Opportunity·Jul 26, 2023

Assistant, Federal Policy

Apply to our Assistant, Federal Policy role.

About Ceres 
Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization leading the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through our powerful networks and advocacy, we tackle the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our website (www.ceres.org).

About the Federal Policy Team   
Ceres’ Federal Policy team works with the private sector members of the Ceres Policy Network and Ceres Investor Network to make the business case and build support for ambitious federal climate and clean energy policies and regulations. We strategically mobilize our bench of private sector advocates to engage and educate members of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. federal administration to support smart policies that will equitably tackle the climate crisis and seize the economic opportunities of anAmerica-led clean energy future.

About the Role 
The Assistant, Federal Policy supports the Director, Federal Policy, and the Federal Policy team. We seek an energetic, highly motivated, and organized self-starter to play a critical administrative and programmatic support role, both internally and externally. This full-time position reports to the Director, Federal Policy. The role is hybrid; the preferred location for this role is the Washington, DC area.

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

  • Provide administrative and logistical support to the Director, Federal Policy, and the Federal Policy team:
    • acting as a primary point of contact,
    • prioritizing calls, correspondence, and meeting requests,
    • managing calendars/schedules, and
    • ensuring follow-through of specific activities and projects to completion.
  • Support the Director, Federal Policy in setting agendas for team meetings, taking and disseminating meeting notes, and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
  • Attend internal and external meetings, as assigned, to take notes, identify next steps, and ensure follow-through of activities to completion.
  • Assist in development and management of team planning, goal setting, and impact tracking, working in concert with the Director, Federal Policy, and project leads.
  • Support coordination, logistics, and management of team events and retreats, working closely with the Director, Federal Policy, and project leads.
  • Assist team in roll out and distribution activities of key advocacy and special projects.
  • Provide event and development activity support for Director, Federal Policy and Federal Policy team, including conducting research, drafting speaking points and/or presentations, and attending meetings, as needed.
  • Assist with planning, coordination, and logistics for Ceres advocacy days, annual conference, participation in international climate negotiations, and other team- and organization-wide events.
  • Support engagements with private sector network members and prospects, external partners, funders, and special projects, as necessary.
  • Book travel, schedule meetings, and draft trip itineraries for Director, Federal Policy; and
  • Process Director’s expense reports, reimbursements, and other finance-related administrative duties.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications 
  • Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience required.
  • Minimum of one year of relevant, full-time work experience required. Previous office experience, including internships considered.
  • Outstanding organizational, time management, and administrative skills, with keen attention to detail. Experience as an assistant to a senior executive a plus.
  • Demonstrated initiative, motivation, and ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Sound judgment and high level of integrity and professionalism, with an ability to manage confidential information and maintain discretion, diplomacy, and courtesy in all contacts.
  • Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal, and excellent research and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Ability to work proactively, both independently and collaboratively, with a team.
  • Knowledge of, or experience with, federal policy and/or sustainability issues, particularly understanding of the role of business, the investment community, and/or NGOs, a plus.
  • Proficiency with MS word-processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and presentation programs.
  • Familiarity with Salesforce, a plus.
  • Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity.
Compensation and Benefits  
The hiring salary is $48,750 to $51,000 and is paired with competitive benefits. Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 90% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for professional development, commuter, and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including a week-long winter break, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.

Ceres Culture   
Everyone has a role to play in the movement towards a more just and sustainable world.

At Ceres, we are committed to intentionally and carefully curating, engaging, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We endeavor to create a supportive environment that sparks innovation, fosters respect, and allows Ceres employees, in all roles at all levels, to come together equally to be fulfilled, successful, and to thrive.

Ceres is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.

If you have questions related to the above statement or need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our ADA Coordinator at ADArequest@ceres.org. Please note, this email address is for ADA inquiries only.

To Apply   
We encourage all applicants to check out our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of three references through our online application.

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