Associate Director of Public Affairs & Communications for Policy & Legislation

Program Communications Washington, District Of Columbia

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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 Associate Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Policy & Legislation leads strategic communications for Earthjustice’s policy and legislation work on Capitol Hill, state legislatures, and other political spheres. This position develops key narratives and messaging in support of policy issues, identifies and targets key decision makers and stakeholders, and leads cross-team efforts on advocacy, storytelling, media and public outreach, and government relations. The Associate Director will also advise and coordinate strategic communications for Earthjustice Action (Earthjustice’s 501(c)(4) advocacy partner).
 
This is a supervisory position that manages the work of other staff and contractors.
 
The Associate Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Policy & Legislation is expected to work a full-time (37.5 hours/week) schedule. Preference will be given to candidates willing to work hybrid from our Washington, DC office (2x weekly), remote candidates within the United States may be considered.
 
WHAT YOU’LL DO 
  • Strategy & Leadership (30%) 
    • Lead strategic communications planning, alignment, and execution for the Policy & Legislation team in partnership with key program and communications staff, lobbyists, managing attorneys, directors, and vice presidents. Work collaboratively across teams to build and/or execute integrated strategies that support institutional and departmental priorities. Externally represent the organization as a communications leader in the movement.
    •  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.
    • Partner with the Director of Earthjustice Action, Earthjustice’s 501(c)(4) advocacy partner, to design and implement strategic communications to advance Earthjustice Action’s programmatic priorities.  Coordinate with staff and vendors to craft and launch congressionally focused advertising campaigns to raise awareness and promote action on priority issues.
  • Media and Coalition-Building (20%) 
    • Coordinate with other program hubs to generate press coverage of priority issues in target media. Engage partners and stakeholders to popularize policy goals with the public; influence decision-makers using owned, earned, and paid channels to achieve advocacy outcomes. 
    • Manage internal staff, partners, and clients in developing 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 (20%) 
    • Build thought leadership profile of Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action among key brand target audiences on key issues and develop internal message guidance. Partner with Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action staff on major marketing and fundraising initiatives.
    • Drive storytelling and advocacy projects involving clients and affected communities. 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. 
  • Management (30%) 
    • Directly supervise 1-3 staff in the Policy & Legislation hub, while overseeing the work of other Public Affairs and Communications strategists and contractors for Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action.
    • Uphold Earthjustice’s mission and values by fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment, providing clear direction and feedback, and promoting a culture of learning for all team members.
    • Oversee relevant administrative, budgeting, and personnel management of direct reports, ensuring that all organizational policies and standards are met. Partner with Communications leadership on rolling out change management initiatives. 
  • Ongoing Learning 
    • 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.
 
 WHAT YOU’LL BRING 
  • 7+ years in public policy advocacy, communications and government relations. 3+ years of experience managing direct reports and teams. 
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in relevant fields, such as journalism, political science, communications, environmental studies, public policy desired, but not required. 
  • Proven experience working on Capitol Hill or in state legislatures
  • 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.
  • Skill in leading diverse teams with emotional intelligence and cultural competence; fosters growth through mentorship, effective communication, and constructive feedback while hiring and developing team talents to align with organizational needs. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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 (applies for active litigating roles)
  • Travel to courts, client locations and other legal proceedings as required (applies for active litigating roles)

SALARY & BENEFITS 

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. 

Salary range in Washington, D.C: $157,100 - $174,500
 
Salary range in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY: $165,200 - $183,600
Salary ranges in other locations will vary and will fall between $140,500 - $174,500
 

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Jobvite. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

  • Resume
  • Cover letter

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application.  
 
PLEASE NOTE

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. 
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

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.  

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