Policy Program Associate

Department: College of Humanities and Social Sciences - Center for Climate Change Communication

Classification: Program Admin Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Consortium is an organization of 51 medical societies representing 700,000 physicians, which has come together to communicate with the public and policymakers about the harms to health and equity associated with climate change and the benefits of equitable climate change solutions.  There are also 75 affiliated health organizations including 25 state-based clinician groups (Clinicians for Climate Action or CCA groups), and a program for individual Climate and Health Advocates. The Mission and Consensus statements of the Consortium and the resources it offers to physicians may be viewed here: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org (or www.docsforclimate.org ). 

The Consortium seeks to develop coordination on climate and health policy among its member societies, increase the capacity of individual physicians, national societies and state CCA’s to address effectively, through the legislative process at state and national levels, the extraordinary challenge to human health represented by climate change and climate injustice.      

About the Position:

The Policy Program Associate manages programs on advocacy, policy, states, and communications, coordinates outreach and recruitment of new medical societies, and helps guide the strategic priorities of the Consortium. The Policy Program Associate reports to the Director of Programs, Outreach, and Strategy and supports the development, implementation and tracking, and evaluation of the Consortium’s policy and advocacy efforts.

The Policy Program Associate works with the Policy Lead and Director to coordinate advocacy and outreach activities related to federal and state policy and strategic communications. Advocates include members of the 50-member medical societies, 25 state affiliates (and counting) and individual Climate and Health advocates. The Program Associate assists advocates to become more effective in their educational and outreach efforts at federal and state levels.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the analysis and development of educational resources on climate and health policy for the Consortium network:
  • Gathers information on climate and health policies and analyzing existing policies, research papers and data;
  • Creates educational materials such as presentations, reports, and guides related to climate and health policy;
  • Collaborates with members of our consortium network to understand their needs through meetings, training, and workshops, and evaluates the impact of these policy engagements so that concepts are clear and accessible making adjustments as needed; and
  • Serves as the liaison with climate health coalitions.
• Works with the state affairs and communications teams to develop resources and implement federal and state policy outreach strategies and communications vehicles for the 51-member medical societies, 25 state affiliates (and counting) and individual Climate and Health advocates; and
• Assists in the development of in-person and virtual events benefitting the organization and its members.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in policy and advocacy work, project or program management, and the coordination, tracking, and evaluation of projects and programs;
• Leadership experience with state and/or national advocacy organizations;
• Knowledge of the environmental effects and related health impacts of climate change;
• Advanced knowledge of computer applications;
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Research, problem-solving, program management and organizational, and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated ability to organize, track, evaluate project and program activities and data;
• Ability to listen actively and frame issues;
• Ability to find information efficiently using multiple sources; and
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and work effectively under pressure, both independently and with a team. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field; and
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Master's Degree in a related field.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Policy Program Associate at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Posting Open Date: February 5, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: February 19, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes