Outreach Specialist – Washington, D.C.

Organization: Union of Concerned Scientists

Position Title: Outreach Specialist

Location: Washington, D.C.

Hours & Compensation: Full-time. Salary around $40,000 for candidates who meet all position requirements.

Application Deadline: June 21, 2013.

Posted On: May 31, 2013.

Organization Overview:

The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.

What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 400,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students. Our members understand that scientific analysis—not political calculations or corporate hype—should guide our efforts to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

Our experts work on some of the most complex and daunting problems in our history: stemming the tide of global warming, finding sustainable ways to feed, power and transport ourselves, and reducing the threat of catastrophic war. Our achievements over the decades show that thoughtful action based on the best available science can help safeguard our future and the future of our planet.

Description:

Under the supervision of the Climate Campaign Manager, the Outreach Specialist will participate in key work under the climate campaign, especially developing and implementing outreach and legislative activities aimed at communicating resonant climate impacts at the federal, regional and state levels. The Outreach Specialist will engage UCS activists, experts, and coalition partners to achieve policy and public education goals, and will oversee national climate online organizing initiatives, such as action alerts to UCS activists. S/he will also coordinate with external coalitions, and oversee the work of external consultants affiliated with UCS.

Responsibilities:

Raise awareness of climate science and impacts – and leverage these educational efforts to achieve departmental campaign objectives.

• This includes increasing presence and viability of UCS on the ground in key regions or states, and building relationships with key activists, academics, and local government officials.
• Work with other outreach staff to ensure dissemination of existing and upcoming climate science and impacts analyses to key constituency groups and decision makers.
• Educate and activate UCS members, experts, and activists on climate science, impacts, preparedness, and policy issues, including developing online engagement activities and recruiting new activists and experts.
• Work with UCS communications team to develop media and online communications strategies that bolster outreach efforts. Help craft appropriate media materials, web pages and special features, and other communications activities. Coordinate outreach and advocacy plans with other involved departments. Consult with staff scientists and analysts to ensure UCS materials are in keeping with UCS’s high standards of scientific credibility.

Help achieve UCS’s climate campaign goals and strategies by developing and implementing strategies for influencing the issue public as well as key legislators, agency officials, and the White House.

• Assist UCS legislative staff in conceiving, developing, and implementing outreach plans to advance legislative and regulatory climate initiatives.
• Engage UCS activists, experts, and other interested individuals in constituent advocacy at the state and/or federal level. Organize advocacy and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. or in-district through education/lobby days, where representatives of key constituency groups and individuals meet with devision makers to present the case for climate policy solutions.
• Assist UCS legislative staff in advocacy activities such as meeting with agency personnel, White House officials, and Congressional staff. Cultivate relationships with appropriate administration staff. Stay abreast of key relevant policy information and advocate for UCS provisions to key congressional offices and the administration as appropriate.
• Represent UCS at legislative and grassroots strategy sessions of coalitions of national organizations that are pursuing similar goals as needed and in public forums. This includes providing strategic guidance consistent with UCS goals and strategies, and public speaking at events or hearings.
• Coordinate outreach and advocacy plans with other involved parts of C&E department as well as with other UCS departments.

Maintain competency in issue areas and outreach expertise.

Recruit, hire, and supervise consultants and volunteers, including interns and temporary help.

Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Solid level of understanding of outreach, online organizing tools, and Microsoft Office is required.
• Strong organizational and writing skills and the ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Two to four years of relevant experience in an outreach, organizing, or campaign position, preferably in a non-profit environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with professionals who may be expert and/or prominent in their fields.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, salary requirements, how you learned about the position and resume via email to [email protected] and include “Outreach Specialist” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: June 21st until filled.

Contact Information:

Union of Concerned Scientists, http://www.ucsusa.org

1825 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Job URL: http://www.ucsusa.org/about/jobs-at-ucs.html#OutreachSpecialist