Climate Justice Policy Fellow

The Community Climate Collaborative is hiring a Climate Justice Policy Fellow in Charlottesville, VA, to focus on climate policy analysis, advocacy, and community engagement. The role involves data collection, report writing, and developing communication materials. Candidates should be data-driven, collaborative, and passionate about equitable climate solutions. C3 is committed to inclusivity and encourages diverse applicants to apply, emphasizing skills gained through experience.
C3 is seeking an individual with a strong interest in climate policy, with a passion for helping implement equitable solutions at the local level. This position will focus on policy analysis, advocacy and engagement, and developing strategies for sustainable local energy and transportation.

The ideal candidate should be data-driven, solutions-oriented, and understand the value of a concise, actionable, well-designed deliverable. This person should also be comfortable thinking creatively and collaboratively, and helping to engage and mobilize the community. The Climate Justice Policy Fellow will assist in: data collection, policy analysis, report writing, and developing communications materials. At times, the role will include in-person community engagement and advocacy efforts.

About the Community Climate Collaborative (C3)

The Community Climate Collaborative (C3) is a nonprofit organization serving Albemarle County, Charlottesville, and Richmond, VA. Our mission is to make carbon-neutral communities a reality. We work hand-in-hand with local governments, businesses, and residents to mitigate climate change in ways that improve daily life. Through technical expertise, policy leadership, and strategic communications, we help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transform local systems, and grow a strong, inclusive climate movement. Learn more at theclimatecollaborative.org.

Inclusivity Statement

At C3, we are committed to fairness, equity, and eliminating systemic barriers in our hiring process. We value skills gained through professional experience as much as formal education. If your experience aligns with the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply—even if you do not meet every listed qualification.

C3 is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law. We strive to provide accommodations to ensure all individuals can perform essential job functions.

Key Responsibilities

● Assess local climate policy options using both quantitative and qualitative research methods and deliver policy briefings/reports.

● Support community engagement, education, and advocacy efforts, particularly related to equitable decarbonization and local energy and transportation systems.

● Contribute to communications for local climate policy issues, such as blog posts and social media content.

● Assist with other miscellaneous program tasks.

Qualifications Required

● Proficiency with MS-Suite and G-Suite;

● Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills;

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, interact with diverse audiences, and share knowledge and information effectively;

● Self-motivated, with good organizational skills, and detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines;

● Demonstrated ability to finish projects and deliver on commitments.

Preferred:

● Experience researching equitable decarbonization strategies, particularly for local energy systems.

● Experience with and passion for climate/environmental/social justice and equity.

● Experience developing polished, concise reports with graphical elements.

● Professional proficiency in Spanish (desirable, but not required).

● Knowledge of GIS and/or statistical software (desirable, but not required).

Conditions

● Application Deadline: 4/17/2026

● Starting date: As soon as possible

● End date: 6 months from start. Extension may be available, dependent on funding.

● Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA area

• Hybrid, with some in-person work required

● C3 does not sponsor work visas at this time.

Compensation & Benefits

● Hourly pay is $20-$25 per hour, commensurate with experience.

● Minimum of 20 hours per week, up to 25 hours per week depending on workload.

● This position is a contract position and does not include medical or other fringe benefits.

● Travel costs outside of the home office service area will be compensated.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to info@theclimatecollaborative.org with “Climate Justice Policy Fellow - Application” as the subject line.