Policy Associate (or Senior Policy Associate

Position Description

The Policy Associate will support the development and execution of the organization’s policy priorities through policy development, research and writing, project management, stakeholder engagement, and coordination. The position combines substantive policy work with responsibility for moving policy initiatives from strategy through implementation, including coordinating partners and internal contributors, managing workplans and timelines, and tracking program and grant deliverables across a cross-cutting portfolio of progressive policy priorities.

The position will focus on advancing equitable climate and clean energy policy priorities, including helping communities understand and leverage public funding, financing tools, tax credits, and governmental authorities at the federal, state, and local levels. Relevant policy areas include climate policy, climate and energy infrastructure, public budgeting and finance, tax policy, economic opportunity, housing, and community investment. The position will support the Livable Futures team’s priorities by coordinating policy initiatives, conducting research, developing written materials, engaging coalition partners and other stakeholders, managing project plans and deliverables, and translating policy goals into concrete plans and activities.

The position will also contribute to additional program areas and organizational priorities, as needed.

This position may be filled at the Policy Associate or Senior Policy Associate level based on the candidate’s experience, scope of responsibility, and organizational needs. Candidates hired at the Senior Policy Associate level will bring deeper experience and take greater ownership of complex policy initiatives, external partnerships, and cross-organizational projects.

In collaboration with program staff and organizational leadership, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Policy Research and Resource Development

• Conduct policy research and develop timely, accessible public education materials, including explainers, reports, fact sheets, and other resources, on topics such as:
• • federal climate and energy legislation, executive actions, and implementation, including their effectiveness and implications for communities and racial and socioeconomic equity;
  • public funding, financing, and implementation strategies that advance equitable climate and community development goals, including grants, appropriations, bonding authorities, tax and revenue policy, public-private partnerships, community benefit frameworks, and other governmental tools; and
  • innovative policy and implementation strategies that advance a just transition and center frontline communities and workers in climate, energy, infrastructure, and housing policy.
• Develop resources and engagement strategies that help frontline communities understand and influence federal climate policy and its implementation.

A Senior Policy Associate will also:

• lead assigned policy initiatives and research projects with a high degree of independence and provide strategic recommendations to program leadership; and
• identify emerging policy developments, implementation challenges, opportunities, and potential risks and recommend possible responses for consideration by program leadership.

Policy Initiative Coordination and Project Management

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of multiple program initiatives, ensuring projects remain organized, on schedule, and aligned with program priorities.
• Support program leadership by tracking workplans and deliverables, coordinating internal workflows, preparing meeting materials, and ensuring timely follow-up on decisions and action items.
• Coordinate internal workflows and work with staff and external partners to advance shared projects and maintain alignment on responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Support annual team goal-setting and work-planning processes, including documenting priorities, developing project plans, and tracking progress across initiatives.
• Identify emerging opportunities, programmatic gaps, and potential areas for action and share recommendations with the Livable Futures team.
• Contribute to funder proposals and reports, track grant deliverables, and participate in funder engagement.
• A Senior Policy Associate will also lead assigned program work streams or initiatives from planning through completion, including coordinating contributors, managing timelines and deliverables, identifying challenges, and recommending adjustments.

Partnerships and Coalition Engagement

• Support and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal government officials and policymakers, and with nonprofit, labor, philanthropic, community, financial-sector, and coalition partners to advance shared policy initiatives and program goals.
• Support external partnerships by coordinating and facilitating meetings, maintaining regular communication, documenting next steps, and ensuring timely follow-through on…