Climate and energy policy advisor

Third Way is a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas.

Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security. But we identify as center-left, because we see that space in U.S. politics as offering the only real path for advancing those ideals in the century ahead.

Our agenda is ambitious, aspirational, and actionable. It is built on the bedrock belief that for political movements to succeed in our political system, they must relentlessly re-imagine their policies, strategies, and coalitions.

We are fighting for opportunity, so everyone has the chance to earn a good life; progress on social issues, so all have the freedom to live the lives they choose; and security, so we are protected from 21st century global threats.

The role

The mission of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program is to promote policies that put the US on the fastest, fairest path to net-zero emissions by 2050. The Policy Advisor will work to persuade policymakers and those who influence them that eliminating emissions from industry and deploying carbon capture, use, and storage are critical pieces of this larger effort. They will also analyze and advance specific policy ideas to support carbon capture and various methods of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector.

Key roles and responsibilities

As the Policy Advisor, a typical day might include:

• Conducting in-depth, research and quantitative analysis to better understand and explain the importance and impact of carbon capture, and the economic and climate opportunities that could be created by eliminating emissions from the industry;
• Identifying policies on which Third Way can focus its advocacy efforts for maximum impact toward reducing industrial sector emissions and deploying carbon capture technology;
• Authoring high-impact written reports, memos, and op-eds that persuasively support policy goals;
• Analyzing proposed policy ideas and assessing their impacts on consumer costs, emissions, and jobs, directing the work of contracted experts if necessary;
• Expanding Third Way’s partnerships with NGOs, industry, federal agencies, and congressional offices that can advance our policy agenda; and
• Working with other members of Third Way’s Climate and Energy and Communications teams to help plan and execute digital collateral, events, and other outreach efforts to further policy goals regarding the industrial sector and carbon capture.

Experience and skills

This might be the job for you, if you:

• Have an understanding of federal climate and clean energy policy with a particular understanding of the industrial sector and carbon capture, use, and storage;
• Are passionate about developing and advocating smart climate policy solutions;
• Can demonstrate an ability to write clearly on complex topics for an audience of non-experts;
• Are comfortable conducting quantitative analysis, including original interpretation and presentation of climate and clean energy data; and;
• Have a graduate degree in a relevant field or an undergraduate degree and 3+ years of relevant work experience.

Other useful information

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
• Creators: People who foster divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.
• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU’LL:

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn about all aspects of Business Operations, which includes benefits, IT, finance, and office operations.
• Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.
• Learn our current processes for payroll, compliance, and labor tracking, and how you will partner with Finance and the rest of the Business Operations team on these processes.
• Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager to ensure you fully understand the expectations of the job.
• Attend your departmental weekly meetings. You’ll learn about the key goals of your program, how they’re doing, what challenges they face, and how you will contribute.
• Share coffee with the COO and learn about the history and growth of Third Way.

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU’LL:

• Gain an understanding of each employee’s role and their contribution to the organization.
• Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contribution to TW’s mission.
• Sit in on a riveting story about Third Way’s history with one of the original founders of Third Way. You will learn about our successes, as well as our failures. This will also afore you the opportunity to learn about future direction.
• Incorporate TW’s Style Guide and Production process into your work products.
• Participate in, at least, one of our internal Professional Development trainings or a Center for Fun activity.
• Learn and experience TW’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect in the workplace.
• Attend meetings with external partners and coalitions that Third Way engages with on topics within your work portfolio.
• Draft at least one persuasive written product for public release.

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU’LL:

• Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, your team, and your work.
• Continue to attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of your team’s strategic goal and how it can be advanced by the work done within your issue portfolio.
• Bring new product and event ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.
• Attend and participate in external functions with other members of your team.
• Complete your 90-day self-evaluation and performance review with your manager.
• Partner with your manager to establish your long-term goals for the remainder of the year.

Third Way is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.