Public Affairs and Communications Strategist, Gulf

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, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. 

• Partners with the Managing Attorneys for the Fossil Fuel Program and Gulf Regional Office, and other key lawyers and policy staff, to set communication priorities and develop strategies that advance Earthjustice’s goals. 
• Collaborates across the Public Affairs and Communications team to coordinate messaging and develop and implement comprehensive and creative advocacy communications strategies. 
• Works with partners, clients, and coalitions on joint advocacy and communication campaigns, issue education, engagement and mobilization, and paid, owned, and earned media. 
• Identifies potential partnerships with local organizations in the Gulf and Appalachia. 
• Develops strategy documents and timelines, manages budgets and tracks metrics to determine effectiveness, ensure accountability, and inform future strategy. Sets achievable measurements of success and strives to meet these goals. 

• Works with traditional and new media to ensure coverage of Earthjustice’s work in target print, television, radio, and online media; maintains knowledge of and relationships with reporters covering key issues; and coordinates press events and other earned media opportunities. 
• Creates and implements paid media strategies on key priorities. 
• Works with our legal and policy staff to consistently improve and polish their media and social media skills, including spokesperson prep for priority media interviews. 
• Works to elevate the voices of Earthjustice partners and clients in the press and contributes to coalition media efforts.  
• May provide strategic direction to media relations specialist when collaborating on earned media work.  

• 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 as needed.  
• Reviews, edits, and approves content and materials developed by Communications team members to ensure it adheres to brand standards and furthers strategic communications goals for the organization. 

• Manages project budgets and contractor invoices.
• Reports on analytics.  

• 6+ years of experience in nonprofit/advocacy communications, including setting strategy, managing advocacy campaigns, writing and producing content, and conducting media outreach.  
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, political science, campaigns, journalism, environmental fields, or related fields. Master’s degree a plus. 
• Experience working on fossil fuels, petrochemicals, climate change, clean energy, or public health issues preferred.  
• Experience working in the Gulf and/or Ohio River Valley regions preferred.  
• Background in social justice or environmental justice movements, Indigenous issues, or grassroots organizing a plus. 
• Proficiency in Spanish a plus. 
• Excellent strategic sense and an ability to set goals and priorities, managing limited resources for maximum impact. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated experience in public speaking. 
• 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. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to lead teams, manage vendors, and coordinate projects with external partners and across coalitions. 
• Outstanding organizational skills with demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate a variety of detailed projects, sometimes under a very tight deadline. 
• 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. 

• Resume
• Cover letter