Nevada External Affairs Associate

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." A significant portion of this role involves cultivating and maintaining relationships with Tribal Nations through frequent communication, coordination, and engagement on conservation, energy, infrastructure, and community priorities.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nevada External Affairs Associate plays a key role in programs at the state and local level to affect public and/or corporate policy to further The Nature Conservancy's mission. The Associate will support the External Affairs Director and Nevada Business Unit Strategy Directors in building and maintaining relationships with Nevada's sovereign Indigenous Nations and state, county, and municipal governments. This includes ongoing engagement and regular communication with Tribal Nations to build trust, support collaboration, and advance shared conservation and community priorities. They will interface with federal and state agencies, county and municipal governments, industry representatives, tribal nations, and communities across Nevada to inform and advocate for conservation, community and climate (the 3Cs) outcomes for energy, infrastructure, and critical mineral development.

We're Looking for You:

The External Affairs Associate provides research and policy analysis in support of The Nature Conservancy's policy and/or corporate practice priorities and tracks policies and decisions that directly affect conservation goals. They build and facilitate internal networks, coordinate meetings, agendas, and presentations. They also provide administrative, research, and written communications support related to legislative affairs, including preparing testimonies, correspondence, reports, and other legislative communications. They provide services that assist in influencing the outcome of policy and/or corporate initiatives in Nevada. They develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, Tribes, conservation organizations, and industry to advance the organization's conservation agenda. A significant portion of this role involves cultivating and maintaining relationships with Tribal Nations through frequent communication, coordination, and engagement on conservation, energy, infrastructure, and community priorities. This position will work with the Marketing Manager to coordinate strategic communications at all levels with target audiences regarding TNC's position on climate, energy and infrastructure-related matters. As needed, this position will engage and manage consultants with expertise needed to carry out responsibilities.

What You'll Bring:

• BA/BS degree in climate or energy policy, renewable energy management, or other relevant field and 3 years' experience in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Experience working with, presenting to, and communicating with a range of different audiences about topics related to energy, infrastructure, climate, and the environment.
  
• Experience gathering information from multiple sources and turning it into clear reports.
  
• Experience working with Tribal governments, Tribal entities, or Indigenous organizations.
  
• Experience with legislative, planning, policy or corporate initiatives at state, local, and Tribal levels.
  
• Experience working in partnerships and coalitions.
  
• Fluency in English.
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and subject matter expertise related to energy, especially geothermal, solar and wind, and battery energy storage, including knowledge of federal, state, and local energy policies and regulatory frameworks related to energy transmission and renewable energy deployment in Nevada and the Western U.S.
  
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
  
• Experience with legislative, planning, policy, or corporate initiatives to address greenhouse gas emission reduction and renewable energy development.
  
• Experience building networks or organizational capacity, increasing knowledge sharing, and identifying key stakeholders.
  
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
  
• Team player with strong listening, collaborative and diplomacy skills, and ability to influence without authority.
  

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.