Regional Biocarbon Initiative Coordinator

Regional Biocarbon Initiative Coordinator
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION SUMMARY:
Climate Solutions' mission is to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment and bridging divides in the Pacific Northwest. Since our founding in 1998, Climate Solutions has emerged as one of the most effective, accomplished climate groups in the nation. In partnerships with an extraordinarily wide array of business, farm, government, and civic interests, Climate Solutions is building a new, sustainable prosperity in the region. And we aim to do it in ways that build the technologies, policies, and enterprises that can deliver climate solutions to the world. Climate Solutions has offices in Seattle, Olympia, Portland, and Missoula. For more information about Climate Solutions, visit www.climatesolutions.org.

Climate Solutions, in partnership with a diverse group of NGO and other allies, is launching a new project – the Northwest Regional Biocarbon Initiative (NW-RBI). NW-RBI is designed to establish the Pacific Northwest as a globally-significant pioneer of strategies to grow the capacity of farm, forest and urban lands to soak up carbon from the atmosphere, while supporting vital ecosystem services, and yielding sustainable energy and bio-products as appropriate. To keep carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere at levels scientists say is required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we will need to both rapidly phase out the use of fossil fuels and develop effective mechanisms to increase the capacity of biological systems to store carbon. The Pacific Northwest, due to its rich forest and agricultural resources, and its strong pool of innovators, is positioned for global leadership. NW-RBI seeks a catalytic role for the Northwest as a leading laboratory and incubator for the science, policy, finance vehicles, business models and best practices the world must adopt to meet its biocarbon imperative.

We are looking for a talented coordinator to launch this exciting project. NW-RBI is a complex new project involving a large number of coalition partners spread across a big geography. Our Coordinator needs, first and foremost, a significant experience and skill working with and coordinating coalitions. We are looking for someone who embraces the challenge of this position, and is able to lead a strong group of partners through a flexible process, adapting to opportunities and lessons of the coalition as we collectively evolve.

The successful candidate will also exhibit a strong ability to evaluate conflicting opinions, policy statements and research findings to identify those solutions that will lead most effectively to the desired goal of wise carbon management.

The position is supervised by Rhys Roth, Director of Strategic Innovation, with significant input from the NW-RBI Organizing Committee. Currently, the Organizing Committee includes representatives from the following organizations: Pacific Forest Trust, Climate Trust, Bullitt Foundation, Conservation Northwest, American Farmland Trust, Ecotrust, Washington Environmental Council, Oregon Environmental Council, and Climate Solutions.

The location of the position is flexible between Seattle, Olympia, or Portland.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Build and coordinate the coalition’s Organizing Committee, including establishing a well-functioning governance structure for the newly formed effort.
• Work with coalition members and other key allies to create a multi-year biocarbon policy roadmap for the region.
• Coordinate outreach to key target audiences, including policymakers at the local, state, and regional levels; and leaders in the agriculture and forest industries.
• Identify and lead efforts to champion early momentum-generating field projects, working with universities, farmers, foresters, and others working on cutting-edge projects in the region.
• Coordinate a communications strategy for the project, partnering with communications staff from coalition members and potentially outside consultants.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
• At least 3 years of coalition building experience.
• At least 1 year of program management experience that includes staff supervision and program planning.

Skills and Knowledge:
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, verbal, and analytic skills.
• A collaborative and inspirational nature.
• Strong project management and planning skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to operate desktop computer, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and specialized software applications in a network environment.
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Climate Solutions.
• Solid scientific understanding of the carbon cycle as it relates to biological systems, and forestry and agriculture in particular, a plus.
• Ability to critically evaluate and compare technical reports and studies; and/or work effectively with technical experts.

Licenses or Certificates:
• Possession of, or ability to possess within 3 months, a U.S. driver’s license and auto insurance.

REMUNERATION
This is an exempt position with the salary range of $50,000- $60,000 based on the successful applicant’s skills and experience. In addition to salary we offer a generous benefits including medical, paid leave, and retirement.

TO APPLY
Send a résumé, cover letter addressed to Rhys Roth, Director of Strategic Innovation, a writing sample, and at least three professional reference contacts to: Conner Sharpe, Director of Administration and Finance, conner@climatesolutions.org.
(List Biocarbon Coordinator in the subject line and please tell us in the body of the email where you learned of the position).

Applications accepted until November 19th.

Climate Solutions is committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.

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