Issues Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Earthjustice is the nation's leading environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We are here because the Earth needs a good lawyer.

Driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership, and excellence, our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected.

In addition to a talented cadre of environmental lawyers and legislative advocates, Earthjustice has an amazing Communications department that works in partnership with every other department at the organization. The Public Affairs Campaign Strategist works closely with the Director of Public Affairs Campaigns, VP of Public Affairs and Communications and other litigation, lobbying, and communications staff in the design, development, and implementation of communications campaigns to drive advocacy outcomes.

This position will do day-to-day management and implementation of long-term advocacy campaigns, develop key narratives and messaging in support of policy issues, conduct relevant research, identify and target key decision makers and stakeholders, engage and organize partners, and coordinate cross-team efforts on advocacy, storytelling, media and public outreach, and government relations.

The Public Affairs Campaign Strategist is expected to work a full-time (37.5 hours/week) schedule and may work hybrid from the following locations: Washington, D.C. (preferred) or remotely within the US.

• Partner with key program and communications staff in the design, planning, alignment, and execution of a select number of long-term advocacy communications campaigns, including identifying stakeholder engagement, policy goals, communications strategies, and incorporation of litigation. Work collaboratively across teams to build and/or execute integrated strategies that support institutional and departmental priorities.
• Use a data-informed approach, including market research/polling/focus groups, to set measurable advocacy goals, key messaging, target audiences, and innovative communications strategies. Adopt a flexible approach to meeting rapid response moments and pivot strategies where needed.
• Based on strategy set by Director and VP of Public Affairs, coordinates with partners, clients, and coalitions on joint advocacy campaigns, issue education, engagement and mobilization, and paid, owned, and earned media. May externally represent the organization in the movement.
• Create digital advocacy tactics to achieve campaign advocacy goals.
• Media and Coalition-Building (30%)
  • Create and implement earned media, social and digital strategies.
  • Works with traditional and new media to ensure coverage of Earthjustice; maintains knowledge of and relationships with reporters covering key issues; and coordinates press events and other earned media opportunities.
  • Engage partners and stakeholders to popularize policy goals with the public; influence decision-makers using owned, earned, and paid channels to achieve advocacy outcomes.
  • Coordinate with campaign coalitions with external groups around long-term advocacy campaigns.
  • Implement coalition strategies for issue advocacy, public outreach, media and government relations. Identify potential partnerships with other local and national organizations and community groups to amplify key issues.
• Content Creation & Branding (25%)
  • Build Earthjustice’s external presence on key issues and develop internal message guidance. Partner with marketing, fundraising, and content staff in Communications and Development on major marketing and fundraising initiatives.
  • Drive storytelling and advocacy projects; partner with content production and promotion teams to develop compelling, creative content strategies that advance our advocacy, marketing and fundraising goals.
  • Draft content for Earthjustice’s digital and print mediums. Review, edit, and approve content developed by Communications and Development staff to ensure tonal and message consistency. Produce accurate, quality, and timely work in an ever-shifting landscape of news, technology, politics, and law.
• Administrative Tasks (15%)
  • Manage contracts, invoices an day-to-day work of vendors and consultants.
  • Develops strategy documents and timelines, manages budgets, and tracks metrics to determine effectiveness, ensure accountability, and inform future strategy.
  • Responsible for creating and managing project management tools and work plans.
  • Other administrative tasks as needed.
• Actively pursue professional development and contribute to a culture of learning by building skills and sharing knowledge. Maintain an ongoing understanding of innovative, best-in-class communications best practices and movement trends to ensure Earthjustice leads, not just follows.

Please note that the percentage breakdowns provided above serve as a guideline and that other duties may be assigned as part of the job’s requirements.

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit/advocacy communications, including setting strategy, managing advocacy campaigns, writing and producing content, and conducting media outreach.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in relevant fields, such as journalism, political science, communications, environmental studies, public policy desired, but not required.
• Direct experience implementing advocacy campaigns at the state or federal level.
• Experience doing digital advocacy is a plus.
• Proven experience with successfully placing media stories, opinion pieces, and narratives that influence policy conversations.
• Outstanding project management and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize, plan and coordinate a variety of detailed outreach projects, sometimes under very tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners from diverse cultures and backgrounds; strong interpersonal skills to lead teams and coordinate projects across coalitions to meet shared goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Ability to translate complex issues into compelling, accessible communications.
• Demonstrated commitment to Earthjustice’s values of Justice, Excellence, Inclusion, and Partnership.

This role may require the ability to:

• Sit for extended periods with occasional standing and walking
• Type, file, and/or handle office equipment
• Lift and carry materials
• Read documents, conduct computer work and document review
• Conduct consultations, meetings, court proceedings, and have telephone communications

We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits .We also offer a casual and congenial work environment.

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by working location and are commensurate with the experience required.

Salaries in other locations will vary:

Salary range in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY: $123,800 - $137,500
Salary range in Chicago, IL, Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA: $117,600 - $130,700
Salary range in Denver, CO and Philadelphia, PA : $111,400 - $123,800
Salary range in Miami, FL, Bozeman, MT, and New Orleans, LA: $105,200 - $116,900
Other remote locations: $105,200 - $130,700

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for personnel so classified.

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.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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 ...