State Climate Policy Manager, Washington

Climate Diplomacy and Security; Washington; On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working environment

Full benefits package

Job summary

Pacific Environment seeks a Washington State Climate Policy Manager to join our climate policy team and drive zero-emission shipping and port initiatives across the Pacific Northwest.

Based in Washington with remote work and occasional travel, the role requires strong advocacy, coalition-building, and legislative experience to advance climate goals and environmental justice for affected communities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-6 years of relevant work experience in policy advocacy or environmental and social change organizations.
• Demonstrated experience with Washington legislative and regulatory processes.
• Strong attention to detail and high-quality work product.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience building coalitions and partnerships across issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy advocacy in Washington and Oregon to promote clean shipping regulations.
• Advocate before the State Legislature, regulatory hearings, and stakeholder meetings.
• Lead engagement with leadership and staff at major ports.
• Build strategic partnerships with decision-makers and key partners, including environmental justice groups, tribal nations, labor, and ports.
• Represent Pacific Environment in media, coalitions, and policy forums.
• Track bills for Washington and Oregon activities.
• Conduct research to support policy development and draft position letters and policy papers.
• Coordinate the Seattle-Tacoma Clean Ports & Shipping Coalition and related campaigns.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Washington legislature

Coalitions

Communication

Organizational skills

Project management

Research

Maritime decarbonization

Stakeholder engagement

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Online research tools

Job description

Washington

Climate Campaign

Full-time

Remote

Pacific Environment works to protect communities and wildlife of the Pacific Rim. We support community leaders to fight climate change, protect the oceans, build just societies, and move away from fossil fuels toward a green economy.

Pacific Environment campaigns to eliminate fossil fuel use from the shipping industry within their climate division by building strong regulatory frameworks to achieve zero-emission shipping on a timeline commensurate with the climate emergency; pressuring corporate customers to demand zero-emission ships; and influencing ports on the Pacific West Coast and beyond to end fossil fuel build-out and ready themselves for zero-emission shipping instead. We focus on environmental justice, labor equity, and science-based timelines for climate action.

Position

Pacific Environment seeks a Washington State Climate Policy Manager to join our climate policy team and provide critical policy support for our Ports for People campaign on zero-emission shipping and ports. They will implement a multi-state advocacy campaign to advance climate goals, including achieving zero-emission shipping and zero-ready ports. This position is well-suited for someone who has a successful track record in policy advocacy and has experience in mobilizing public support to stop the climate crisis and protect vulnerable communities impacted by worsening climate. Legislative experience is strongly preferred. Campaigning and/or organizing experience a plus.

Location

This position is based in Seattle, Tacoma or Olympia, WA. While most work will be completed remotely, there will be occasional travel obligations for in-person meetings and events locally, regionally or further.

Responsibilities

• Policy advocacy lead in Washington and Oregon to support adoption of clean shipping regulations
• Advocate before the State Legislature, at regulatory hearings, and stakeholder meetings
• Lead engagement with leadership and staff at major ports
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with decision-makers and other key partners, including but not limited to, community and environmental justice groups, tribal nations, regulatory agencies, labor organizations, port and maritime associations, utilities and academic partners
• Represent Pacific Environment with the press, in coalitions with key allies, and in key policy forums
• Lead on bill tracking for Washington and Oregon
• Conduct research and analysis to support policy development
• Craft position letters, public testimony, fact sheets, and policy papers in support of Pacific Environment’s policy and legislative priorities
• Cultivate and lead the Seattle-Tacoma Clean Ports & Shipping Coalition
• Monitor maritime fuels, including hydrogen and LNG, in Washington and Oregon, identifying and flagging issues of concern and opportunities
• Develop and implement various campaigns and advocacy tactics such as grassroots organizing, traditional and digital outreach, engaging policymakers, and in-person mobilization tactics
• Project management and coordination, including logistics to execute campaign activities and events
• Other tasks as determined by the Climate Campaign Director, Ports

Key Qualifications

• Minimum 5-6 years of relevant work experience, particularly in policy advocacy or environmental and social change organizations
• Demonstrated professional experience with Washington legislative and regulatory landscapes and processes
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to problem-solve and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience working in coalitions and building organizational partnerships across issues and differences
• Experience working with communities most impacted by the climate crisis, particularly those affected by racial and economic injustice
• Experience working with labor is a plus
• Experience in maritime decarbonization, other heavy industry sectors, or energy is a plus
• Demonstrated critical and strategic thinking abilities with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and online research tools

Relevant experience for this position can take many forms, and we strongly encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds.

$80,000 - $90,000 a year

Compensation And Benefits

Pacific Environment provides compensation commensurate with experience and equitable with others on our team, plus a full benefits package for staff positions. The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000. Individual work experience and internal pay equity are heavily considered when presenting an offer. The employee will enjoy a flexible working environment with a dedicated, diverse group of colleagues.

Physical Requirements

The State Climate Policy Manager work involves sitting and looking at a computer for long stretches of time, communicating with co-workers electronically, and occasional in-person meetings or events. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Pacific Environment is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from communities harmed by environmental degradation and from backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply. We welcome diversity to do our best work and believe that creating teams in which everyone can be their authentic self is key to the change we seek.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Pacific Environment. Please inform our HR team by emailing [e-mail] if you need any assistance completing any forms or otherwise participate in the application or interview process.

Pacific Environment participates in the E-Verify Program: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees

To ensure fair consideration of all candidates, we ask that applicants do not contact Human Resources, Hiring Manager, or Program Staff directly. No phone calls, please.