Lead Lobbyist, Sustainable Energy & Environment

Lead Lobbyist, Sustainable Energy & Environment 

FLSA Classification: Exempt  

Salary Grade:  D, E or F

Job Location: Hybrid, within commuting distance to D.C.  

Reports to: Legislative Director, Domestic Policy 

Direct Reports: Program Assistant  

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a nonpartisan Quaker lobby, is seeking a Lead Lobbyist for FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment program to advance the organization’s vision of an earth restored. The Lead Lobbyist for Sustainable Energy and Environment sits within the Domestic Policy Team, reports to the Legislative Director for Domestic Policy, and manages one entry-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 across the country to advance policies and priorities established by our governing General Committee of nearly 200 Quakers and like-minded friends.  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, 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 to promote genuine equality of opportunity and communities in which everyone can safely live and thrive.  Headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, FCNL employs a staff of about X, including 15 registered lobbyists. 

Essential Job Duties (other duties may be assigned) 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Supervise and Lead FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Program: Lead as FCNL’s staff expert on climate, environment, and energy issues. Monitor, review, and analyze legislative and policy developments, policy proposals, and congressional positions and votes. Prepare and disseminate factsheets, background papers, and other educational materials; brief FCNL colleagues, congressional staff, government officials, and FCNL grassroots constituents. Publish a monthly legislative update and hold webinars for FCNL constituents across the country. 
• Represent FCNL to Congress and the Executive branch: Build and maintain relationships with relevant congressional and executive branch staff of all parties and political leanings. Effectively advocate for FCNL’s climate and environment policy positions consistent with FCNL’s Statement of Legislative Policy and legislative priorities. Demonstrate congressional knowledge and political acumen.  
• Develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy: Develop and implement a legislative, communications/media, and grassroots strategy in concert with FCNL staff for advancing climate and environmental policy in Congress. Assess progress toward legislative goals and adjust approach to reflect lessons learned. Carry out strategy tools, such as backgrounders, letters, statements, testimonies to members of Congress, sign-on letters for relevant coalitions, Hill lobbying, legislative action messages to grassroots, and sample email texts and phone scripts for use by local advocates.  
• Work in coalition with our colleague organizations: FCNL is a leading voice and works in close partnership with the interfaith advocacy community, and this role may chair coalitions. Honor FCNL’s collaborative work with organizations led by impacted communities. Design and lead events and represent FCNL at gatherings and events as needed. 
• Represent FCNL’s climate positions externally: Serve as FCNL’s spokesperson for related sustainable energy and environment. Support the currentness and accuracy of FCNL issue-related webpages. Engage with journalists and other media influencers; research and draft op-ed columns, letters to the editor, and reports; and work in coordination with other designated staff and constituents to publish the same as appropriate.?  
• Engagement with Quaker Network: Consult with the Senior Director for Quaker Leadership on building and strengthening relationships with Quaker institutions, bodies, and networks. This may include occasional travel. 

Supervisory responsibilities 

• Supervise a Program Assistant and potential interns.  

Minimum Required Job Qualifications 

Education 

• At least three years of work experience with congressional legislative processes and procedures, politics, and public policy, including climate and environmental familiarity.  

Skills and Experience 

• Proven strong understanding of political dynamics and legislative strategy.
• Established relationships with climate organizations and congressional offices. 
• Strong outreach, networking, and partnership-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with congressional offices, organizational partners, and individuals from across the political spectrum.
• Comfortable externally promoting and working in an office environment that reflects the Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, and truth and working within the Quaker, nonpartisan process of FCNL.
• Commitment to engaging, promoting, and respecting individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives and to upholding FCNLS’s AJEDI values.
• Consultative and collegial manner in cooperative work with internal and external colleagues.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Excellent research and writing skills, with a commitment to accuracy.
• Comfortable public speaking and leading presentations.
• Ability and willingness to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, nimbly adapt to changing agendas, and timely manage priorities, projects, and workflow. 
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, thorough, and responsive.

Preferred Job Qualifications 

Education  

• Undergraduate or graduate degree and more than three years of experience with congressional legislative processes and procedures, politics, and public policy, including climate and environmental familiarity. 

Skills and Experience 

• Experience as a legislative staffer 
• Familiarity working with faith constituencies, particularly Quakers 
• Ability to connect with constituents and bring their stories to the Hill  
• Familiarity with software such as Quorum 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion 

Physical Demands & Work Environment 

• Frequently required to sit or stand for long periods of time 
• This job requires occasional travel, including overnight travel within the United States up to 5% of the time 

Compensation & Work Expectations 

• This position may be filled at the level of Representative or Manager depending on the level of experience and demonstrated skills of the candidate, with a starting salary ranging from $61,500 at the Representative level to a maximum of $75,000 at the Manager level.  The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate and placement within the pay grade will be dependent on the candidate’s specific background and qualifications and equilibrium with our internal equity. FCNL is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of the DMV. As part of our AJEDI commitment, FCNL strives to make market job offers that are market competitive while maintaining the equilibrium with internal equity of the team. We believe the world can be a better place when candidates do not have to negotiate up their job offer and can trust the best possible offer is being made. For this reason, all FCNL job offers are final. FCNL is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity workplace. All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. 
• This is a full-time exempt position, based on a 37.5-hour workweek. This person is expected to work in-person generally two days a week with the option to telework up to three days a week. More time in the office may be necessary for some weeks depending on FCNL programs, coalition events, and activities in Congress and the Administration. 

 The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.? It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements.? Nothing in this job description restricts FCNL’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.