Midwest Outreach Coordinator
Climate & Energy Program
Chicago, IL Office
The Position
Under the direction of the Midwest Office Director and with consultation from the Energy and Climate Campaign Managers, the Midwest Outreach Coordinator will work primarily within UCS’s Climate and Energy program to conceive, coordinate, and implement outreach and capacity-building activities in the Midwest in support of the department’s strategic campaigns.
Responsibilities
- Conceive, develop, and implement outreach plans to advance state, regional, and federal legislative and regulatory climate and energy initiatives, including strong promotion of major UCS analytic and communications products.
- Represent UCS at conferences and other events in the Midwest to increase UCS’s presence and attract new supporters and members.
- Represent UCS in state, regional and national coalitions and assist in developing coalition strategy and outreach efforts.
- Work with the Midwest Office Director to hire state-level organizers and/or interns as-needed, oversee their activities, and ensure campaign goals are achieved.
- Work with UCS communications and media staff to develop state and regional media strategies that bolster outreach efforts; help craft appropriate media materials and messages; maintain relationships with members of the press in key media markets; and ensure coverage of UCS’s Midwest work on the web and in UCS publications. Work with UCS media staff and experts to draft and place letters-to-the-editor and op-eds. Promote opportunities for positive reporting on UCS's activities, positions, and experts.
- Plan events, including, UCS receptions, media and other trainings for UCS supporters, webinars and briefings for target constituencies, decision makers and the media.
- Maintain and update Midwest-related databases, documents and other resources.
Advocacy Responsibilities Working with Midwest Office Director, develop policy advocacy and outreach strategies, and participate in federal/regional/state and agency advocacy efforts (e.g. prepare written material, help create and disseminate reports, deliver media clips and position letters, coordinate legislative meetings/briefings).
Grassroots, Grasstops, & Constituency Building Responsibilities
Educate, support, and engage UCS supporters and grasstops experts in state and federal climate and energy campaign efforts, especially those individuals who are able to access and influence key decision-makers. Educate and engage additional stakeholders as needed to advance specific campaign objectives, such as the agricultural community, clean energy industry, business sector, faith community, etc. Coordinate UCS activities in the region to increase awareness of the UCS science brand, including helping to expand UCS’s science network.
Responsibilities to Coordinate UCS Midwest Activities
Coordinate Midwest advocacy and campaign work across projects and programs conducted by UCS staff, consultants, interns, and external partners doing work on behalf of UCS. Provide appropriate UCS staff with timely information and regular updates on state and regional policy issues and political developments. Work with national UCS staff to ensure state/regional/federal coordination.
Qualifications and experience
- Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree.
- Demonstrated ability to conceive, develop, and implement strategic campaign plans is required.
- Education/experience in climate change and energy is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and to collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong communication and public speaking skills required; demonstrated media experience is preferred.
- Ability to maintain moderate travel schedule.
- Solid level of understanding of database maintenance, on-line organizing tools, and Microsoft Office is required.
- 3-5 years of comparable and relevant experience in outreach and/or organizing, preferably in a non-profit environment.
- Current or recent experience in the Midwest is preferred.
At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time position based in UCS’s Chicago, IL office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is in the low to mid $50,000s. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, salary requirements, how you learned about the position and 1-3 page writing sample via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Midwest Outreach Coordinator” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: June 8, 2014 or until filled.
