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JOB TITLE: Associate Director      
PROGRAM: Environment, Energy & Transportation   
LOCATION: Hybrid/Denver         
SALARY: $  95,087   annually
STATUS:  Full-time 

ABOUT NCSL:
Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff come to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. 

ABOUT THE ROLE:
NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation (EET) Program seeks an associate director for energy with extensive experience in leading people and managing projects in a grant-funded environment. The skill set of this senior leadership position involves demonstrated expertise in a range of energy policies, proficient management and supervisory skills, outstanding research and writing ability, fundraising and program development aptitude, and the capacity to staff NCSL’s legislative energy task forces and working groups.

NCSL’s EET Program is dynamic and enterprising, responsible for keeping state legislators and legislative staff apprised of state and federal policies in energy, environment, and transportation. In conjunction with significant management responsibilities, the energy associate director will specialize in state and federal energy policy, requiring proven competence in legislative, statutory and regulatory research and analysis, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills. This includes providing nonpartisan analysis and expertise on a wide range of energy policies that span legislative and executive action across the country within a culture of innovation and excellence. NCSL and the EET Program offer opportunities for professional growth and development to enhance leadership skills, foster energy policy expertise and ensure nonpartisan delivery of research and analysis for state legislators, legislative staff and related constituencies. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO:
The Associate Director is a senior leadership position responsible for project oversight, grant administration, fundraising, staff supervision, and member services related to research and policy. Associate Directors work closely with the director of the program to lead the development and implementation of assigned projects and is responsible for ensuring employees meet expected standards of performance. Associate Directors typically supervise multiple professional staff. This position reports to the director of the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
  • Manages, oversees and coordinates energy policy research and complex work across multiple projects, activities and funding streams while ensuring quality standards, contract specifications and deadlines are met.
  • Oversees and reviews the work of other staff on legislative research or policy-focused projects, while demonstrating an understanding of political context and a high degree of responsiveness to constituents.
  • Leads fundraising and works with the director on fundraising efforts, such as concept development, proposal writing, budget development, application submission and funder negotiations.
  • Leads ongoing funder communication related to projects, such as project updates, emails and conference calls. Completes project reporting as required by the funder. Develops or assists with developing project budgets, goals, work plans and priorities.
  • Manages or coordinates planning of educational meetings and technical assistance efforts for legislators and legislative staff, generally requiring astute political judgments, a high degree of responsiveness to constituents and an understanding of NCSLs priorities and concerns.
  • Collaborates with other NCSL programs and external partners to develop and implement innovative projects.
  • Writes skillfully with minimal need for editing for a full range of publications. Reviews, edits and provides feedback on the substance and quality of writing assignments for other staff.
  • Develops and implements communication strategies for disseminating and raising the visibility of NCSLs educational products and services.
  • Maintains subject matter expertise and an extensive network of relationships with federal agencies, funders, private-sector partners and interest groups.
  • Travels domestically for meetings, technical assistance, and other project activities as needed.
  • Performs other responsibilities as needed.
Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:
  • Supervises, supports and coaches staff members.
  • Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff.
  • Oversees the daily workflow of the assigned projects.
  • Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
  • Provides employees the opportunity for ongoing professional development within the assigned topic areas.
  • Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with organization policy.
 
THE WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions


Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
  • Bachelor's degree plus eight years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field.
  • Including, four or more years of increasingly responsible leadership and supervisory roles that include oversight of multiple functions, strategic planning, budget and grant development, personnel management, team building, and program development.
  • Substantial knowledge of energy topics, including alternative fuels and electric vehicles, fossil fuels, energy resiliency, cyber security, nuclear generation and waste management, renewable energy and energy efficiency, grid modernization, among other emerging energy policy developments, plus demonstrated ability to quickly attain expertise in new topic areas. 
  • Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate information to a variety of audiences.
  • Excellent people and relationship-building skills, ability to function as both a member and leader of the team, and the ability to develop a strong and trustworthy relationship with all internal and external teammates.
  • Excellent ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, national partner organizations and funders.
  • Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
  • Excellence in a wide range of policy and legislative analysis skills, including experience translating policy, analyzing policy data, writing publications and presenting policy overviews.
  • Excellence in developing and executing educational/informational products and services for adult learners (i.e., legislators, legislative staff and others).
  • Demonstrated excellence in project management, including organizing project work; managing deadlines; and assigning, overseeing and/or completing project tasks. Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan meetings and manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Exceptional knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.
  • At least three years of experience supervising or managing others. Excellence in staff supervision and development (i.e., delegating, supervising, evaluating work and coaching).
  • At least two years of fundraising experience, such as grant writing and reporting, managing public and private grants and contracts, and maintaining funder relations.
  • Ability to travel by air up to 10 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: 
NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff come to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off the volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:
If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, January 30, 2023.  Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.