Outreach Specialist, Center for Science & Democracy

Are you a community organizer who wants to help build a movement to promote the role of science in government decision making on public health, environmental, and public safety issues? The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is seeking an outreach specialist to help us build infrastructure that will make federal government science and scientists more resilient to political pressure.

The Trump administration and Congress bring unique challenges to the development and use of independent science in policymaking. UCS has years of experience exposing political interference in science and holding policymakers accountable for attacking scientists and undermining scientific integrity. This new position will be housed in the Center for Science and Democracy at UCS, which works to ensure that public policies are informed by science and evidence.

Responsibilities

• Organizing a coalition of civil society organizations, science and clinical advocacy groups, journalism societies, and emerging grassroots efforts to promote the role of science in policymaking.
• Developing and promote resources for defending science from political interference and protecting federal government researchers.
• Representing UCS and the coalition in other efforts to promote democracy.
• Documenting how science is used and misused across public health, environmental, and public safety issues, with a special focus on underserved and overburdened communities.
• Supporting work to organize scientists to push back on anti-science actions.

Qualifications and experience

A bachelor’s degree is preferred as well as demonstrated experience with community organizing and outreach and event coordination. Competitive applicants will have familiarity with and ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of allies and potential allies in public health, environmental justice, science, and journalism. Strong written and oral communications skills are necessary. Three to five years of comparable and relevant experience is required. Most of all, applicants should possess an independent, creative spirit and an interest in science-based policymaking.

The position requires approximately ten days of overnight travel annually. May require extended periods at a computer. Regular office hours may include occasional (but not at all regular) nights and weekends.

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

UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. We are actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work.

Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time, 18 month temporary position (with the possibility of extension) based in UCS’s Washington, DC office. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is around $47,500 annually. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, salary requirements, two non-academic writing samples, and how you learned about the position via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Center Outreach Specialist” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: May 14, 2017 or until filled.