With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
The Tom Graff Diversity Fellowship Program at EDF is looking for diverse candidates who are seeking a professional experience in environmental advocacy. The fellowship is a full-time, one-year position focused on a project that is integral to EDF’s work in Clean Energy.
Overall Function
Under supervision of the New York Director for Clean Energy, the Tom Graff Fellow will work closely with economists, lawyers, media and program staff across the organization to advance EDF Clean Energy goals. The Tom Graff Fellow will work as part of the EDF team engaged in the REV initiative, a set of interrelated New York State regulatory proceedings aimed at transforming how electric utilities are regulated in order to improve economic and climate performance, and will conduct research and analysis in support of the various policy objectives essential to EDF’s programmatic goals. Specifically, the Tom Graff Fellow will be charged with coordinating work between EDF and our environmental justice (EJ) partners engaged with communities in Brooklyn and Queens.
Key Responsibilities
Electric utilities are poised to invest up to $2 trillion in infrastructure over the next two decades to modernize our aging, inefficient energy infrastructure, creating a once-in-a-century opportunity to revolutionize how we generate, distribute and use electricity. Their investment decisions will be influenced by stricter Clean Air Act standards and the availability of low-cost natural gas, two factors that have combined to create a rare moment of dynamism in the power sector. Environmental Defense Fund’s Clean Energy experts are working with state public utility commissions, utilities, policymakers and other key stakeholders to seize this opportunity to modernize our antiquated electricity grid and spur investments in and break down the regulatory and financial barriers to broad-scale adoption of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other innovative ways to generate and manage energy. These approaches can answer the need for power, spur economic development, lessen our carbon footprint and help America gain a global leadership position in the multi-trillion dollar clean energy economy.
To help ensure that low and moderate income New Yorkers can benefit from the planned investments, EDF is working with EJ groups in NYC to provide support. The Fellow’s primary responsibility will be to provide day-to-day support to key partners in the environmental justice community in New York State, with the opportunity to directly manage particular campaigns as the need arises. Specific initiatives may include promoting energy efficiency, advocating for policy changes aligned with increasing consumer access to data, creating alternative financing mechanisms, and implementing microgrids and grid upgrades for resiliency and environmental benefits, among other things.
The Tom Graff Fellow will be immersed in all aspects of EDF’s political constituency building efforts. This work includes:
- Building partnerships with EJ groups and organizations, grasstop influencers, political leaders and policy makers.
- General support of EDF’s work in NYS electric regulatory proceedings Helping develop policy positionsthat address the needs of low-income and environmental justice communities.
- Reviewing and analyzing regulatory and transactional documents to build internal (EDF Clean Energy New York) understanding of what is contemplated and/or achievable
- Assisting in the development of communications strategies and materials.
- Monitoring and engaging with targeted grassroots campaigns in the New York City area.
Qualifications
- A bachelors degree is required.
- 1 to 3 years of professional work experience in fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
- Excellent research, writing, communication, and problem solving skills.
- Broad awareness and experience using social media and online research tools.
- Ability to work independently, and successfully handle and prioritize diverse, simultaneous tasks.
- Familiarity with environmental policy, particularly climate change, energy or air quality
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).
- Written and oral proficiency in Spanish language strongly preferred. Additional language skills a plus.
Location
New York, NY
Term
This is a one year term fellowship, starting July, 2016 through June, 2017.
Hours
Full-time (35 hours/week)
Application Materials
Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application, together with references and transcripts.
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.
Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer
