Senior Communications Specialist, US Climate and Energy

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
 
Overall Function

EDF’s US Climate and Energy program seeks to help accelerate the deployment of large-scale, clean technologies into the nation’s energy system and remake the market for efficiency and innovation in order to reduce the environmental impact of energy production, delivery and use.  We are working to make natural gas exploration safer and cleaner, modernize our outdated energy infrastructure and break down the regulatory and financial barriers to broad-scale adoption of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other innovative ways to generate, distribute and use energy.
 
The Senior Communications Specialist will assist the Communications Director and work directly with experts in EDF’s US Climate and Energy program to implement and manage strategic communications plans in order to advance the goals of Environmental Defense Fund, helping to achieve policy objectives and maintain EDF’s leadership role on environmental and energy policy in key states across the country. 
 
The position will be full-time and based in Austin, Texas.  An ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of state legislative processes and politics (federal a plus), along with an interest in energy and environmental issues.  The Senior Communications Specialist will often play the role of a generalist utilizing skill sets in basic graphic and web design, video editing, political strategy and technical and persuasive writing.
 
Key Responsibilities

The Senior Communications Specialist will report to the Communications Director for the US Climate and Energy Program, and work closely with experts on policy issues related to energy and the environment.  The Senior Communications Specialist will be responsible for assisting the Communications Director of the US Climate and Energy program with communications initiatives, such as:
 

• Executing environmental and energy policy-related communications strategies and outreach materials including press conferences, one-on-one meetings with the media and opinion leaders (i.e. elected officials, appointed officials, etc.), press releases, editorial board meetings, placing and writing opinion editorials, writing and promoting blogs and social media promotion;
• Managing content on EDF’s Energy Exchange blog and @EDFEnergyEX Twitter handle;
• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with targeted online, print and broadcast journalists, editorial writers and columnists, as well as with other opinion leaders;
• Garnering, tracking and marketing earned media exposure in key media outlets;
• Researching and pitching EDF experts for thought-leading environment and energy-related speaking events across the country; and
• Helping to maintain electronic files, including media lists, press clips, collateral, etc.

Specific Responsibilities include:

• Executing offline and online strategic communications plans for campaign and program activities and for targeted branding efforts in key states;
• Monitoring press response to breaking news and legislative events;
• Generating environmental and energy policy-related news stories on a systematic basis for feature coverage;
• Cultivating and maintaining regional reporter relationships, and creating/distributing press materials under deadline pressure;
• Executing long-term strategic communications planning while maintaining an opportunistic approach to daily, breaking news events; and
• Serving the communications needs of the US Climate and Energy experts, development and communications staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications or marketing; Master’s degree is a plus
• A minimum of five years communications experience, preferably in a political or issue advocacy context
• Proficiency with social media tools and outlets required
• Proficiency in Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Internet required
• Practical, real-world experience in environmental media and communications preferred
• Experience working on local and/or statewide press outreach preferred
• Basic graphic and web design and video editing experience preferred
• Familiarity with cutting-edge communication technologies preferred (i.e. Vocus, etc.)
• Superior creative and opportunistic media outreach abilities
• Excellent writing, proofing and editing skills
• Experience managing contractors (i.e. Web and graphic designers, communications consultants, etc.)
• Excellent telephone, oral communication and presentation skills
• Ability to adapt to frequent change and prioritize multiple tasks effectively under deadline pressure
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills

 Note:This position requires 20% travel.

Location
 
This position will be located in Austin, TX.
 
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.

Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer
 
 
 
 
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