|
The Union of Concerned Scientists is an equal opportunity employer, continually seeking to diversify its staff. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a rewarding work environment.
In applying for a position:
Cover letters may be addressed to "Search Committee." Please include your salary range expectations. You will only be contacted if we desire an interview. Postings will be taken down once position is filled. Please, no phone calls.
Benefits at UCS
Washington Representative
Food and Environment Program
Location: DC Office
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. What began as collaboration between students and faculty members at MIT in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 300,000 citizens and scientists that includes people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students.
UCS strives for a future that is free from the threats of global warming and nuclear war and a planet that supports a rich diversity of life. Our specific focus areas include global warming, renewable energy, advanced vehicle technology, nuclear power safety, nuclear weapons and related security issues, preserving the integrity of science, and sustainable agriculture.
The Position:
UCS’s Food and Environment (F&E) program is seeking a highly qualified individual to lead UCS’s efforts to reorient U.S. agriculture toward sustainability through the adoption of progressive policies in the next farm bill. Under the supervision of the F&E program director and working with other program staff, the Washington representative will lead legislative campaigns and advocate UCS positions on sustainable food systems, agriculture and climate, antibiotic resistance, and agricultural biotechnology to Congress and the executive branch; participate in the development of UCS policy positions; prepare written material for advocacy purposes; and participate in outreach, membership, and activist-related activities in support of program and organizational goals.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Congressional representatives and staff, administration officials, and advocates from other nonprofit organizations
- Contribute to the development of policies and legislative initiatives, particularly in the context of the farm bill, promoting and supporting UCS goals and enlist support for these initiatives from the Congress, administration, and public-interest allies
- Monitor the progress of legislation and policies in Congress and at federal agencies, respectively
- Working with the outreach coordinator, design and lead legislative and executive branch campaigns to win approval of progressive legislation and policies that reflect UCS’s policy goals
- Represent UCS to the media and general public
- Write testimony, fact sheets, briefing papers, op-ed pieces, letters, comments, articles for UCS print publications and web, and other material as needed for advocacy
Qualifications:
- Thorough understanding of the Congressional legislative and administration policy-making processes
- Knowledge of advocacy/lobbying techniques and strategies, including planning and implementing effective issue campaigns
- Broad knowledge of sustainable food systems, agriculture and climate, agricultural biotechnology, farm bill programs, and/or antibiotic-resistance issues
- Strong analytical and project management skills
- Excellent speaking and writing skills and a strong commitment to advocacy
- B.S. or B.A. degree, at a minimum - an advanced degree is preferred but not essential.
Experience:
- Five to seven years of progressively responsible legislative or lobbying experience at the national or state level on environmental, agricultural, or other science policy issues
- Experience in public-interest advocacy campaigns and policy analysis, including demonstrated success in designing and leading legislative and executive branch campaigns
- Demonstrated commitment to advocacy
- Proven competence in science or technical policy subject matter and proven oral and written communication skills
- Experience working in cross-disciplinary and cross-departmental advocacy campaigns
- A background in agriculture, biology, food policy, or environmental science; experience working on the farm bill; and NGO experience are preferred but not essential.
To Apply:
Before November 29th, please submit a cover letter with salary requirements and how you learned of the position and resume via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Washington Representative” in the subject line. Email materials in Word documents only. No phone calls.
Back to top
Midwest Office Director
Location: Chicago Office
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. What began as collaboration between students and faculty members at MIT in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 300,000 citizens and scientists that includes people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students.
UCS strives for a future that is free from the threats of global warming and nuclear war and a planet that supports a rich diversity of life. Our specific focus areas include global warming, renewable energy, advanced vehicle technology, nuclear power safety, nuclear weapons and related security issues, preserving the integrity of science, and sustainable agriculture.
The Position:
Under the direction of the Climate & Energy Program Director, and in close coordination with relevant Program staff, develop, lead, and manage UCS efforts to advance climate and energy issues and policy regionally and nationally. This includes: externally representing UCS’s work in the region; providing high-level analysis and support to efforts conducted with partner and stakeholder organizations; building coalitions and collaborating with local groups; effectively communicating and collaborating with UCS program directors and staff working on climate-related issues; developing and leading integrated campaign strategies and projects in annual program work plans.
Lead UCS’s advocacy effort to phase out conventional coal, a national issue project targeting the Midwest and led out of the Midwest office. This project is a companion to UCS’s national renewables project and is a central pillar of the organization’s national energy campaign.
Serve as a UCS public spokesperson on climate and energy issues in the Midwest and nationally. Maintain awareness and basic understanding of UCS Midwest projects, campaigns, and activities organization-wide, interacting with relevant Program Directors and staff as needed. Represent UCS in public forums, at conferences, with the media, before professional associations and in other settings. Look for opportunities to increase UCS visibility on climate, energy, and other issues in the Midwest. Represent the Midwest Office and the Climate and Energy Program on the organization-wide leadership team consisting of program and office heads, and before the UCS board, senior management, major donors, foundation representatives, and others.
Consistent with priority policy and outreach objectives, cultivate, collaborate, and maintain strong relationships with local groups and with relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to government officials, academic researchers, NGOs, business leaders, the public health community, and other opinion-leaders. Engage in any collaborative activities needed to further program or organizational goals. Identify and, as appropriate, engage new allies, constituencies, and coalitions. As appropriate, lead and/or coordinate coalitions to advance common climate and energy objectives. Maintain current and thorough knowledge of climate, energy and related sectoral policy or issue initiatives and processes across the region and nationally.
Collaborate with Foundation Relations identify and cultivate foundation donors. In collaboration with the Development Department, ensure that grant proposals and grant reports get prepared on time. Support fundraising efforts and as needed, coordinate with the Development Department in soliciting contributions from major donors to support the work of Climate and Energy and other programs. Develop and maintain productive relationships with funders.
Provide leadership in the Midwest office to promote a positive work environment; foster a positive team spirit that easily crosses departmental lines; and leverage the collective resources of the organization. Manage general office issues, such as space, staff morale, and interpersonal relations, and supervise any shared administrative or program support staff. Mentor and advise MW office staff, as needed. Respond to internal and external requests for information directed to the MW office. Actively engage in problem solving around relevant strategic questions, issues of substance, and matters of staff time prioritization and resource utilization.
Basic Knowledge and Skills:
The ideal candidate will be an effective leader of climate, energy and environmental campaigns, possessing a sophisticated mix of technical competency, strong relationship and project management abilities, high-level communication skills, and entrepreneurship. Extensive knowledge of climate and energy policy, including the political, social, environmental, and economic ramifications of global warming and energy issues is a must as is being conversant with key issues regionally and nationally in coal and renewable energy. Ability to understand the role of technical analyses and advocacy in shaping public opinion and policy debates; excellent public speaking and media relations capabilities; a demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively in teams and to liaise with board members, government officials, and others in the NGO community. Exceptional oral/written communication and organizing skills and the strong leadership ability needed to effectively manage action-oriented campaigns and multidisciplinary teams of experts. A track record of working with high-level stakeholders in government, NGOs, and/or industry is highly desirable.
Experience:
Position requires six to eight years of progressively responsible, related experience, including broad and senior-level environmental/public issue campaigns management and teamwork and leveraging scientific and technical expertise to support public and policymaker education and mobilization. A track record of fundraising and experience interfacing with a range of donors and funders, from technically focused foundations to high-level donors, is highly desirable. A minimum of a master’s degree in public policy, economics, science, engineering or related field or equivalent experience is preferred.
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Midwest Office Director” in the subject line. Email materials by Word Documents only. No calls. Deadline: October 15th or until filled.
Back to top
|
