Media Assistant

Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.  NRDC is seeking a Media Assistant to work with the Communications team in our San Francisco or Santa Monica office.  

Position Summary We are looking for a detail-oriented multitasker with excellent written and verbal communication skills to provide administrative, media outreach and research support. It’s a fast-paced team and environment, so the ideal candidate will be able to work under pressure, exercise independent judgment and prioritize when faced with overlapping tasks and deadlines. The job includes communicating externally with members of the press and internally with departments throughout the organization. Media duties include but are not limited to: pitching reporters on stories, maintaining press lists, doing research, copy-editing, as well as occasional writing and assisting with media strategy. Administrative tasks include but are not limited to: processing invoices and expense reports, handling budget accounting, arranging meetings and travel. Experience with journalism, media, social media and/or public relations desired. 

Responsibilities

Media

• Fielding inquiries from the press and general public by phone and email, efficiently and with a professional demeanor 
• Building and maintaining press lists 
• Editing, formatting, producing and distributing press releases through Cision; posting releases on NRDC’s website 
• Pitching stories; following up with reporters 
• Assisting with the distribution of blogs, op-eds, editorial board memos, reports and other communications to the press. 
• Coordinating TV and radio interviews 
• Tracking and analyzing media coverage and compiling reports, as well as research on overall media landscape and specific policy issues 
• Helping draft and circulate summaries of weekly press hits. 
• Scheduling and facilitating meetings
• Providing coverage for other assistants when needed 

  Administrative 

• Providing general administrative support for federal communications team, including recording meeting notes, setting up group calls and coordinating catering 
• Scheduling meetings and conference calls 
• Completing monthly expense reports on behalf of communications staff members  
• Arranging travel as needed 
• Processing invoices 
• Managing budgets and updating budget trackers 
• Developing contracts and license agreements

Qualifications

Required 

• Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values 
• Strong interest in communications, journalism and/or media relations 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• 1 to 3 years of professional or administrative experience   
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Outstanding attention to detail and organizational skills, ability to set priorities, perform undirected work 
• Ability to work under deadline pressure handling multiple tasks accurately, with composure, and according to procedure. 
• Willingness and availability to do occasional overtime work 
• High degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as Google Suite 
• Interest in environmental issues and/or social justice advocacy a plus 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. For this position, the salary is $50,000 to $55,000. Internal equity considerations will be reviewed before making a final offer.  

Since March 2020, NRDC’s offices have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be associated with one of our offices, but until circumstances allow us to re-open, we will continue to support NRDCers with remote working arrangements. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.