Energy Policy Analyst and Advocate

Position Description
The Center for Rural Affairs of Lyons, NE is seeking an energy policy analyst and advocate to work on renewable energy, especially wind energy and clean energy transmission.

The position will address the rural development potential of wind energy in the Midwest and Great Plains and state, regional and federal policy initiatives needed to unlock the full development potential, and build wealth in local communities through quality jobs, fair and equitable payments for landowners and local ownership models.

Responsibilities will be focused on analyzing current policy, especially around clean energy transmission, developing options for policymakers and developers that maximize community benefit of clean energy development and working with community members, landowners and rural leaders to advance state, regional and federal policy.

Working at the Center for Rural Affairs offers the opportunity to work in support of our highest values – fairness, responsibility, genuine opportunity for all, stewardship of land and water and widespread ownership and control of farms and businesses - while living in a rural community.

Qualifications
Commitment to creating opportunity in rural America
Interest or experience in policy analysis and policy development
Interest or experience in policy advocacy
Outstanding oral and written communication skills
Ability to work with staff teams, coalitions and grassroots supporters
Ability to organize and carry out work plans independently and cooperatively
Willingness to travel throughout the region, and sometimes nationally
Good public speaking skills and a demonstrated ability to connect to a broad range of audiences

Terms of Employment: Salary of $38,022 with annual cost of living increases plus periodic increases for length of employment. Excellent employer paid benefit package including family medical and dental insurance plus contribution to a Health Savings Account, starting with 13 days of paid vacation per year plus sick leave, 10 holidays, and retirement plan contributions after two years of employment.

Application Procedures: Send your application to Trish Darnell at trishd@cfra.org including your resume, five references, two short writing samples and a cover letter responding to the following questions:

Why are you interested in this position and how does it fit into your long-term plans?
What are the critical issues facing rural America today?
How do you see renewable energy playing a role in addressing these challenges?
What are your key strengths? What are your greatest accomplishments?
Are there any conditions you have for accepting this position, including but not limited to conditions related to relocation, salary or travel?
How did you hear about this position?

Please apply by January 12, 2011. After that, we will continue to review applications if needed, but please email trishd@cfra.org to determine whether the position is still open before submitting an application after that. For additional questions about the position, email briand@cfra.org.

This position will be located at our home office in Lyons, Nebraska. Exceptions may be considered for highly qualified candidates living elsewhere in the Upper Midwest and Great Plains. The Center for Rural Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status or veteran status.

About the Center for Rural Affairs

The Center for Rural Affairs was formed in 1973 by rural Nebraskans concerned about family farms and rural communities. The Center evolved into one of the nation's leading rural organizations known for its pioneering work to rebuild rural communities and reform public policy. Today, we work across all of rural America to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.

The Center has a $2.8 million annual budget, a $5 million endowment and near 30,000 supporters nationwide. We raise annual operating funds from individuals, government grants and foundations. Our work is routinely covered in the national and regional media, including the New York Times, National Public Radio, Christian Science Monitor and many others.

In its policy advocacy, the Center works to create opportunity for rural small businesses, family farms and ranches and rural communities, with a commitment to environmental stewardship and social justice.

In our direct service work, we have provided business development services to nearly 5,000 small businesses, assisted the formation of over a dozen cooperatives and worked with nearly 20 communities in participatory rural development.

Our work is guided by a board of 20 Nebraskans and our values. We value:

The responsibility placed on each of us to contribute to the betterment of our community and society
Conscience that balances self-interest with an obligation to the common good and future generations
Progress that strengthens rural communities, small businesses and family farms and ranches
Genuine opportunity for all to earn a living, raise a family and prosper in a rural place
Stewardship of the natural environment on which current and future generations rely
Widespread ownership and control of small businesses, farms and ranches by those who work them
Fairness that allows all who contribute to the nation's prosperity to share in it
Citizen involvement and action to shape the future
We reflect these values in our projects and initiatives as well as in the way we treat each other within the organization. We provide our staff the extraordinary opportunity to devote their professional lives to working for the things they believe in – in common purpose with people of like mind.

Mission Statement: Establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship and genuine opportunity for all while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and future of their communities.

Organizational Vision: The leading force engaging people and ideas in securing a better future for rural America.

To learn more about the Center for Rural Affairs visit us online at http://www.cfra.org.