U.S. Policy Associate Fellow

Important note: C2ES is recruiting to fill one position at either the Policy Analyst or Associate Fellow level. Separate job descriptions have been posted to reflect the distinct qualifications and responsibilities associated with each other. For companion posting for the Policy Analyst role, see this posting: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4574309

C2ES will fill one of these positions based on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. 

About the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES): Our mission is to secure a safe and stable climate by accelerating the transition to a thriving, just, and resilient low-carbon economy. We are widely recognized as an influential voice on climate issues, a trusted convener, and a credible source of expertise and analysis. We work closely with international climate negotiators; federal, state, and local policymakers; executives of Fortune 500 businesses; and a wide range of other stakeholders to advance strong policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. C2ES is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. 

Our organizational values: We are ambitious and practical, advancing effective solutions that push the boundaries of the achievable. We are open-minded and inclusive, seeking out and considering a wide range of voices, views, and approaches. We are people-focused, dedicated to improving human well-being and recognizing that respect and empathy are central to success. We are one team, working collaboratively, communicating openly, making ourselves accessible to each other, and treating one another with kindness and respect. 

C2ES seeks a highly qualified and committed individual to fill the position of U.S. Policy Associate Fellow to help advance our work on domestic climate, energy, and climate-aligned trade policies. This position provides an exciting opportunity to join a team committed to effective and ambitious climate action, and will involve assessing the federal policy landscape, contributing to the development of policy approaches that can help achieve our climate goals, and supporting growing stakeholder engagement efforts at C2ES.  

The U.S. Policy Associate Fellow will play a key role in supporting C2ES’s broad and growing portfolio of U.S. climate and energy policy and climate-aligned trade work by contributing to policy, conducting research and analysis with limited supervision, developing substantive written products, and representing C2ES externally as appropriate. The position will be part of a dynamic team with the U.S. Policy Fellow and the Climate-Aligned Trade Associate Fellow, and will report to the Director for U.S. Policy and Outreach. 

Major responsibilities: 

• Work closely with C2ES experts to support the development and advancement of high-impact climate, energy, and climate-aligned trade policies; 
• Conduct research and analysis on U.S. state and federal climate, energy, and climate-aligned trade policies, with limited day-to-day supervision and guidance from C2ES experts; 
• Develop substantive written products, including analyses, thought pieces, policy briefs, reports, and sole-author C2ES publications as appropriate, and contribute to other C2ES materials; 
• Support advocacy efforts to enact U.S. climate, energy, and climate-aligned trade policies; 
• Represent C2ES at relevant external meetings, briefings, and convenings as appropriate; 
• Monitor, track, and report on relevant U.S. climate, energy, and climate-aligned trade policy developments, including both administrative and legislative actions; 
• Help organize workshops, briefings and other events engaging policymakers, experts, companies and other stakeholders; 
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture, including by participating in regular events such as all-staff meetings and meetings of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council, and by seeking to model the organization's values. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., economics, environmental or energy policy, environmental studies, political science) plus 2 to 4 years of direct experience in climate and energy OR a Master’s degree in a related field;  
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research or policy assignments and produce high-quality written work with limited day-to-day supervision; 
• Top-notch writing, editing, research, and analytic skills; 
• Interdisciplinary understanding of climate change (science, economics, markets, technology, politics, etc.), including market-based approaches such as carbon taxes, cap and trade, and emissions performance standards; 
• Ability to sort through dense and complicated information quickly; 
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail; 
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills;  
• Strong interpersonal communication skills; 
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and contribute at all levels; and 
• Commitment to, knowledge of, or experience in advancing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental/climate justice. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Prior experience developing policy analysis or written products for public, stakeholder, or policymaker audiences; 
• Prior experience with U.S. climate and energy policies at the state and federal levels;  
• Demonstrated knowledge of international trade, monetary theory, and federal fiscal policy; 
• Demonstrated familiarity with climate-aligned trade policies and agreements (e.g., border carbon adjustments, green government procurement, subsidies, export promotion, etc.); 
• Prior experience with climate policy engagement, including working with coalitions, trade associations, or similar collaborative efforts involving diverse stakeholders; 
• Experience planning and coordinating stakeholder briefings, workshops, or convenings; 
• Experience synthesizing and communicating U.S. domestic policy developments for various audiences; 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize among and efficiently manage multiple assignments and meet critical deadlines; 
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, as needed. 

Reporting to: Director for U.S. Policy and Outreach 

Status: Full-time. Benefits eligible. Overtime exempt. 

Starting Salary Base: Starting salary range is $67,600 – $84,500, depending on experience and qualifications. 

Travel and Location: C2ES operates a hybrid work environment from our main office in downtown Washington, D.C. Preference will be given to applicants in (or willing to move to) the Washington, D.C. metro area. Physical presence required in the office at least 3 days per week.  

To Apply:  When submitting your application, please include an updated resume, cover letter, and a writing sample  

Benefits Offered: 

• Health Insurance. Health Insurance. C2ES offers 80% of premiums for a specific platinum-level health insurance reference plan, the dollar value of which may be applied to any platinum-level plan offered to us on the DC Health Link marketplace.  The remainder of the premiums for the plan chosen by the employee will be deducted pretax from the employee’s paycheck. 
• Dental Insurance. C2ES covers 100% of the dental premiums. 
• Vision Insurance: Employee covers the total cost of this plan. 
• Long Term Disability and Short-Term Disability. 
• DC Paid Family Leave (employes working in the DC office) 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA). 
• Group Life insurance and Voluntary Life insurance. 
• Leave Time: New employees start accumulating 3 weeks' vacation per year.  
• Sick time: up to 10 days per year. 
• Personal Leave: Up to Two personal days per year. 
• Parental Leave 
• Retirement Plan - C2ES contribution 5% towards 403B 
• FMLA Leave 
• Holidays: C2ES observes 13 holidays during the year. Additionally, the organization closes in the last week of year.
• Hybrid and flexible environment.

We will only be effective in developing and advocating for climate solutions if we have a diverse range of voices and perspectives represented within C2ES, in our work, and among our partners. C2ES is committed to creating and growing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and among the stakeholders we collaborate with and convene. By fostering this culture, we can enhance our work and amplify our impact. We encourage individuals of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, political viewpoints, genders, sexual identities, and abilities to apply for this position. For more on C2ES’s organizational values and commitment to inclusion, visit: https://www.c2es.org/about/our-organizational-values-inclusion/ 

C2ES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and employment. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please let us know by contacting [email protected]