Texas State Lead

Climate Cabinet is Moneyball for Climate. We identify under-the-radar “Moneyball” elected positions that have an outsized climate impact. Then, we help candidates for these positions run, win, and legislate. We win climate majorities and deliver bold, equitable climate solutions in key state and local governments. 

State and local policymakers are key to tackling climate change. They are responsible for achieving 75% of our Paris climate goals – and ensuring Biden’s climate investments are implemented in communities across America. Our opposition has known for decades that no amount of federal work can negate the key role of coordinated state-level political and legislative infrastructure for winning their priorities. And unfortunately, we’re outgunned.

When we win elections and help climate champions in office pass bold policy, we get big things done. We need more climate allies in seats of power. That’s why Climate Cabinet exists.

We’re hiring a Texas State Lead to build powerful climate outcomes with legislators and coalition partners in Texas. This person will establish Climate Cabinet’s presence in the legislature, and scale up our policy and political work in Texas. This will include a heavy emphasis on coalition work, legislator relationship development, and collaboration with Climate Cabinet’s national policy and political teams. 

This is a leadership position that will report to the Senior Policy Director and work in close coordination with our national legislative and political teams to ensure cross-state sharing, and alignment with both state and national goals. 

The ideal candidate will bring…

• Experience in Texas lobbying, coalition spaces, and/or Texas politics.
• An obsession with state-led climate and energy policy and politics. Expertise in at least one policy area relating to climate, energy, transportation, land use, environmental justice, agriculture, or resilience.
• A commitment to environmental justice and rapid, equitable decarbonization that makes life better for Texans. An orientation towards political power-building for the climate movement.
• A startup mindset driven by mission: Our team culture is driven by curiosity and impact. A great fit for our team will be excited to ask questions, take initiative, and continuously iterate. The ideal candidate will be a great team player, and be excited about working in a mission-driven, fully remote work environment, and building up our presence in Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• State Lead
• Establish Climate Cabinet’s presence in the Texas legislature by building strong lawmaker relationships, especially with climate champions, and through consistent lobbying, policy education, and coalition work.
• Pass and defend key climate policies.
• Work in coalition with state-based activists, organizations, and funders to advance shared priorities.
• Work with Climate Cabinet’s national policy and political teams to shape Texas strategy, share learnings + expertise across states, and communicate impact.
• Track, evaluate, and communicate the impact of Climate Cabinet’s engagement in  Texas, including through bill tracking and storytelling.
• In addition to the above responsibilities, a State Director-level candidate will:
• Drive Climate Cabinet’s Texas legislative and political agenda in collaboration with the national team.
• Drive Climate Cabinet’s Texas legislative, political, and media strategies.
• Bring robust, specific policy/legislative expertise.
• Be a spokesperson for Climate Cabinet in Texas media and to funders.

Location: Austin, TX – or elsewhere in Texas with frequent travel to Austin. This role will require some out of state travel.

Compensation

• We will consider applications for both full-time salaried employees and/or contract work.
• Salary: $85,000-$105,000 commensurate with experience. Medical, dental and vision insurance; premiums fully covered.
• Contract: Comparable payment.

You should apply! We encourage applications from people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, women, first-gen and low-income people, and members of marginalized communities. Furthermore, if you don’t meet the exact job qualifications listed but feel called to the work — please apply. There are many ways to have developed the expertise necessary to excel in this position.

Who we are: We are a dynamic, passionate startup team of experienced climate activists, organizers, campaigners, utility researchers, software engineers, policy experts, and lobbyists. Our Moneyball approach speaks for itself. For example: In 2022, Climate Cabinet’s hard-side electoral program helped climate champions win majorities in Michigan and Minnesota - unlocking bold climate leadership across the Midwest. In 2024, we’ve analyzed almost 10,000 elections – narrowing it down to the 150 with the highest impacts – and delivering critical campaign resources to help climate candidates win. 

Want to learn more? Check out our recent interview on Volts and climatecabinet.org.