Policy Director

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) is a national non-profit organization that certifies eligible hydropower facilities that prioritize environmental, recreational, historical, and cultural resource protection. We believe that hydropower is part of addressing climate change and that it can be built and operated in a manner that enables healthy ecosystems which are essential to biodiversity preservation and planetary health. As part of our efforts, LIHI advocates for renewable energy and climate change policies and practices that lead to greater value for positive environmental and social outcomes at hydropower generation facilities. As a nonprofit organization, our efforts are focused on advocacy and education, not lobbying.   

The policy director will work closely with the LIHI staff and board in a tight, team-oriented atmosphere. LIHI works to identify the best ways to achieve change, using a combination of policy advocacy, research, strategic communication, and program development. LIHI works to educate and inform policymakers, the public, and large energy purchasers, and supports those advocating for river conservation and renewable energy.

The policy director will guide the vision and strategy for LIHI’s policy efforts. This position interfaces with interested parties at the local, state, and federal level, as well as other organizations that advocate for renewable energy procurement and environmental conservation. The policy director is responsible for stewarding the policy process, from drafting LIHI’s policy agenda to formulating and implementing initiatives and monitoring and evaluating how the policy work advances LIHI’s mission.

This is a full-time position. Salary range is $75,000-120,000. Benefits include a health care stipend, retirement contributions, and five weeks of vacation time. Work is remote. Travel is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor the landscape to advance Low Impact Certified hydropower through policy initiatives
• Identify trends in renewable energy procurement
• Draft comments, meet with policymakers
• Develop, maintain strong relationships with LIHI Certificate holders, conservation organizations, policymakers, agencies and tribes, and stakeholders
• Represent LIHI in national and international collaborations
• Provide updates to the team and at LIHI board meetings
• Attend and speak at conferences and other events
• Support grant opportunities and applications

Qualifications and Skills:

• 10+ years of experience in public policy, advocacy, government, public relations, community choice aggregation, or a related field
• Expertise in renewable energy, hydropower, environmental mitigation, energy markets
• Excellent ability to develop relationships on all sides of an issue
• Ability to work independently and in teams and to inspire others to work toward common goals
• Commitment to collaboration, accuracy, transparency, and communication
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize multiple viewpoints into a coherent strategy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to travel

Send cover letter and resume or CV to Shannon Ames, Executive Director at sames@lowimpacthydro.org. Please put “Application Policy Director – [your last name]” in the subject line. Position will remain open until filled.

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.