Campaign Manager

Campaign Manager

Clean Transportation Program

Union of Concerned Scientists

Washington, DC, Chicago, IL, Cambridge, MA

The Position

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.

UCS is looking for an experienced campaigner, manager, and advocate who will help lead the effort to clean up the heavy-duty transportation sector in the US. We are expanding our efforts to speed up truck and bus electrification nationwide and are seeking a leader who will leverage their skills and expertise to help reduce global warming emissions and harmful pollution that threatens public health and overburdens the communities located near our highways and ports—primarily Black, Latinx, and Asian-American communities. In this role your work will have real, lasting impacts on how heavy-duty transportation policy decisions are made on both the national and state levels. The right candidate will be able to thoughtfully develop a strategic campaign as it relates to equitable transportation and public health policy, while working closely with both national coalition and local environmental justice partners to build collective power while taking lead from those on the frontlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage the medium- and heavy-duty transportation campaign plan, including budget and resource allocation, incorporating input from the Clean Transportation team and key partners.
• Conceive, plan, implement, and evaluate strategies, tactics, and initiatives that persuade decisionmakers to support policy goals.
• Ensure that tactics that incorporate analysis, advocacy, partner input, supporter engagement, and media and visibility are well integrated, aligned, and timed for maximum impact.
• Develop online and offline grassroots and grasstops organizing strategies and tactics to cultivate and amplify activist, scientist, and partner support for clean trucks and buses while building power for the movement.
• Compose and review outreach and campaign materials including action alert emails, fact sheets, talking points, social media content, and other written materials as needed, translating technical materials for varied external audiences.
• Ensure effective coordination with cross-programmatic relationship building and federal and state campaign activity.
• Cultivate and build meaningful relationships with partners, especially those from frontline communities most impacted by heavy-duty pollution.
• Represent UCS as a key contributor in the growing heavy-duty electrification advocacy movement: to the public, decisionmakers, allies, and experts.
• Strategically manage externally changing conditions, campaign opportunities, and resource constraints.
• Supervise campaign staff, interns, and consultants as needed, and liaise with other UCS staff.
• Ensure the inclusive and transparent functioning of a campaign team that draws on the contributions of all members to deliver external impact, while contributing to the creation of an internal team culture in which staff are safe, respected, and heeded.
• Develop metrics for, track effectiveness of, and help ensure implementation of lessons learned from campaign activities.
• Stay informed about science advocacy, heavy-duty transportation, and movement building-related issues.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Position requires five to ten years of relevant experience in developing campaign strategy and communications, organizing and developing leaders among grassroots and grasstops activists, and utilizing online and offline mobilization strategies. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. Demonstrated ability to conceive, plan and implement effective issue campaigns. Advocacy experience and experience building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies, with an emphasis on racial/social justice organizations. Demonstrated ability to thoughtfully navigate issues related to diversity, justice, equity, and inclusion and a deep commitment to advancing these values. Demonstrated ability to collaborate as a leader and member of a multidisciplinary team, with a commitment to transparency and inclusivity. Strong project management, written and verbal communication skills.

No prior in-depth content knowledge is necessary, however enthusiasm about the application of science to public policy and enthusiasm for in-depth learning in the area of heavy-duty transportation policy are preferred.

May spend extended periods at computer. Some travel required.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also 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, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Benefits

Details: This is a full-time position based in one of UCS offices in Washington, DC, Cambridge, MA, Chicago, IL. The salary range is $68,500-$80,000, based on experience. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

A note on the pandemic:

During the coronavirus pandemic our staff are working from home. We will resume working from our offices, travel, and in-person meetings when it is safe to do so.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. 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.

Deadline: until filled