Environment New Mexico is hiring an experienced advocate to protect public health and the environment by expanding to 100% renewable energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. In the age of Trump, it is more critical than ever for the states to lead on policy. The Advocate will work with Environment New Mexico’s director and our national program team as well as with our organizers, stakeholders and key coalition allies to build momentum and expand support for New Mexico’s clean, renewable energy future.

For the last ten years, Environment New Mexico has played a leading role in building a bridge of New Mexico’s renewable energy future. We have helped achieve victories for the state’s environment to clean up our air and water and transition New Mexico to a clean energy economy – and to defend against the rollbacks and climate inaction at the state and national level. With new state leadership on the horizon, this is the time for the organization to be charting the path ahead for clean energy.

Historically, our research, grassroots education and mobilization, media outreach, coalition work and decision-maker education have mobilized public support for statewide environmental initiatives. This includes winning increased mandates for clean energy through a strong Renewable Portfolio Standard that requires New Mexico to produce 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, increased fuel standards, and gaining a commitment from the Albuquerque City Council to get 25% of the City’s electricity from solar energy by 2025. Each year, we reach hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans through our online e-activist network (which is 30,000 strong), newsletters, and door-to-door canvassing campaigns.

New Mexico has faced the direct impacts of extreme weather through extreme drought, record-breaking wildfires, and increased flooding in the burned areas. But we also continue to have a robust clean energy sector and solar program that has taken off over the course of this decade, with about 2.1 gigawatt of clean energy. But we need to do more.

As a largely rural state, we know we need amplify voices from outside the major cities in order to win statewide clean energy goals. Valencia county plays an important role statewide. With a population of 76,500 and growing, it is the 6th most populous county in the state. Important state decision makers represent Valencia county, some of whom strongly support renewable energy and others who need to understand the benefits and jobs that renewable energy can bring to Valencia county and New Mexico.

The clean energy advocate will help us to reach these clean energy campaign goals:

Expand Clean Energy: New Mexico has fallen behind on our clean energy goals compared to the actions of neighboring states. The advocate will work to build public support, with focus in Valencia county, for clean, renewable energy and the jobs it provides. Policies to support this vision include expanding the renewable portfolio standard of 50% clean energy by 2030 and 80% by 2040, and supporting solar development in Valencia county. This will help New Mexico on a pathway to reach 100% clean, renewable energy future, as well as mobilize support from a diverse set of stakeholders, especially in Valencia county including mayors and city councilors, businesses, and the general public.

To win, we need to get more people engaged to press our decision-makers to outline their agenda for New Mexico’s clean energy agenda. We need to get more people, more opinion leaders, more organizations representing diverse constituencies engaged in this effort.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Campaign Coordination: Working with our staff and our campaign allies to win ongoing support for local, state and federal policies to support clean energy policies. This will include building partnerships with allies, especially in Valencia county, and being responsible for meeting our tactical campaign goals.

Coalition Building: Cultivating relationships with diverse and powerful allies in Valencia county and expanding the constituencies supporting our efforts. This will include building a coalition of more than 100 key allies and getting them actively involved in our campaign including attending events, participating in press conferences, and tapping into their networks to promote the campaign.

Media and Visibility: Getting the word out far and wide, in the media and through other channels is a critical part of our work. By elevating the issue in the public debate, we can better educate and motivate our supporters and hold decision-makers accountable. Opportunities for visibility will include releasing reports, writing and developing materials, including press releases, developing talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, in addition to social media materials and doing outreach to the media.

Grassroots Mobilization: Working with our organizers and advocates to mobilize citizens in support of our campaigns both on and offline and develop new leaders. Providing compelling information and opportunities for action to our members and general public will be a critical component of winning our clean energy campaigns.

Recruitment: Help recruit new interns and new volunteers to increase our impact and build more power.