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Policy Advisor for Deployment, Climate and Energy Program

Hybrid
  • Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Climate and Energy Program

Job description

Third Way is a national think tank that was founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security.  We are proud of the organization that we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.


Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program is seeking a Policy Advisor who can advance our efforts to research, design, and promote targeted policies to help pick up the pace of clean energy deployment in the US. Specifically, this team member will support our new Pathways to Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) project which aims to comprehensively identify, categorize, and quantify the non-cost barriers slowing the acceleration of clean energy deployment. This will include developing policies to remove these roadblocks and advocating for them across the D.C. policymaking community. Beyond supporting the PACE project, we’re looking for an experienced professional who can work collaboratively across our many technological focus areas and bring their expertise to the frontline of US public policy.   


As the Policy Advisor for Deployment, a typical day might include…

  • Managing external consultant teams and guiding PACE project development;
  • Coordinating the efforts of multiple internal climate and energy program team members who will be contributing to PACE;
  • Conducting quantitative and qualitative research to better understand the current barriers to clean energy deployment in the US;
  • Analyzing proposed policy ideas and assessing their impact on the development, commercialization, and deployment of clean energy technologies;
  • Engaging with federal agencies, congressional offices, industry officials, and other leading experts to develop and socialize targeted policies;
  • Authoring high-impact written reports, memos, and op-eds that persuasively illuminate the pathways to accelerated clean energy deployment in the US;
  • Engaging with relevant funders and contributing to proposals and reports for the philanthropic grants that support our work;
  • Representing CEP in speaking opportunities and other public-facing capacities related to Third Way’s clean energy deployment work;
  • Leveraging your technical expertise to support other climate and energy program team members in their efforts to accelerate clean energy deployment; and
  • Working with other members of Third Way’s climate and energy, communications, and advocacy teams to help plan and execute events and digital collateral around the policies needed to help focus, fund, and scale clean energy deployment.

Job requirements

  • This might be the job for you, if you have…
    • At least three years of experience in clean energy project development, project management, or a related field;
    • Technological and/or policy expertise in the utility-scale solar PV, high-voltage transmission, and/or green hydrogen industries;
    • Demonstrated ability to speak and write about complex topics in a way that is clear and compelling for a non-expert audience;
    • Experience working with quantitative and qualitative datasets, such as large clean energy project databases as well as survey and interview responses;
    • Knowledge of capital project development in the US;
    • A knack for creative problem-solving and collaborating with a diverse team; and

    Passion for advancing smart ideas to help the world achieve emissions goals while creating more opportunities for American businesses and workers in emerging clean energy markets.

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 fosters 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.
  • Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.
  • 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 a coffee with the Senior Director of Business Operations and learn about the history and growth of Third Way.
  • Become familiar with the Climate and Energy Program’s objectives and strategy regarding clean energy innovation and deployment.
  • Participate in innovation and deployment stakeholder coalition calls.

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU'LL...

  • Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contribution to TW’s mission.
  • 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.
  • Develop written advocacy and educational products that advance our work on economic policy.
  • Begin to establish relationships with our key allies and expert advisors.
  • Develop a cadence for check-ins with your manager, technological cluster, and external consultants.
  • Take part in meetings with federal agencies and congressional staff.

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.
  • Publish a public-facing product based on your initial work plan and work to promote it with our customers.
  • Bring new ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.
  • 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 committed to the health, safety, and wellness of all employees, candidates, stakeholders, and communities. To support that commitment, all current and newly hired employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of full vaccination status will be required after an offer of employment is extended and accepted. Failure to provide proof of full vaccination before the start date will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.


Third Way offers a flexible, hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.


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.


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