Are you passionate about stopping pollution and fighting for climate justice? Do you want to implement policy solutions to limit harm to communities most impacted by the oil and gas industry? If you’re eager to ensure that frontline community voices are represented in state and federal policy spaces, then this position may be right for you.

Earthworks Policy Advocate for Oil and Gas Waste will be responsible for implementing advocacy strategies to secure adoption and implementation of solid and liquid waste standards for the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and federally. While issue expertise on oil and gas waste is a plus, it isn’t required, and we’ll help you learn along the way - we encourage anyone passionate about justice-oriented policy advocacy to apply!

This work will focus on supporting frontline community allies, collaborating with external partners and coalitions, creating high impact strategies, managing advocacy efforts, engaging policymakers, and assisting with policy development, with an emphasis on improving outcomes for communities disproportionately harmed by oil and gas waste.

Reporting to Earthworks Senior Policy Counsel and working in close collaboration with Earthworks energy and communications teams, this person will join a small policy team and become an essential part of advancing Earthworks’ policy agenda.

Apply Online at our Career Page: https://www.careers-page.com/earthworks-2/job/L93V3RVY

Core Responsibilities:

• Working with Earthworks energy team, policy team and coalition partners across the country, help develop advocacy campaigns to secure strong legislative and regulatory outcomes in Earthworks to control oil and gas waste in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New Mexico, and federally.
• Work with Earthworks communications team, coalition partners, and frontline community members to develop and implement a communications strategy to engage the public, media, and decision makers on the problem of oil and gas waste.
• Oversee Earthworks waste policy strategy, including working with key state legislators to draft, evaluate and analyze legislation.
• Guide Earthworks regulatory advocacy efforts to move the EPA and state regulators towards policy outcomes that benefit communities most disproportionately harmed by oil and gas pollution.
• Develop and implement policy and campaign strategies for coalition partners on oil and gas waste
• Produce credible, well-written reports, fact sheets, talking points and other outreach and advocacy materials as needed.
• Evaluate and analyze legislation and regulations. Draft comments, letters, and testimony related to state and local regulatory and policy rulemakings and hearings.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with key waste-focused internal and external stakeholders including federal and state officials and staff, legislators, national, state and local NGOs.
• Represent Earthworks with the media where appropriate.

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of policy experience preferred
• Background on environmental policy or oil and gas issues a plus, but not required
• Desire to craft policy solutions that advance equity, targeting benefits to communities disproportionately impacted by harmful oil and gas pollution
• Track record working successfully on policy advocacy campaigns, including legislative and regulatory campaigns that advance justice and equity
• Experience working with elected officials, including an understanding of the legislative process
• Experience working with federal regulators and state agencies
• Ability to evaluate and analyze legislation and regulations
• Experience working collaboratively within diverse and inclusive coalitions aligned with the Principles of Environmental Justice
• Commitment to anti-racism and intersectionality, with a track record of developing and facilitating equitable policy solutions, as well as a commitment to equity, inclusion and justice as organizational practice and culture
• Excellent analytical, writing, and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to work with a team and independently
• Strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle multiple issues, projects, and deadlines

Benefits and salary:

This is a full time, permanent position. The salary for this position is competitive for small to medium non-profits, ranging from $68K to $71K per year depending on experience. Benefits include full life, health, long/short term disability, dental, and vision insurance coverage for the employee and their partner/family (plus a partially employer funded HSA) Employees also receive unlimited paid leave, and a retirement plan with an employer match, after one year. Additionally, after 7 years, staff are eligible for a 3 month, fully paid sabbatical.

Location, Travel & COVID-19

Location for this position is remote, but preference will be given to Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New Mexico or the Washington, DC metro area. Earthworks has flexible work from home policies. Some travel will be required when air travel and in-person meetings can safely resume as public health conditions permit. Earthworks’ COVID-19 policies prioritize the health and safety of our employees and the need to minimize the public health threat from COVID-19.

Earthworks requires all those hired to provide proof of full vaccination (vaccination and booster) against COVID-19. New hires who have disabilities that make the vaccine medically inadvisable or those who have a sincere religious belief that the vaccine is impermissible may request an accommodation by contacting Lezlie Griffin, Director of Talent and Equity, at lgriffin@earthworks.org. Accommodation will be provided only as required by applicable law.

About Earthworks:

Earthworks is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, with 43 employees across 19 states and DC. We work to protect communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of mining and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions. We support frontline communities, reform government policies, improve corporate practices, influence investment decisions, and encourage responsible materials sourcing and consumption. We seek to ensure that communities’ voices and concerns are heard in the corridors of power, from the nation’s capital to state houses and legislatures.

Earthworks is committed to challenging and dismantling systemic oppression. Earthworks’ Board and staff understand that promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) both within and beyond Earthworks is critical to carrying out our mission to protect communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of resource extraction. We understand that our commitment to DEI means a dedication to constant learning and improvement.

Earthworks welcomes applications from diverse candidates and is an equal-opportunity employer. Earthworks evaluates employees and applicants for employment on merit, competence, and qualifications and does not tolerate discrimination.

How to apply:

Apply Online; please include a cover letter, resume, and any links to blogs, Op-Eds, social media handles, websites, or other online presence that highlights your experience. No phone calls please.