Climate Campaign Associate  

The Southern Environmental Law Center is hiring a new Climate Campaign Associate in either our Birmingham, AL. or Charleston, SC. offices, although other SELC offices can be considered. SELC’s strategic plan has three core pillars: Climate Change reversal, Environmental Justice and producing national solutions from our work protecting the South. This individual will join our Climate Initiative, reporting to our Climate Initiative Leader. At its core, the focus of this position will be defining and driving forward climate policy campaigns and advancing climate policies in target States. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation. 

SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week.  This is a full-time, exempt, three-year term position. All employees must reside in our region. SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position.    

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Create state opportunity landscape assessments to advance climate policies in target states, mapping existing and potential partner organization capacity and related priorities, key stakeholders and decision makers, potential new partners, leverage points, resonant messaging, target audience strategies, and more.    
• Develop one to two potential climate campaign concepts with recommended strategy and tactics in the target states. Each concept will be developed in partnership with state teams to determine whether and how to move forward.   
• Provide project management support for target campaigns. In some instances, participate in and directly manage the resulting advocacy.  In others, coordinate with the state program advocates and coalition partners primarily handling that advocacy.  
• Explore opportunities for additional research on climate-related topics to support campaign goals and elevate issue visibility and SELC thought leadership, working with program teams and Communications.    
• Advise program staff in state offices on climate priorities and opportunities.   
• Participate as a thought partner with program staff in developing advocacy strategies. Possible areas of policy work include decarbonization of TVA, implementation of federal climate funding and incentives, defense against regional gas growth, state and local resilience policies, and clean transportation.   
• Identify new partnerships and build and participate in coalition efforts to support climate goals.  
• Build and cultivate strong relationships with key decision-makers including public officials and staff, partners and other external stakeholders. Coordinate externally with partner organizations and allies to advance climate campaign objectives.  Attend and represent SELC in meetings among partner groups as appropriate.    
• When appropriate, chronicle and analyze campaign activities to capture and share lessons learned for the benefit of future strategic campaigns.  
• Support SELC’s collegial, collaborative, inclusive approach in advancing climate solutions.   

Required Qualifications:  

• 5+ years of relevant work experience with at least some issue or political campaign work.  
• Strong commitment to addressing the causes and consequences of climate change and advancing clean, sustainable energy resources in the South.  
• Familiarity with the Inflation Reduction Act and other major federal climate programs.  
• Ability to think strategically and manage concurrent fast-paced projects.   
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse clients and partners, legislators, regulators and business leaders.  
• Strong independent initiative and the ability to contribute effectively and collaborate as a team member.  
• Oral advocacy experience and comfort speaking in varied settings.  
• A strong personal commitment to SELC’s mission.  
• Strong commitment to equity-centered policy work.  
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.  

Desired Qualifications:  

• Significant issue or political campaign experience.  
• Prior experience working in one of SELC’s six states.  
• Media, brand management, or crisis communications experience.  

About SELC:  

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. 

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.  

Compensation & Benefits:  

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $70,000- $90,000 commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page. 

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.   

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address. 

To Apply:  

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, a writing or work sample (an advocacy-oriented sample is preferred, however any sample that well-represents your writing/work is sufficient), and three references. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is Wednesday 5/15/24. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please state SELC office preferences in your cover letter, if not Birmingham, AL. or Charleston, SC.  

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.