Greener Pathways

A new report from COWS puts jobs at the heart of the national conversation on the economic promise of clean energy.

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Employment Opportunities at COWS

COWS currently has the following opportunities available.

Energy Policy Outreach Specialist - PVL 58719

The Energy Policy Outreach Specialist will work on COWS projects that link clean energy and good jobs in the new energy economy.

Marketing and Communications Director - PVL 58831

The Marketing and Communications Director will be responsible for providing leadership for planning, research, coordinating, and implementing effective marketing and communications outreach strategies designed to support the COWS's strategic priorities, especially the Center for State Innovation (CSI).

Policy Analyst/Writer, Center for State Innovation- PVL 58333

The policy analyst/writer will have responsibility for preparing briefing materials on different areas of state policy, assisting in program organization and direction, and helping in communication. -read more-

Managing Director, Center for State Innovation - PVL 57201

The Managing Director will have lead responsibility for the organizational development, program, and management of the Center for State Innovation. -read more-

Policy Director, Center for State Innovation- PVL 56868

The policy director will have lead responsibility for the research, writing and dissemination of policy briefing materials on different areas of state policy. -read more-

Energy Policy Outreach Specialist-PVL 58719

This position will primarily work on our project to link clean energy and good jobs in the new energy economy and will be involved in two facets of this project:

1. Serving as staff on "manufacturing conversion" project including research, writing and dissemination of reports on how to promote the conversion of existing manufacturing to renewable/efficient products and components; and outreach to business, labor and the environmental community to promote such conversion.
2. Serving as staff on "labor in the new energy economy" project --including reaching out to labor unions throughout the Great Lakes region to educate them on new energy options and opportunities, and to bring labor concerns and priorities to the table at broader energy and environmental forums.

Qualifications Include:

• At least three years of professional experience working with the public (at least seven to be considered senior level)
• Experience communicating and writing to diverse audiences, e.g. organized labor, community and environmental groups, public and private sector
• The ability to work independently and travel throughout the Great Lakes region.

Preference will be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated professional experience working in manufacturing or industrial extension, supply chains, and/or in industrial relations or manufacturing conversion.
• Familiarity with local, state and national energy and environmental policy and issues.
• Demonstrated professional experience working with or for labor unions.

Marketing and Communications Director - PVL 58831

The Marketing and Communications Director will be responsible for providing leadership for planning, research, coordinating, and implementing effective marketing and communications outreach strategies designed to support the COWS's strategic priorities, especially the Center for State Innovation (CSI).

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Managing all aspects of COWS communications and marketing including publications, and advertising, website development and maintenance, branding, and media/government/public relations. Conduct market research and analysis and generate ideas. Writing, editing, designing, and coordinating the production of printed and electronic communications for internal and external audiences.
  
• Working in close partnership with the staff of State Governors and national and state based advocacy groups for CSI in researching, creating and maintaining an effective e-based communication strategy to share and direct policy advice. Expanding this methodology to other projects undertaken by COWS.
• Serving as COWS point person for all media relations. Working with faculty, staff, and students to identify and publicize high-impact, newsworthy activities. Researching and establishing best practices and procedures for interacting with the media and provide training to staff in these practices.
• Serving as the COWS/CSI point person for contacts with government officials, especially State Governors as part of CSI, advocacy organizations and community groups. Researching and developing a systematic approach to engage and educate these organizations on the impact of COWS research, education, and service activities.
• Leading COWS marketing and communications strategic planning activities and policy development, engaging all important constituencies. Incorporating routine assessment of impact and performance.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree required. Master's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing or Public Relations or related advanced study program preferred.
• At least five years of communications and marketing experience working in a management capacity with community, public, private and/or non-profit sectors including state and city governments and grant-making institutions.
• Strong demonstrated writing, speaking and research skills.
• Proven ability to work with, speak to, and organize a diverse audience.
• A track record working with the media.
• Significant experience with online communications such as web, blog, streaming media, online newsletters, etc.
• A successful candidate will be able to work independently and handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of major state policy concerns (e.g., public safety, education, health, infrastructure and environment, election regulation) desirable.

Managing Director, Center for State Innovation - 57021

The Managing Director will have lead responsibility for organizational development, program, and management, including: developing organizational structures and policies and procedures; developing the full range of State Innovation’s services and products; representing State Innovation to outside audiences; building a wide range of partnerships with executive administration staff and policy and technical assistance providers; supervising in-house and field staff and consultancies; identifying new program opportunities; and enlarging and diversifying revenue streams.

Qualifications:

• Extremely strong management and organization-building skills
• At least five years of state-level policy experience, such as legislative staff, agency, non-profit advocacy, and political campaigns; local and federal policy, campaign, or advocacy experience would also be beneficial
• Three to five years executive level experience managing staff in a medium or large non-profit
• Significant knowledge of current state innovations in economic and workforce development, smart growth, public safety, and public finance
• Demonstrated ability to bridge policy expertise and practical application
• Ability to communicate successfully with internal and external audiences, with excellent oral and written skills
• Experience with web-supported communication tools
• Excellent organizational, administrative and financial management skills
• Experience building a non-profit organization including the ability to work independently and to think strategically, creatively and tactically
• Experience managing staff and projects remotely
• Experience fundraising and managing relationships with foundations and individual donors.
• Significant experience managing multiple agendas and stakeholder relationships
• JD, MBA, MPA or equivalent experience

Policy Director, Center for State Innovation - PVL 56868

The policy director will have lead responsibility for the research, writing and dissemination of policy briefing materials on different areas of state policy. This will include directing the policy analyst/writers both in-house and in the field; developing organizational structures; researching and developing a policy production strategy; and, researching and writing their own policy materials. It will also include building and maintaining relationships with external policy experts, organizations and think tanks in order to utilize their expertise and policy knowledge to the benefit of state governments. 

Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of experience in public policy.
• Knowledge of current state innovations in economic and workforce development, smart growth, public safety, environment, and/or public finance is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with national, regional and state based organizations that develop public policy is preferred.
• Experience managing professional staff in a fast paced environment.
• Exceptional research and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge policy expertise and practical application.
• A high degree of organizational skills and attention to detail is required.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters degree preferred.

Policy Analyst/Writer, Center for State Innovation- PVL 58333

The policy analyst/writer will have responsibility for preparing briefing materials on different areas of state policy, assisting in program organization and direction, and helping in communication. The work will be highly collaborative and include working with COWS staff as well as colleagues at other institutions. Primary responsibilities will include:

Public Policy Content

• Conducting stand-alone research and policy analysis.
• Writing summary papers for different areas of policy.
• Contributing to website content.
• Supporting coordination of external policy papers.
• General editing as needed.

Policy Events

• Supporting development of policy events and external relationships.
• Preparing briefing materials for meetings.
• Assisting in event management and evaluation.
• General program support as needed.

Qualifications:

• Three to five years experience researching, writing and editing policy briefs and reports.
• Experience with state-level policy formation or advocacy, such as legislative staff, agency, non-profit advocacy, and political campaigns.
• Solid knowledge in a few key areas of state policy (e.g., public safety, education, infrastructure, environment, health, campaigns and elections)
• Exceptional writing, editing and speaking skills.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to handle multiple, time-sensitive work assignments.
• Good familiarity with current web-supported communication tools.
• Ability to work with diverse groups people of people in a team setting.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.

The policy analyst/writers will be headquartered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.