Climate Program Officer – San Francisco

Employer: Energy Foundation

Position: Climate Program Officer

The Energy Foundation is growing. We are seeking a Program Officer for the Climate Program.

Energy Foundation Overview

Founded in 1991, the Energy Foundation is a grantmaking foundation whose mission is to assist in a national and global transition to a sustainable energy future by advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Foundation's work is largely focused on mitigating global climate change. Its geographic focus is on the United States and China, the largest and fastest growing energy markets in the world.

The Energy Foundation believes a sustainable energy future is one in which the supply and use of energy help promote and maintain high living standards. Key elements of such a future are: (1) more efficient energy use and a successful transition from conventional to renewable energy; (2) maintenance of the earth's ecological systems and the life-supporting services they provide; (3) provision of energy at reasonable cost; and, (4) equitable distribution of energy services to different members of the population, both internationally and within nations.

The following overarching strategic premise drives the Energy Foundation to focus its grantmaking on public policy:

1. New technologies can grow the economy with far less pollution.
2. Policy shapes energy markets, determining which technologies are developed and ultimately thrive.
3. Intelligent philanthropy can influence energy policy, thus leveraging billions of dollars of investment in the energy sector and stimulating dramatic reductions in global warming pollution.

The Foundation is headquartered in San Francisco and also has an office located in Beijing, China. The Foundation has 44 staff members (23 in the San Francisco office) and a 2007 budget of approximately $60 million. For more information about the programs of the Energy Foundation please review the website: www.ef.org.



Climate Program Overview

Halting global warming at 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures—the threshold supported by an increasing number of scientists and analysts—means that U.S. and global carbon emissions must peak before 2015 and decline steeply after that. A recent analysis sponsored by six major foundations (“Design to Win,†California Environmental Associates, August 2007) finds that global CO2 savings of 30 gigatons will be needed by 2030 to meet the 2°C goal.

If we are to succeed in meeting this daunting challenge, the U.S. must establish national policy in the next few years that sets an immediate firm limit on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and drives emissions down over time. More specifically, the Energy Foundation's Climate Program seeks to achieve national carbon policy that puts a price on carbon, immediately reverses the growth in GHG emissions and sets the U.S. on a trajectory of 60 to 80 percent reductions by 2050, prevents additional investment in new high-carbon infrastructure, works in tandem with sector-specific and state-level policies, and promotes U.S. re-engagement in international negotiations over a climate treaty. Achieving such a policy in the next few years is at the outside edge of what is politically conceivable today.

The Climate Program's task is to accelerate work on policy design questions (such as allocation of carbon permits, cost containment, and linkages to state policies) and build political support for a strong policy. Our strategies to build political support include continuing the progress on precedent-setting policies at the state and regional levels, earning media attention, supporting economic analysis, engaging non-environmental constituencies, and organizing in states and districts.

The Energy Foundation's Climate Program has a strong history of helping to build momentum for U.S. climate policy at the state level. The Climate Program has been the largest funder behind the successful efforts to get governors from both parties all across the country to step out on global warming, and to establish state and regional climate policy precedents. Twenty-four states are now working on cap-and-trade and an additional seven states are preparing comprehensive climate plans. The Climate Program will continue to support these efforts, while it also expands to fund more work aimed directly at national policy.



Program Officer

The Program Officer will be based in San Francisco and report to Marcus Schneider, Climate Program Director. The Program Officer, Program Director, and Program Associate Jane Bloch will work as a team to achieve the Climate Program objectives. The Program Officer will work with the Program Director to develop and refine program goals, strategies, and priorities. The Program Officer will also:

* manage a grants portfolio and budget (approximately $4 million to start) aimed at winning specific policy objectives;
* solicit, review, and recommend proposals for funding;
* write dockets for board consideration;
* evaluate the impact of individual grants;
* maintain relationships with grantees, other funders, and other experts and leaders in the field;
* initiate strategy calls and meetings as needed;
* engage directly in the field as needed; and,
* help prepare compelling proposals and reports for the Energy Foundation's funding partners.



Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The Program Officer should ideally embody the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

* A deep commitment to the mission and values of the Energy Foundation.
* At least five to seven years' experience in the fields of energy or climate policy, either in policy development, policy execution, or campaigning.
* Comfort with qualitative and quantitative energy and climate policy analysis.
* An insightful, independent analytic mind.
* A strong track record of applying sound political and strategic judgment in complex situations.
* Experience negotiating with government officials or business leaders.
* Experience creating collaboration among networks of organizations or companies.
* Proven ability to initiate and manage projects.
* Outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
* Ability to work well in a team; enthusiastic personality; sense of humor.
* Willingness to travel.



We are especially interested in candidates with one or more of the following attributes, though these are not required: (1) a background in economic analysis, (2) professional experience and relationships in either the Midwest or Southeast, (3) professional background in and relationships with non-environmental constituencies important to the climate debate (e.g., labor unions, Latino organizations), (4) grantmaking experience. Masters or other advanced degree preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The Energy Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience.

Start Date: Immediate

How to Apply

Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter explaining how their skills and background fit this position and a resume to Craig Appel, Director of Partner Relations, The Energy Foundation, 1012 Torney Ave. #1, San Francisco, CA 94129. FAX 415-561-6709 EMAIL: craig@ef.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Women and people of color are especially encouraged to apply. The Energy Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer.

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