the ability to liaise with a diverse network of groups and engage key state and local decision-makers. The Advocate will also be a critical contributor to a diverse EEFA team spread across four organizations working on other aspects of EEFA. A successful candidate will benefit from a mindset that blends a collegial, collaborative team-centered approach, with a willingness to be entrepreneurial and driven in securing objectives.
NRDC has an immediate opening for an Energy Efficiency for All Advocate in our Midwest office in Chicago, working on the Energy Efficiency for All project.
Responsibilities:
In the Midwest, supporting EEFAs efforts to secure significant funding commitments from utilities and other sources to support energy efficiency retrofits in affordable multi-family buildings; supporting efforts to create effective financing mechanisms; and promoting broader adoption of benchmarking and audits and the increase of access to energy use data
Providing the necessary leadership and support to EEFA state coalitions in the Midwest to ensure they can successfully shape and achieve their objectives; coordinating strategies and tactics/best practices/lessons learned across all states.
Working with the Project Director and our EEFA project partners to set priorities, budgets and timelines and effectively deploy consultants and partners to meet project timelines and objectives.
Being part of a strong and collegial team that is both focused on meeting project expectations and using the full range of expertise at NRDC and among its partners to support effective change.
Briefing project leadership on a regular basis and ensuring that strategic decisions are addressed in a timely and collaborative manner.
Providing strong expertise and experience to inform strategy, campaign activities, and stakeholder engagement across the entire project.
Supporting the leadership teams fundraising efforts and preparing appropriate reports and briefing materials for existing funders.
Actively coordinating with the NRDC Midwest Program and other NRDC programs as appropriate to achieve shared objectives, and working to integrate EEFA as a central aspect of NRDCs clean energy agenda.
Traveling to the four target states, as well as other locations, approximately 20%.
Qualifications:
5+ years of experience, preferably involving project management, running advocacy campaigns, and engaging in energy and/or housing advocacy.
Prefer expert knowledge of utility advocacy and of the affordable housing sector (preferably multifamily).
Experience in community organizing or engaging multiple and diverse stakeholders.
Experience advocating on Federal or State legislative or utility regulatory matters.
Prefer advanced degree in public policy, business, science, engineering, law or a related subject.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Commitment to and knowledge of environmental and social equity issues, including advancing the interests of low-income, vulnerable populations.
Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and productively with a diverse team that spans multiple organizations and sectors.
NRDC is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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For further information about NRDC, please visit www.nrdc.org
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