Union of Concerned Scientists, Inc.
Communications Officer
Union of Concerned Scientists, Inc., Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Overview
Communications Officer
— Permanent, Communications Department, Union of Concerned Scientists (Remote). Bargaining Unit Position: Yes. Our Organization: The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives. UCS’s Communications Program focuses on maximizing earned media visibility for UCS, our issues, experts, and products to contribute to campaign impact and raise visibility among supporters and potential supporters of our work. UCS employees center all their work on core values of racial equity and environmental justice. Responsibilities
Serve as the media point person for one or more UCS campaigns, with flexibility to jump on media opportunities that may arise for other issue areas. Keep abreast of campaign goals, targets, strategies and activities and develop proactive strategies to garner earned media for our work, including helping campaigns conceive newsworthy analyses and products; reactive strategies to insert our experts and issues into stories journalists are covering; and create a calendar of activities that occur at regular intervals to obtain ongoing and widespread visibility for UCS, our experts, positions, and products in opinion leader online, print, radio, TV, and video news outlets, as well as podcasts. Develop cross-channel ideas (social media, digital ads, blog posts, etc.) in coordination with department and program staff that can be leveraged for earned media purposes to support the campaign’s content drumbeat. Represent UCS campaigns in coalition media efforts, assisting with the development of coalition messages/media strategy. Write, edit and distribute media material including press releases, op-eds, factsheets, pitch memos, letters to the editor, backgrounders, and social media posts. Stay on top of messaging research and polling and develop messaging documents and talking points with program staff based on a deep understanding of campaign issues. Media Relationships
Establish relationships with journalists to garner coverage of UCS material, positions, and experts. Pitch reporters with suggestions for stories or articles and respond promptly to requests for interviews and information. Track outlets and journalists, including through social media, to execute strategies to cultivate and communicate with reporters as well as top experts who reporters go to for information. Arrange and staff UCS press briefings and reporter meetings. Skill Development
Enhance media and interview skills of UCS staff. Conduct media trainings Develop talking points and soundbites for UCS experts. Performance Tracking
Track UCS press hits and contribute to quarterly media reporting. Other Duties
Maintain understanding of UCS issues and positions. Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS; ensure activities and statements enhance organization’s reputation and credentials among press, public, and private sectors; promote UCS; advance organizational objectives; and enhance funding opportunities. People Management
Manage media consultants and interns as needed or for specific projects. Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate. Position requires three to seven years of experience in media relations or journalism. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, as is a demonstrated ability to conceive of and execute successful earned media strategies. Robust technical skills, including the ability to write press releases, op-eds, and other press materials; identify and maximize media opportunities; and develop messages and sound bites. Social media and visual communications skills are a plus. Physical Requirements
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time. Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard. Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents. Work Schedule
Regular Office Hours that accommodate the East Coast media market. May include occasional nights, weekends, and on-call on a rotational schedule over holidays or as needed. Travel
Some travel may be required, totaling 0-5 times a year. Equal Opportunity and Diversity
UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all. Details
This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $84,194.12. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. For California residents, there is a 12% salary differential. Information about the organization is available at
the UCS website. See no external link in this refined version. Application
Deadline: Until filled. To Apply: Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.
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Communications Officer
— Permanent, Communications Department, Union of Concerned Scientists (Remote). Bargaining Unit Position: Yes. Our Organization: The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives. UCS’s Communications Program focuses on maximizing earned media visibility for UCS, our issues, experts, and products to contribute to campaign impact and raise visibility among supporters and potential supporters of our work. UCS employees center all their work on core values of racial equity and environmental justice. Responsibilities
Serve as the media point person for one or more UCS campaigns, with flexibility to jump on media opportunities that may arise for other issue areas. Keep abreast of campaign goals, targets, strategies and activities and develop proactive strategies to garner earned media for our work, including helping campaigns conceive newsworthy analyses and products; reactive strategies to insert our experts and issues into stories journalists are covering; and create a calendar of activities that occur at regular intervals to obtain ongoing and widespread visibility for UCS, our experts, positions, and products in opinion leader online, print, radio, TV, and video news outlets, as well as podcasts. Develop cross-channel ideas (social media, digital ads, blog posts, etc.) in coordination with department and program staff that can be leveraged for earned media purposes to support the campaign’s content drumbeat. Represent UCS campaigns in coalition media efforts, assisting with the development of coalition messages/media strategy. Write, edit and distribute media material including press releases, op-eds, factsheets, pitch memos, letters to the editor, backgrounders, and social media posts. Stay on top of messaging research and polling and develop messaging documents and talking points with program staff based on a deep understanding of campaign issues. Media Relationships
Establish relationships with journalists to garner coverage of UCS material, positions, and experts. Pitch reporters with suggestions for stories or articles and respond promptly to requests for interviews and information. Track outlets and journalists, including through social media, to execute strategies to cultivate and communicate with reporters as well as top experts who reporters go to for information. Arrange and staff UCS press briefings and reporter meetings. Skill Development
Enhance media and interview skills of UCS staff. Conduct media trainings Develop talking points and soundbites for UCS experts. Performance Tracking
Track UCS press hits and contribute to quarterly media reporting. Other Duties
Maintain understanding of UCS issues and positions. Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS; ensure activities and statements enhance organization’s reputation and credentials among press, public, and private sectors; promote UCS; advance organizational objectives; and enhance funding opportunities. People Management
Manage media consultants and interns as needed or for specific projects. Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate. Position requires three to seven years of experience in media relations or journalism. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, as is a demonstrated ability to conceive of and execute successful earned media strategies. Robust technical skills, including the ability to write press releases, op-eds, and other press materials; identify and maximize media opportunities; and develop messages and sound bites. Social media and visual communications skills are a plus. Physical Requirements
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time. Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard. Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents. Work Schedule
Regular Office Hours that accommodate the East Coast media market. May include occasional nights, weekends, and on-call on a rotational schedule over holidays or as needed. Travel
Some travel may be required, totaling 0-5 times a year. Equal Opportunity and Diversity
UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all. Details
This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $84,194.12. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. For California residents, there is a 12% salary differential. Information about the organization is available at
the UCS website. See no external link in this refined version. Application
Deadline: Until filled. To Apply: Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.
#J-18808-Ljbffr