Senior Associate: Carbon-Free Buildings—Appliance Policy Specialist

Do you love solving challenging problems? Do you enjoy crafting compelling analysis-based communications and developing and executing campaigns to mobilize organizations to act? Are you passionate about the clean energy transition and climate action? If yes, then join our growing team!  

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is seeking an Appliance Policy Specialist (mid-level research and coalition-building position) to focus on appliance policy within the Carbon-Free Buildings team. RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings program seeks to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. buildings by 2050 through market and policy solutions that support a just, equitable transition for all.  RMIers bring a variety of skillsets, and we welcome candidates with diverse educational and work backgrounds.  

We highly encourage individuals of underrepresented groups to apply!    

Position Overview: 

RMI is seeking an Appliance Policy Specialist to play a leading role in developing and executing action campaigns to address climate and air pollution from fossil-fuel appliances in buildings. In this role, you will work with initiative leadership to identify venues in which to focus policy campaigns; develop campaign plans that effectively deploy appliance policy technical assistance, communications, collaborative convenings, and other tactics to mobilize climate action among policymakers; expand expertise in equitable appliance policy implementation; translate analytical research into actionable technical assistance; and motivate and engage other stakeholders to advance climate progress. 

 As a Policy Specialist, you are an independent, creative problem solver that takes initiative to apply your analytical abilities and policy expertise to translate research into action campaigns and technical assistance. You will collaborate with team members to craft visionary yet practical policy solutions for a wide range of U.S. state and federal leaders. We value self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, the ability to drive oneself and others toward meaningful results, a passion for the clean energy transition, and experience in policy work.   

 Key Responsibilities: 

• With senior guidance, develop and execute appliance regulation campaign strategies to accelerate U.S. climate progress by securing standards from federal, state, and regional agencies. Determine change models, intervention points and tactics, timelines, resource plans, communications plans, and stakeholder engagement. Work with diverse partners to structure, organize, and execute identified strategies. Resolve any issues throughout the project life cycle.  
• Lead and support stakeholder engagement across a diverse set of public sector, private sector, civil society, and non-profit stakeholders. This could include convening and facilitating collaborative workshops that bring RMI’s facilitation approach to develop new solutions and strategies, providing hands-on support to a cohort of entities through multiple phases of solution execution, and implementing multiple communications tactics to engage a broad set of entities. 
• Build stakeholder and public awareness of the air quality impacts of fossil fuel use in buildings. This could include preparing external-facing materials, delivering presentations, and authoring publications. 
• Develop analysis-driven, actionable technical assistance products such as guidance, checklists, tools, case studies, webinars, and model language to support accelerated climate action. Translate technical analysis into clear and compelling messaging for non-technical audiences. 
• Synthesize policy recommendations into written reports, blogs, and public comments for a range of audiences. 
• Contribute to media interviews and publications to share project insights and publicly represent RMI.    
• Support and coordinate with team members to identify and prioritize new project opportunities, deliver on existing projects related to appliance policy, and transfer knowledge to increase team effectiveness. 
• Support senior staff and the development team with managing funder relationships and additional fundraising to raise resources.  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• 5+ years of professional work experience—or a graduate degree and 3+ years of professional work experience—in an applicable field including but not limited to policy, law, economics, business (marketing, finance, international), engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy), architecture, physical and social sciences 
• Proven experience developing and executing campaigns to mobilize action 
• A track record or other demonstration of integrating a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in work, team culture, and outcomes 
• Familiarity with appliance manufacturing, design, emissions, or efficiency standards 
• Understanding of the health and air quality impacts of gas combustion  
• Familiarity with energy, climate, buildings, air quality, and/or the electricity industry 
• Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines 
• Experience structuring, organizing, and executing project work 
• Experience supporting external stakeholder engagement 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Highly collaborative, strong team player 
• Passionate to make a difference, and to deliver impact towards a clean, prosperous, and
• Experience participating in agency rulemaking processes at the state, federal, or secure, low-carbon energy future for all regional level 
• Ability to synthesize technical analysis into compelling recommendations for policymakers 

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with the U.S. climate movement, preferably with experience operating in
• Ability to travel 10-20% (once public health conditions allow) multiple geographies and at multiple scales (e.g., regional, state, local) 
• Experience managing high performing junior team members in a project-based work environment 

Location  

We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado, and Basalt, Colorado.   

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.  

We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process.  

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This Executive Order requires that all federal contractors and subcontractors mandate and verify that all U.S. based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are based in the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status as a condition of employment. You may request an accommodation for medical or religious reasons. If you are based outside of the U.S., this requirement does not apply. 

 Compensation: 

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Typically, new Senior Associate level hires based in the U.S. join at the minimum to mid salary range of $79,000-$93,000. You would also have an additional 5% bonus target! 

Benefits  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Medical, dental, vision insurance  
• 403b retirement options (5% match immediately)  
• Generous paid time off 
• Learning & Development opportunities 
• Parental leave  
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability  
• Commuter and wellness benefits  

Diversity    

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.  

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we:  

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.  
• Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.          

 About RMI  

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.