Legislative Manager, Sustainable Energy & Environment

Department: Policy & Advocacy

Job type: Hybrid

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: 4

Reports to: Legislative Director of Domestic Policy

Direct report: Program Assistant for Sustainable Energy & Environment

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a nonpartisan Quaker lobby, is seeking a Legislative Manager to lead FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment program and advance the organization’s vision to “seek an earth restored.”

This program focuses on the key issues related to climate change, including securing federal investments in international climate finance, pricing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring environmental justice for marginalized communities, while working to build and strengthen a broad, nonpartisan consensus around addressing climate change. The Legislative Manager for Sustainable Energy and Environment sits in the Domestic Policy Team, reports to the Legislative Director for Domestic Policy, and manages one junior-level Program Assistant Fellow.

The Organization

Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL fields an expert team of lobbyists on Capitol Hill and a grassroots network of tens of thousands of people across the country to advance federal policies towards a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

FCNL lobbies from a basis of spiritual and ethical purpose to build extensive connections with congressional offices and conduct focused legislative campaigns on the following current priorities: peacebuilding, human rights, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, curtailing endless war, cutting Pentagon spending, justice reform, migration justice, gun violence prevention, environmental protection and solutions to climate change, economic justice, and Native American issues. FCNL and Friends approach each of these priorities by identifying, exposing, and working to eliminate institutional racism, sexism, and militarism in order to promote genuine equality of opportunity and communities in which everyone can safely live, learn, work, worship and love.

Headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, FCNL employs a staff of about 65, including 20 registered lobbyists.

Priorities and Responsibilities:

Advocacy, Policy, and Research

  • Lead and manage FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment lobbying program.
  • Manage the work and professional development of the Program Assistant for the Sustainable Energy & Environment program. The Program Assistants serve in an eleven-month, entry-level position. Supervise volunteers, interns, and others, as needed.
  • Monitor legislative and policy developments on sustainable energy and environmental issues. Assist in tracking and maintaining accurate and up to date information on congressional votes, positions, and policy proposals. Review, analyze, and report out content of government documents, committee reports, legislation, other organizational materials, and relevant articles on specific policy or legislation.
  • Develop and implement focused legislative change strategies in consultation and collaboration with other appropriate staff. Clearly articulate change strategies and political realities for FCNL staff, committees, and the policy community.
  • Work cooperatively with FCNL’s Policy and Advocacy Department, as well as other teams, to design and implement advocacy tools to help FCNL constituents educate themselves on climate and intersecting issues and to take timely action, such as newsletters, blog posts, and network webinars. Cooperative activities might include communicating with constituents, grassroots training, and supporting constituent lobbying.
  • Advocate for FCNL's positions on sustainable energy and the environment, in a manner consistent with FCNL’s Statement of Legislative Policy. Lobby and liaise with key offices on Capitol Hill and Executive Branch officials to build meaningful relationships and advance public policy.
  • Represent FCNL at gatherings and events as needed. Occasionally design and lead events at FCNL’s Quaker Welcome Center to further nonpartisan dialogue and action on climate change and educate FCNL’s network. Support FCNL Annual Meeting, Quaker Public Policy Institute, Spring Lobby Weekend, and Friends Place Advocacy Institute as needed.
  • Collaborate with coalition partners related to sustainable energy and the environment, including the Washington Interreligious Staff Community’s Energy and Ecology Working Group, on strategy meetings, sign-on letters, lobby visits, advocacy resources, and other activities. Develop new partnerships as needed.
  • Work with the FCNL grant writer to seek funding to support legislative activities. Fulfill terms of grant contracts in good order.
  • Contribute advocacy and congressional insight to strengthen the campaigns and work of colleagues on the Domestic Team and the Policy and Advocacy Department.

Communication and Writing

  • In collaboration with the Communications Department, prepare material for FCNL constituents and the general public to be distributed in a range of media, including action alerts, the FCNL web page, newsletters, blogs, op-ed columns, letters to the editor, and other educational materials for general distribution.
  • Prepare letters, fact sheets, background papers, reports, talking points, sign-on letters, vote recommendations, and other written materials as needed to support lobbying strategies with Congress and appropriate government officials.

Experience and Attributes:

  • An appreciation of the vision that FCNL promotes in Congress and with administrative agencies, an ability to help lead FCNL’s integrated legislative program, and general agreement with the FCNL statement of legislative policy.
  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in developing and implementing public policy and/or legislative advocacy or lobbying, with numerous bipartisan contacts on Capitol Hill. Willingness to work on a nonpartisan approach to solutions.
  • Notable knowledge of and familiarity with U.S. and international climate policies and abiding passion for the stewardship of the earth.
  • Demonstrated ability to be nimble, self-reliant, and thrive in fast-paced policy environment.
  • A quick study on issues and a creative approach to problems.
  • A consultative and collegial manner, with skills in facilitating group processes and cooperative work with colleagues inside and outside of FCNL.
  • Well-organized, detail-oriented, and proven time management and project management skills.
  • Excellent research, writing, editing, communication, and public speaking skills.
  • Successful supervisory experience.
  • Familiarity with Friends organizations, concerns and practices, and ability and willingness to work with Friends’ committee process.
  • Commitment to involving, promoting, and respecting participants from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

This description outlines the general nature of the duties that a person in this position would perform. It is expected that the employee will perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Compensation

  • Salary range is $65,000 - $80,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
  • This is a full-time exempt position, based on a 37.5-hour work week, with occasional travel. Some compensatory time will balance evening/weekend work and travel. This position is located in Washington, D.C. and is expected to be in the office 2 days a week. The employee will work with the supervisor to determine the in-office time and available telework time.
  • We offer a highly competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, flexible spending account, dependent care account, short-term & long-term disability; monthly cellphone/internet stipend, employer paid life insurance; 12+ paid holidays; vacation; sick leave; personal days; volunteer time off, wellness initiatives; educational support; healthcare stipend; maternity/paternity leave; employee assistance programs, generous employer contributions to the retirement plan, and employer-paid benefits with Capital Bikeshare and WMATA

Due to the current pandemic, the Friends Committee on National Legislation requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before being hired. Candidates should be prepared to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon hire or discuss accommodations in line with COVID-19 safety protocols.

FCNL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.