Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country.  We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.  We partner with thousands of groups and supporters to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change.  We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections.  We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment.  Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.

Climate change is the challenge of our time and Earthjustice is leading the charge against climate change in court: the single most effective avenue in the age of Trump. That’s why we are looking for a smart, passionate, experienced communications for our climate and energy program.

The Climate and Energy Communications Strategist develops strategic communications plans for Earthjustice’s climate and energy marquee issues, builds key narratives and develops messages for these issues, ensures messaging consistency, and forms and leads teams of Communications colleagues to implement communications plan components —including dynamic storytelling and media and public outreach. The Communications Strategist provides strategic guidance to the Climate and Energy Press Secretary and along with the Press Secretary will be engaged in the full range of communications tactics – such as earned media goals, drafting press materials, pitching reporters, and contributing content to our website, blog and quarterly magazine and cultivating the partnerships we need to support program communications goals. She/he will work in coordination with coalitions and may work to help strengthen and develop them. *The position will preferably be located in Washington, DC or San Francisco, but we are open to housing the role in New York as well.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy & Coordination (50%)

• Works with the Climate and Energy Vice President of Litigation and key program and policy staff to oversee and implement the strategic communications on the Earthjustice Climate and Energy team’s top tier priorities, its ‘marquee issues.’
• Works with regional communications strategists, partners and clients in developing coalition strategy and advocacy tactics including traditional and social media efforts. Manages the Climate and Energy Press Secretary to ensure coverage of Earthjustice work in target print, television, radio and online media; maintains knowledge of reporters covering a particular issue and coordinates press events and other earned media opportunities.
• Coordinates public outreach with other non-profit, public health and community groups as needed; identifies potential partnerships with other local and national organizations.
• Looks for new opportunities to reach out to the public to generate awareness of Earthjustice and support for our programmatic goals; Works to build profile of Earthjustice among key brand target audiences.
• Uses market research/polls and contracts or conducts focus groups/quantitative studies to help determine message strategies and to target optimal audiences efficiently for program outreach.

Content Creation and Branding (25%)

• Drives storytelling projects involving our clients and affected communities and consistently seeks out new and compelling ways to tell and amplify these stories.
• Drafts content for the Earthjustice blog, website and print materials. Develops internal message guidance for colleagues. Reviews, edits, and approves content and materials developed by the Press Secretary and Communications team members to ensure it adheres to brand standards and furthers strategic communications goals for the climate and energy program.
• Maintains close fidelity to organizational branding requirements and serves as an advisor to colleagues throughout the Communications department and organization on ensuring messages are on-brand and further institutional goals.

Management & Administration (25%)

• Manages staff and contractors, including the Climate and Energy Press Secretary.
• Helps create special projects, determining project management roles, budget, tracking, measurements of success, and reporting.
• Develops strategy documents, timelines, manages budgets, and oversees tracking of communications plans and tactics to determine effectiveness, ensure accountability, and inform future strategy. Sets achievable measurements of success for top priority issues and strives to meet these goals.
• Participates in organizational trainings and professional development opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public policy, campaigns, communications, or environmental fields required. Master’s degree desirable but not necessary.
• Strong background in strategic communications, media or campaigning.
• 8+ years in nonprofit project management, with an emphasis in nonprofit/advocacy and communications. Experience setting strategy, managing projects, writing and producing content, and coordinating team participation in managing and executing projects.
• Excellent strategic sense and an ability to set goals and priorities, managing limited resources for maximum impact.
• Experience working on climate and energy issues.
• Media savvy with great depth of experience in successfully placing stories, opinion pieces, and narratives, with a history of influencing conversations unfolding in the media.
• Thinks of and develops creative new ways to mobilize supporters for strategic impact.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated experience in public speaking.
• Strong interpersonal skills to lead teams and coordinate projects across coalitions.
• Outstanding organizational skills with demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate a variety of detailed outreach projects, sometimes under a very tight deadline.
• Ability to lead staff and vendors in a team environment and exhibit strong team building/participation skills.
• Experience working in coordination with other nonprofit groups and local businesses also a plus.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Using the Jobvite application tool, please submit:

• Resume.
• One- or two-page cover letter that addresses at least the following subjects: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrate competence to work with diverse clients and colleagues.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.