Energy Policy Associate

Conservation Voters of South Carolina is the political voice of South Carolina’s environmental community.  CVSC is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that, along with its sister organization the CVSC PAC, passes laws that protect our environment, elects pro-conservation candidates, and holds elected officials accountable. The CVSC Education Fund also works to educate and engage South Carolinians “to protect the South Carolina we love.” We effectively fight for our air, land, and water through bipartisan and pragmatic political action.

Scope of Position: CVSC seeks a highly motivated person to join us as an Energy Policy Associate. This full-time position will support CVSC’s policy and regulatory advocacy campaigns for clean and equitable energy policy at the state and federal levels, helping transition South Carolina to 100% clean energy. The right candidate will have excellent attention to detail, written and oral communication skills, experience in advocacy or policy and a strong belief in and passion for the mission of CVSC.  The position reports to the Director of Energy Policy and will support various efforts of the Energy Team.

Location: The position must be based in South Carolina (non-negotiable), but may be performed remotely from within the state. CVSC has a physical office in Columbia and co-work space in Charleston. Occasional day and overnight travel will be required.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and Manage Advocacy Tactics and Materials (35%) – the associate will assist the Energy Team in developing and managing advocacy tactics and materials including mailers, advertisements, phone campaigns, online actions, petitions, earned media, website and social media content, one pagers, briefing memos, and other items as needed to achieve CVSC’s clean energy goals.
• Energy Policy Tracking (15%) – The associate will build subject matter expertise by tracking and monitoring energy policy developments in certain subject matter areas and venues like the Legislature and the SC Public Service Commission. This will include tracking news and updates in SC, but may also include tracking progress on clean energy issues in other states or federal funding opportunities.
• Energy Policy Research, Analysis, and Development (15%) –  the associate will perform research and analysis on specific energy policy topics to support the work of the energy team. This will require the associate to absorb new information quickly, effectively communicate this knowledge in verbal and written form, and understand how it applies to CVSC’s energy policy priorities. This includes researching legislation and policies from other states, analyzing the impact of legislation, and assisting in legislative drafting.
• Coalition and Stakeholder Process Involvement (25%) – the associate will represent CVSC in various coalition stakeholder processes. This requires participation in coalition and stakeholder meetings, coordination and collaboration with coalition members and stakeholders, and identifying opportunities for advocacy and accountability. This may include presentations on energy topics, event planning and coordination, and organizing of stakeholders or coalition members as necessary
• Other Duties to Support the Organization (10%) – as assigned, the associate will participate in CVSC events and other efforts to support the organization. This includes participating in CVSC events like the CVSC Green Tie Luncheon, Legislative Kickoff, Conservation Coalition Lobby Day as well as supporting engagement and development efforts and campaigns.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to conservation, environmental protection, and the advancement of clean energy.
• Experience or knowledge in either political advocacy, communication of complex issues, or energy policy.
• Strong attention to detail, fast and willing learner, strong organizational skills, ability to follow up and meet deadlines, and ability to work independently, yet to ask pertinent questions.
• Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. Shares our commitment to increasing racial justice and equity in our movement and organization, integrating these principles into all of the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
• A deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of experience with the tools and tactics of political advocacy including online actions to lawmakers or other decision makers, petitions, direct mail, digital ads, phone and SMS campaigns.
• One year of experience producing concise written communications on complex issues, including researching complex policy issues, analyzing and developing policy including, legislation, regulations, and municipal policies.
• Knowledge and understanding of clean energy issues and the types of policies used to advance clean energy at the state level in both the legislative and regulatory arena as well as an understanding of energy issues facing low and middle income households and environmental justice communities.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity software and equipment such as Microsoft Office programs, copiers, scanners, email programs, etc.
• Proficiency with, or ability to quickly learn, online membership and email platform operations.

Work environment: CVSC is a mission-driven organization whose staff are deeply passionate about advancing environmental policy in a just and equitable way. We are seeking another effective, productive, enjoyable, and highly ethical member of the team who will take responsibility and leadership for implementing assigned tasks.

Terms of employment: The position is full-time, contingent on continued funding (grants and individual donations). This includes a 40-hour workweek with the need for flexible scheduling, depending on the nature of an issue or timeframe. Occasional out of town travel will be required.

CVSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Salary/Benefits: CVSC offers a competitive non-profit sector salary for this position in the $52,000 to $55,000 range, depending on qualifications.

We provide a high-quality health insurance plan paid at 100% for employees and 60% for families and dependents. We also provide options to upgrade to multiple “enhanced” health insurance plans for both employees and dependents for those desiring lower deductibles. CVSC also provides a Flex Spending Account as well as short-term disability, dental, and vision coverage at no cost to employees.

Our benefits package also includes a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% match, a monthly cell phone stipend, a technology/office setup stipend, and an annual professional development budget for each employee. Our benefits plan also includes 14 holidays, 17 days of PTO (increasing with tenure), 8 weeks of paid parental leave, and a sabbatical program after 4 and 8 years of service.

Please note that as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, CVSC employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter that addresses how your expertise matches the job description and why you want to work to protect the air, land, and water of South Carolina through CVSC’s hiring system at cvsc.org/career. An application is not considered complete and will not be considered unless both a cover letter and resume are provided. The position will remain open until filled.