Employment

Acadia Center is seeking a Senior Policy Advocate to focus on energy and climate policy initiatives in northern New England, particularly Maine and New Hampshire. The position will advance Acadia Center’s regional and state goals, including multi-state and cross-border efforts.

This role will play an important supporting role advocating for Acadia Center regional and state priorities to promote and implement energy and climate policy advances. These areas focus on clean energy, utility and power grid policy reforms, energy efficiency, and other climate change solutions. Forums include legislative and regulatory proceedings and public engagement work to communicate Acadia Center priorities, solutions and information. The position requires working with partner organizations and building coalitions; drafting public facing position and educational materials; media relations; developing analytical materials; and strategic program planning and coordination with Acadia Center teams.

Responsibilities include advocating for policy reforms, engaging with stakeholders, drafting materials, conducting technical analyses, public speaking and media work and building coalitions. Candidates should have a strong interest in public engagement, sustainable energy and climate issues, with at least five years of relevant experience preferred. Candidates should possess strong quantitative skills and a passion for climate action, energy justice and shaping climate advocacy in ways to resonate with the public. The position requires residency in Maine or New Hampshire and a willingness to represent Acadia Center in person.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance Acadia Center’s regional and state energy and climate policy reforms in northern New England.
• Research and prepare analytical materials that support Acadia Center’s program priorities and project
• Engage in legislative, government agency, community, public engagement, and outreach forums.
• Prepare policy, research, advocacy, and educational materials.
• Draft legislative and regulatory filings.
• Establish strong media relationships and incorporate public engagement strategies as a core part of our advocacy.
• Enhance engagement with community, housing, justice, consumer, and business voices.
• Represent Acadia Center on appointed boards and committees.
• Provide content and coordination with communications and development staff.
• Participate in and inform strategic discussions on regional and state priorities.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information concisely and effectively to critical decision-makers and the public
• Experience and interest in shaping data and analysis to strengthen advocacy materials
• Proven ability to clearly communicate complex regulatory or technical concepts to a wide range of stakeholders, both in writing and verbally
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated capacity to build effective alliances to advance shared goals
• Commitment and enthusiasm for sustainable energy, climate, consumer and energy justice progress
• Interest in managing a diverse workload and participating with supervisors and teams in shaping work plans and schedules
• 5 years of relevant work experience
• J.D. or Master’s degree preferred
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) proficiency

The expected salary range for the Senior Policy Advocate is $90,000 to $102,000 annually. The position is envisioned as either a full-time, exempt, salaried position or as a contract employee. Requests for flexible schedules will be considered. Acadia Center currently has a remote work policy that may be subject to revision. This position requires residency in New Hampshire or Maine with access to state policymaking forums. Travel to regional forums and internal meetings is expected. Acadia Center offers competitive compensation aligned with peer nonprofit organizations, with a salary based on experience and skill level. Compensation is based on factors such as education, work experience, field knowledge, and skill set. For exempt salaried employees, benefits include healthcare, dental, retirement, disability, and PTO.

Diversity and Climate Justice Commitment

Acadia Center is committed to a diverse work environment that advances goals to remedy racial, environmental and climate justice issues. We value a workplace of mutual respect, the ability to learn from one another, and a team culture of inclusion, shared responsibilities, and decision-making. Acadia Center is devoted to the values and ethics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). People from diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. You can read more about our values regarding DEIJ on our mission webpage here.

About Acadia Center

Acadia Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions and climate policies that promote a livable climate and equitable economy. The organization collaborates with policymakers, industry leaders, and grassroots organizations to create innovative energy policies that address climate change and energy efficiency, focusing on electrification of buildings and transportation, clean energy transition, and resource management. Founded in 1998, Acadia Center engages in advocacy, technical analysis, and community-focused initiatives to drive regional and national action toward sustainable energy practices.

Acadia Center is seeking a Development Associate to manage a pipeline of institutional and major gifts accounts.  As part of the development team, you will play an integral role in advancing Acadia Center’s institutional portfolio. The person in this role will support the Director, Foundation and Major Gifts in the management of existing grants, identification of new opportunities through research, proposal writing, reporting, and development of supporting materials to achieve fundraising goals and grant deliverables. This position will also work closely with teams across the organization, including programs, finance and communications to support grant implementation and donor stewardship. Acadia Center offers a creative, respectful, supportive work environment and seeks to build strong, diverse partnerships and networks.

Responsibilities

The position will have four primary areas of responsibility: (1) researching prospective foundations;(2) coordinating internal grants management; and (3) editing, drafting, and preparing foundation proposals and reports, (4) preparing meeting briefs and other collateral materials to support the leadership with donor prospecting.

• Manages the reporting process for current grants, including tracking deadlines, writing narrative reports, and working with programs team on prepare narrative reports for donors.
• Writes and edits proposals for new and renewed funding from institutional donors including philanthropic foundations, corporate foundations, family foundations and DAFs.
• Conducts research on prospective funders and grant opportunities.
• Collaborates with internal teams to effectively gather information necessary for the development and submission of funding proposals, concept notes and grant applications.
• Prepares necessary collateral materials and meeting briefs to support fundraising initiatives.
• Maintains grant calendar and ensures that the team is meeting the donor deadlines.
• Participates in donor meetings along with the leadership team.

• Strong enthusiasm for Acadia Center’s mission and approach to advancing equitable climate solutions
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience with donor research and materials preparation
• Excellent organizational, grants management, and internal coordination skills
• Effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines; sets priorities and schedules
• Excellent attention to detail and proofreading skills
• Microsoft Office suite is a must
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Strong verbal and written communication; knowledge and appreciation for grammar
• Collaborative, strong team player with the ability to work collaboratively
• Bachelor’s degree required, additional experience a plus

Acadia Center compensation is competitive with non-profit peer groups. Compensation levels are expected to range from $65,000 to $75,000, depending on the candidate’s experience and familiarity with tasks needed. This is a full time or contractual (1099 required) position. Benefits include health care, dental, retirement, disability, and vacation. Acadia Center remains largely on a remote work schedule with in-office meetings as needed.

Position Location: NYC preferred, but open to Acadia Center locations in Boston, MA, Maine, Providence, RI or Hartford, CT.

Reports to: Director, Foundation and Major Gifts.

To Apply

To apply, please complete your application here. Phone calls will not be accepted.

Diversity and Climate Justice Commitment

Acadia Center is committed to a diverse work environment that advances goals to remedy racial, environmental, and climate justice issues. We value a workplace of mutual respect, the ability to learn from one another, and a team culture of inclusion, shared responsibilities, and decision-making. Acadia Center is devoted to the values and ethics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. People from diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Acadia Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Acadia Center seeks to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, or ancestry, physical or mental disability, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital or civil union status, military service, citizenship, or any other characteristics and traits protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.