State Policy Director

Summary

Join CALSTART as their State Policy Director and champion clean transportation initiatives in California. This impactful role involves overseeing government relations, building stakeholder coalitions, and advocating for policies that advance zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). You will develop and maintain relationships with key government officials, agencies, and legislators. The position requires expertise in California's clean transportation policy landscape and strong communication skills. You will also supervise a team and contribute to CALSTART's policy thought leadership. This is a full-time position offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 8 years of experience in clean transportation, sustainability, and/or policy advocacy and a passion for advancing the commercialization of clean transportation technologies
• Expertise in California clean air, climate, and/or transportation policy
• A comfort level working and communicating with diverse stakeholder groups
• The ability to be a “bridge” between policymakers and leaders from the environmental community and industry
• Strong ability and desire to find common ground and “win-win” policy solutions that advance the clean transportation industry
• Strong interpersonal communications skills, that include listening and understanding the positions of various groups, as well as speaking/presenting in different situations
• Ability to effectively communicate with technical industry stakeholders, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders, including public speaking experience/skills
• Strong written communications skills, including experience with formal written comments (legislative, regulatory) as well as more general writing (white papers, policy memos, short fact sheets, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively with executives
• Ability to manage multiple projects and processes simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable learning about, understanding, and discussing new vehicle and fuel technologies
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to develop and manage events and workshops
• Ability to use legislative and statutory research tools
• Knowledge of state agency regulatory dockets
• Knowledge of state agency “rule of practice and procedure”
• Knowledge of CA legislative procedures, timelines, etc
• A passion for the CALSTART mission of working with industry to make air healthy to breathe and to protect the climate and environment

Responsibilities

• Oversee state government relations and regulatory advocacy in the California legislature, key agencies, and the governor’s office
• Build and lead stakeholder coalitions on key legislative and regulatory issues
• Develop and maintain relationships with key agency staff, legislators, committees, and committee staff (especially budget committees)
• Advance Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by advocating for strong, practical, achievable and implementable regulations
• Encourage state agencies to develop and/or authorize new programs for ZEVs and ZEV infrastructure, including incentive programs, utility infrastructure/charging programs, and financing programs
• Support CALSTART’s policy thought leadership, further the legislature’s understanding of CALSTART’s mission and work, and support our members’ brand visibility through hosting an annual CA policy summit
• Oversee all other state legislative and regulatory work in partnership with the regional directors
• Engage with CALSTART members on policy, lead policy action groups (PAGs) and coalitions
• Track and share updates on policy with general membership informed on policy. Draft and submit formal comments and letters on behalf of CALSTART and/or PAGs
• Engage with utility regulatory commissions across the country to influence utility programs that support Commercial EVs and public charging, in coordination with regional office directors
• Support legislation in states outside CA and engage members on legislation in other states (e.g., OR, WA), such as Low-Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS), etc., establishment of new state incentive programs for ZE vehicles and infrastructure
• Promote CALSTART’s work with foundations to secure philanthropic funding for policy work
• Supervise one or more employees in daily work

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in public policy, law, business, or engineering
• Experience with writing proposals and securing grant funding from foundations, government
• Experience working with and securing funding from state agencies
• Experience working with California Agencies, such as California Air Resources Board
• Experience advocating for Low Carbon or Clean Fuel Standards

Benefits

• 100% company paid comprehensive health benefits for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Retirement plan with generous company contributions
• FSA for Health and Dependent Care
• 3 weeks of vacation time in the first year of employment
• 11 paid company holidays
• Paid sick time
• Paid family leave