Outreach Coordinator (Temporary) Climate & Energy Program

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Outreach Coordinator (Temporary)
Climate & Energy Program
Washington, DC or Cambridge, MA Office

The Outreach Coordinator will work with a multi-disciplinary program team to advance the goals of the new Climate Impacts Strategy by coordinating and implementing a variety of climate impacts-related outreach and capacity-building activities aimed at changing the national conversation on this issue.  Activities may take place at the federal, regional, state, and/or local levels.  Priorities include: (a) actively participating in and sometimes leading priority impacts-related projects in both the climate and the energy campaigns; (b) engaging and deploying key stakeholders who might influence UCS priority targets, most especially along the east coast and the inter-mountain West; and (c) engaging UCS activists, experts, and coalition partners to achieve policy and public education goals. 

This is a time-limited, two-year position.

Responsibilities

Help achieve UCS's climate impacts agenda by developing and implementing strategies that engage and influence the issue public, opinion leaders, decision makers, and elected officials at the local, state, and national levels.

• Conceive, develop, and implement outreach plans to influence key opinion leaders to speak out on 1) local climate change impacts; 2) the importance of action to reduce carbon emissions, and; 3) the need to prepare for climate changes, such as building resilient energy systems or strengthening community infrastructure.
• Engage UCS activists, experts, local officials, and other opinion leaders in climate communications and/or constituent advocacy at the local, state or federal level.
• Organize skills-building training programs, convenings, and workshops to highlight local climate impacts.  
• Participate in planning and strategy-setting for UCS climate and energy goals.
• Identify and raise the profile of communities taking action to prepare for climate changes already underway and/or future climate changes

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

• Work with UCS communications team to develop media and online communications strategies  
• Help craft appropriate media materials, web pages and special features, and other communications activities. Coordinate outreach and advocacy plans with other involved departments.
• Deploy UCS science and/or activist networks as appropriate to achieve educational and communication goals.
• Lead the development and launch of new outreach initiatives that contribute to the success of the climate impacts strategy, as needed and approved.

Devise and implement strategies to expand, engage, and mobilize members of the UCS science network.

• Identify and deploy expert scientists, engineers, health professionals, emergency preparedness specialists, and others. As needed, oversee skills-building seminars to help these experts become more effective messengers.
• Educate and activate existing UCS members and activists on climate and clean energy science, analysis, and policy issues.

Maintain competency in issue areas and outreach expertise.  Maintain and update working knowledge of climate science, energy and technological advances, and policy issues.

Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS; consider impact of activities on organization reputation and credentials in public and private sectors; direct energies whenever possible to promote UCS, advance organization objectives, substantiate credibility and enhance funding opportunities.

Contribute to overall effective functioning of Climate and Energy Program and UCS. Participate in program and project meetings, cross-organizational meetings, and special organizational efforts. Contribute to foundation proposals and reports. Track effectiveness of outreach activities/projects. In coordination with other C&E staff, communicate program messages and materials to the public by ensuring that web pages are drafted and posted and that questions from the public and UCS members are responded to. Engage in other tasks as may be needed.

 

Qualifications and experience

Applicants should:

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Be able to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, be a self-starter, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team;
• Possess strong communication and public speaking skills;
• Be able to communicate effectively with professionals who may be expert and/or prominent in their fields; and
• Be proficient with spreadsheets, word processing, graphics software, online research, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Three to five years of related experience in an outreach, organizing, or campaign position is required, preferably in a non-profit environment. Demonstrated capability to manage multiple projects for extended periods of time, and to be flexible in response to fast-changing campaign conditions. Experience with campaign planning and strategy development is required, as is a solid level of understanding of database maintenance, on-line organizing tools, and Microsoft Office. Background in climate, energy, or environmental sciences is required; knowledge of climate impacts is strongly preferred. Conference set up and on-site ‘advance work’ experience highly desirable. Up to six months needed to become familiar with the project and position responsibilities.

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a time-limited, two-year position based in UCS’s Washington, DC (preferred) or Cambridge, MA office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the annual salary is in the $50,000 range. UCS offers excellent benefits and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, including  how you learned about the position, and resume via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Outreach Coordinator” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please.Deadline: February 8, 2013 or until filled.