Public Power Director

Who we are: Our team includes experienced utility researchers, software engineers, campaigners, and policy lobbyists. We have advised thousands of local leaders, built the largest national database tracking local climate leaders from Missouri to Pennsylvania, deployed solar projects in Texas, and passed key climate policies in the Virginia legislature.

Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes $380 billion for climate and energy programs, was a historic win for the climate movement. But reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience in communities won’t happen on wishes: it will happen on execution. Now, it’s up to state and local governments to implement new federal programs. And local leaders need more support. This is where you come in.

HelpMunicipal leaders navigate the clean energy transition

Public Power (Cities) Program Director Position Overview

Climate Cabinet Education is a “climate policy staffer, at scale” for state and local policymakers. As the Public Power Director, you will provide hands-on support and policy expertise to help mayors, councilors, and board members lead their municipal utilities (“munis”) in the clean energy transition while delivering concrete, equitable community benefits.

In this role, you will build and support a cohort of local leaders nationwide to connect them with policy ideas and resources to bring IRA funds to their communities, champion building electrification and efficiency, and help them navigate (and end) legacy fossil fuel contracts. You will help them build capacity for municipal and Public Power climate leadership — looping in experts and building partnerships as needed — to ensure that these high impact local leaders have the tools they need to grow the local economy, lower household bills, and clean up the air and water.

Location: Remote – anywhere in the US. Slight preference for heartland states, southeast, southwest, North Carolina, Minnesota, or public power residents. Some travel is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and coordinate a cohort of muni leaders seeking to lead in the clean energy transformation.
• Provide proactive, on-demand, 1:1 support to ensure municipal leaders maximize climate and community benefits of Inflation Reduction Act programs; and help them navigate the clean energy transition more generally. This could mean coordinating technical support for city IRPs, fielding and preparing questions for utility staff, and more.
• Convene technical experts as needed to help muni leaders achieve climate goals. Foster a community of advocates engaging in municipal utility advocacy, including members from aligned regional coalitions and national technical experts.
• Lead on developing policy resources and educational programming or events for muni leaders as needed.
• Analyze and track priority legislation and executive actions in cities and counties across the US.
• Work with our communications team to uplift local success stories.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years experience with state or local climate policy and navigating federal grants: in an advocacy, legislative, regulatory, or technical role. Ideally, experience working across multiple regions.
• Specific expertise in municipal policy and municipal utilities.
• Experience building partnerships and managing people.
• Demonstrated initiative, leadership, and project management skills.

Additional Qualifications:

• At least two of the following:
  • Experience with or in municipal government ○ Involvement in a clean energy project build
  • Ratepayer advocacy work ○ Union organizing experience or meaningful labor engagement work
  • Environmental justice campaigning or policy experience ○ Leadership in a community-based organization
• Strong writing and communications skills. Comfortable using qualitative and quantitative data sources.
• Excited about working in a small, mission-driven, fully remote work environment.

Compensation

• Medical, dental and vision insurance; premiums fully covered.
• Salary: $80,000-100,000 based on experience.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a 1-page resume to info@climatecabinet.org. Please use the subject line: “Job Application - Public Power Director.”

In the email body - or via cover letter - please answer the following questions:

• Tell us about a specific policy you have advanced. Please include details of power mapping, political dynamics, coalition work, community organizing, and/or any research that made a difference.
• What are 3 main barriers you would expect the mayor of a mid-sized city with a municipal electric utility to encounter when putting forth a new decarbonization roadmap? How would you address these barriers?
• What is the role of politics in driving forward local climate policy?

Climate Cabinet specializes in non-federal climate policy: the cities, states, and commissions that are key to implementing climate action in the US. Be part of a team with deep expertise and impact. You should apply!

We encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ folks, working class people, and members of other marginalized communities. Furthermore, if you don’t meet all of the exact job qualifications listed but feel called to the work — please apply. There are many ways to have developed the expertise necessary to excel in this position.