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Energy and Environmental Justice Advocate


The NW Energy Coalition seeks an engaging and innovative energy and environmental justice advocate in Oregon with a deep commitment to equitable and just clean energy solutions. This person will help to further the Coalition’s mission through collaborative work with community-based and environmental justice organizations, tribal nations, and other entities representing the needs of environmental justice communities. 

 

Background 

The NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of over 100 environmental, civic, and human service organizations, progressive utilities and clean energy businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Our mission is to advance clean, equitable, and affordable energy policies by leveraging our analytic expertise and convening a broad alliance of people and organizations. We envision Northwest communities that benefit from a carbon-free energy system that equitably meets the needs of people and preserves the region’s natural resources. We promote the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, consumer protection, equitable and affordable clean energy services for all consumers, and fish and wildlife restoration on the Columbia and Snake rivers. 

Energy policy is critical to the Northwest’s economic and environmental health. The Coalition ensures that utilities, state governments, and the region pursue clean and affordable energy strategies to meet energy needs and reduce climate pollution. In addition, the Coalition is committed to addressing the inequitable impacts of the existing and future energy system and the need for more inclusive decision-making as part of ensuring that the benefits of a clean energy economy accrue to all in our communities. 

Position description 

  • Analyze, develop and advance durable and effective clean energy policies and programs that ensure affordable and equitable energy services for all customers and that solutions support community needs.  
  • Serve as a bridge-builder between the utility and regulatory sectors and community-based and environmental justice organizations, tribal nations, and other entities representing the needs of environmental justice communities.  
  • Work with those representing environmental justice communities who are involved, interested in, or impacted by energy policy, in an effort to understand their perspectives, needs and strengths, and then inform and strengthen the Coalition’s policy and regulatory efforts to support community-led solutions. 
  • Leverage relationships with regulators, legislators, utility staff and executives, to improve literacy, metrics, processes and programs that advance equity in the regulatory and utility space. 
  • Advocate for strong utility programs, supportive state and local policies, and regulatory drivers that support investment in clean energy solutions. 
  • Work closely with the Coalition’s members and non-member organizations to support centering the voices of communities experiencing low-incomes and Black, brown and indigenous communities in energy policy decisions.  
  • Participate, in partnership with all staff, in furthering the Coalition’s justice, equity, diversity and inclusion commitment statement, which increases the Coalition’s focus equity and anti-racism in our work, both internally and in our programmatic and policy work. 
  • Participate on utility and government advisory committees as appropriate. 
  • Work with outreach and communication staff in mobilizing Coalition member organizations and community activists for public hearings and related public involvement. 

This position will report to the Policy Director and is located in Oregon with some multi-state work as well. 

Qualifications 

  • Lived or professional experience working with low-income and other environmental justice communities and their advocates 
  • Knowledge of energy, environmental justice and climate issues 
  • At least two years of experience in public policy or equivalent life experience 
  • Excellent public speaking skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences 
  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks 
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment 
  • Ability to recognize, name and take steps to mitigate and address power dynamics that reinforce privilege and oppression in the energy sector 
  • Ability to travel throughout the state of Oregon, and occasionally, throughout the Northwest 

 

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