Climate Action Coordinator

Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is seeking a dedicated and passionate Climate Action Coordinator to identify and implement our grassroots organizing needs, including coordination of the Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network (VECAN), a statewide network of community energy committees across Vermont and the nonprofit partners who work to support them.  The primary responsibilities of the position are to shape public and member understanding of the value of reducing fossil fuel consumption – through efficiency, conservation, renewable investments, and smart land use practices – help prepare Vermont communities for a warmer, more volatile world, and empower more Vermonters to become partners in climate-action progress. With a focus on communications, outreach and organizing, the Climate Action Coordinator will build relationships with local leaders and activists and plan and manage public events and activities intended to drive engagement with VNRC and our policy campaigns. Where appropriate, the Coordinator will also work with our partner organization, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV).

Position: Climate Action Coordinator
Status: Permanent, Full-time (40 hours/week)
Salary/Benefits: $45,000-$53,000, plus a $21,000 benefits stipend
Reports to: Energy and Climate Action Program Director

Key Responsibilities:

• Helping coordinate the Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network (VECAN), a statewide network of community energy committees across Vermont and the nonprofit partners who work to support and strengthen their grassroots efforts.
• Building the capacity of VNRC’s members to engage on our issues, as well as strengthening the leadership role of partners and town energy committee leaders under the VECAN umbrella.
• Help shape, influence and mobilize members and Vermonters to support forward-looking clean energy and climate policy and programs at the state, regional and local level.
• Communications, outreach and organizing support, including working closely with the VNRC communications and outreach team to advance strategic campaigns and support implementation of Vermont’s Climate Action Plan.
• Policy advocacy on VNRC’s priorities, including assisting other program directors on priority policy issues, as well as helping to coordinate the ActOnClimateVT Coalition.
• Assisting with event organizing, membership outreach and representing VNRC at a range of meetings and events.
• Helping to ensure that VNRC’s efforts strive to center equity and environmental justice in its work. This includes reaching out to, and forging relationships with, historically marginalized and low-income Vermonters.
• Maintain an up-to-date working expertise on a wide range of energy issues and coordinate with VNRC colleagues on energy and climate change issues in key forums, including in state agency, legislative, business and public arenas.
• Play a lead role in identifying strategic collaborative opportunities and lending targeted support on program, project or priority opportunities to town energy committees.
• Across all VNRC’s programs, work to identify and create opportunities to integrate energy-saving transportation and resilient land use solutions in local, regional and state efforts, planning and policymaking.
• Collaborate with VNRC’s strategic partner, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), on joint initiatives, events and legislative campaigns.
• During election years, work for VCV and help elect climate leaders to the Vermont Legislature and statewide offices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of VNRC’s four program areas: clean water, healthy forests, clean energy and climate action, and sustainable communities
• Demonstrated commitment to protecting Vermont’s environment.
• Belief in VNRC’s mission and commitment to engaging citizens, our members, opinion leaders and policymakers to support our work.
• Strong attention to detail, organizing experience, and proven coordination, collaboration and coalition-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivation and an ability to work with limited supervision and manage multiple projects successfully and simultaneously.
• Ability to serve as an articulate, compelling voice for VNRC and our issues, and ensure VNRC is participating in the most important efforts underway on climate change and clean energy solutions in the state.
• Experience with event planning and coordination, media relations, presentations and public speaking, and/or social media

VNRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates whose identities have been historically underrepresented in the environmental movement, including people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, or people of color; people from marginalized economic backgrounds; and people living with disabilities. VNRC is committed to a process of centering equity, environmental justice, diversity, and inclusion in our work through such values as humility and reciprocity, collaboration and power sharing, and integrity and accountability. Applicants should share a commitment to this effort.

The Climate Action Coordinator is a full-time, hybrid position based at our Montpelier office with a salary range of $45,000 to $53,000, commensurate with experience, plus a $21,000 benefits stipend. This stipend may be applied to health/dental insurance and/or taken as additional salary.  Other benefits include a Simple IRA plan with an employer match of up to 3% (following six months of employment), a flexible and supportive work environment with hybrid remote and in-person options, opportunities for employer-paid professional development, and generous paid time off, including personal, sick, vacation and holiday time.