Assistant, Federal Policy

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.

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

Here at Ceres, we value integrity, equity, belonging, compassion, and respect. We demonstrate those values through how we communicate and collaborate with our colleagues and external partners; and embody them in our decision making and advocacy efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.

About the Federal Policy Team

Ceres’ Federal Policy Team works with the private sector members of the Ceres Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) Network and a broader coalition of companies and investors to make the business case and build support for ambitious federal climate, clean energy, and clean transportation policies and regulations. We strategically mobilize our bench of private sector advocates to engage and educate members of the U.S. Congress and administration to support smart policies that will tackle the climate crisis and seize the economic opportunities of an America-led clean energy future.

About You

You combine strong organizational and administrative capabilities with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong initiative, and attention to detail. You are passionate about climate, energy, and transportation policy and are dedicated to advocating for strong and effective federal policies for a just and sustainable future.

About the Role

The Assistant, Federal Policy supports the Senior Director, Federal Policy, and the Federal Policy team. We seek an organized self-starter to play a critical administrative and programmatic support role, both internally and externally. This full-time, position reports to the Senior Director, Federal Policy. The role is hybrid with in-person events and meetings in the Washington, DC area approximately 3-5 times per month.

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior Director, Federal Policy, and project leads.
• Support coordination, logistics, and management of team events and retreats, working closely with the Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior Director, Federal Policy; and
• Process Senior 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 (1) year of relevant, full-time work experience preferred. Previous 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.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring salary is $45,000 – $53,500 with competitive benefits (Pay Grade 11). Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 80%, 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 85% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for 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 week-long summer and winter breaks, 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 review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org. Please submit a resume and cover letter through our online application. Professional references may be requested during the selection process. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as Ceres is unable to sponsor work visas for this position.