NCSL

NCSL’s mission is purposeful—strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures.

ABOUT NCSL

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful—strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission.

NCSL POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE:                           Program Director         

PROGRAM:                          Environment, Energy and Transportation

LOCATION:                          Denver, Colorado

SALARY:                               $7,082/month

ABOUT NCSL: 

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:   

NCSL’s Denver-based Environment, Energy and Transportation (EET) Program seeks a program director for energy with extensive experience in leading people and managing projects in a grant-funded environment. The skill set of this position involves demonstrated expertise in a range of energy policies, proficient management and supervisory skills, outstanding research and writing ability, fundraising and program development aptitude, and the capacity to staff NCSL’s legislative energy task forces and working groups.

NCSL’s EET Program is dynamic and enterprising, responsible for keeping state legislators and legislative staff apprised of state and federal policies in energy, environment, and transportation. In conjunction with significant management responsibilities, the energy program director will specialize in state and federal energy policy, requiring proven competence in legislative, statutory and regulatory research and analysis, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills. This includes providing analysis and expertise on a wide range of energy policies that span legislative and executive action across the country within a culture of innovation and excellence. NCSL and the EET Program offer opportunities for professional growth and development to enhance leadership skills, foster energy policy expertise and ensure nonpartisan delivery of research and analysis for state legislators, legislative staff and related constituencies. This position reports to the EET group director.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:  

• Manages, oversees and coordinates complex work across multiple projects, activities and funding streams while ensuring quality standards, contract specifications and deadlines are met.
• Oversees, coordinates and reviews the work of energy staff on legislative research or policy-focused projects, while demonstrating an understanding of political context and a high degree of responsiveness to constituents.
• Collaborates closely with the group director and other EET program directors to ensure the coordination of work activities.
• Leads ongoing funder communication related to projects, such as project updates, emails and conference calls. Completes project reporting as required by the funder. Develops or assists with developing project budgets, goals, work plans and priorities.
• Assists the group director with fundraising efforts, such as concept development, proposal writing, budget development, application submission, and funder negotiations.
• Collaborates with other NCSL programs and external partners to develop and implement innovative proposals and projects.
• Oversees or completes energy policy research and writing tasks, often involving careful interpretation of political nuances. Writes skillfully with minimal need for editing for a full range of publications. Reviews, edits and provides feedback on the substance and quality of writing assignments for other staff.
• Manages or coordinates planning of educational meetings and technical assistance efforts for legislators, generally requiring astute political judgments, a high degree of responsiveness to constituents and an understanding of NCSL’s priorities and concerns.
• Develops and implements communication strategies for disseminating and raising the visibility of NCSL’s educational products and services.
• Maintains subject matter expertise and an extensive network of relationships with federal agencies, funders, private-sector partners, academia, interest groups and other key organizations.
• Travels domestically for meetings, technical assistance and other project activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities and duties as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position currently has direct supervisory responsibilities for three staff members.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:   

This position is a mostly performed in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The selected applicant will be required to utilize standard office equipment such as copy machines, laptops, printers, scanners, and smartphones. Travel by airplane including overnights and weekends is required, up to 10 times per year. Due to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, no travel is anticipated until October 2021. This date is subject to change.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:  

• Bachelor's degree plus nine years of relevant and progressive work experience or postbaccalaureate / graduate degree and eight years of experience. The following work experience or some equivalent combination is preferred: at least four years of state policy or legislative experience, two years of professional policy experience in the assigned subject area, two years of project or research supervisory experience, and one year of management experience directing and allocating personnel and budgets in multiple projects or activities. Post-baccalaureate education is preferred.
• Substantial knowledge of a wide range of energy topics, including alternative fuels and electric vehicles, fossil fuels, energy resiliency, cyber security, nuclear generation and waste management, renewable energy and energy efficiency, grid modernization, among other emerging energy policy developments.
• Excellence in team leadership, staff supervision and development (i.e., delegating, supervising, evaluating work and coaching).
• Knowledge of state lawmaking processes and government structures.
• Excellence in project management, including organizing project work; managing deadlines; and assigning, overseeing and/or completing project tasks.
• Strong organizational skills, efficient, flexible and a team player with a positive attitude.
• Excellence in developing and executing educational/informational products and services for adult learners (i.e., legislators, legislative staff and others).
• Excellence in fundraising, primarily through philanthropic organizations, foundations and federal agency cooperative agreements and contracts.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Ability to clearly and credibly present information to NCSL members, funders and other audiences.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner with legislators and legislative staff and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Skill and competence in working cooperatively and professionally with a variety of people.
• Ability to collaboratively envision, plan, facilitate, staff and develop agendas for energy program task forces and working groups.
• Ability to travel by air up to 10 times per year, with most trips being 1 to 3 nights.

BENEFITS:  

NCSL offers an outstanding benefits package including low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% employer contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, paid vacation and sick time, paid family leave, telework, pet insurance, discounted bus / train passes, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates. 

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume highlighting skills and qualifications no later than June 8, 2021 by 5pm MDT.

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

Denver

06/08/2021

$7082