Access to Justice Campaign Director

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earthjustice

Access to Justice Campaign Director

Washington, DC
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country.  We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.   We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

    Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Miami and Washington, DC.

    The federal judiciary is a vital part of the constitutional system of checks and balances. It has played a critical role in safeguarding our rights and freedoms. Court decisions have protected the right to vote; struck down segregated schools; secured marriage equality; upheld protections for public health and safety; and compelled the government to follow the law and protect air, water, and wilderness.  The right to access justice through the courts is in jeopardy, and Earthjustice, standing with other public interest organizations, is fighting to resist efforts that would bar the courtroom doors to American public. 

    The Access to Justice Campaign Director coordinates a multi-faceted, targeted effort to build and advance a cross-organizational effort to protect people’s access to the courts.  Working with Earthjustice’s Policy and Legislative (PAL) staff, communications, and attorneys, and reporting to the Vice President for Litigation in the Washington, DC office, the Campaign Director helps to build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, and design, develop and implement strategy aimed at preserving access to justice.  The ideal candidate should have a proven track record of building diverse public interest coalitions, including organizing fly-ins, Hill events, regional events and speaking opportunities, and experience planning and executing media and social media strategy. (Note – the candidate need not have environmental experience as long as they have public interest organizing experience.  Experience working with the law and solid understanding of litigation is a strong plus.)

    THE CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR ROLE IS A FULL-TIME STAFF POSITION, THAT WE SEEK TO FILL INITIALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN OUR WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    Managerial duties:

    This person will work in lock-step with Earthjustice staff (Policy, Communications, and Litigation), and with outside partner groups, consultants, and vendors to help design, guide, and implement the Access to Justice (A2J) campaign efforts.  To this end, the Director will:

    • Work with Earthjustice staff, external partners, and vendors to develop campaign plans, and provide ongoing strategic campaign advice to coalition partners and stakeholders;
    • Serve as principal point of contact for coalition partners and other campaign stakeholders, and provide managerial oversight of vendor;
    • Participate with other Earthjustice staff engaging with donors and potential donors;
    • Manage the implementation, tracking and measurement of integrated campaign activities;
    • Lead stakeholder meeting calls, maintain communications, and disseminate information to and among partners;
    • Evaluate strategic progress and oversee the production of regular, comprehensive updates on campaign activities including progress toward goals;
    • Legislative – work with PAL team on efforts to defeat threats to A2J (e.g., helping to mobilize coalition partners around important emerging issues);
    • Communications – work with Communications and Policy offices on media, outreach to key audiences (students, academics, legal professionals, and other influencers), experts, editorial boards, etc. -- especially helping to coordinate cross-partnership engagement;
    • Partnerships and coalition building – work to grow a diverse coalition of public interest advocacy groups who recognize the importance of and are willing to take action to help protect access to justice.

    Policy Advocacy duties:

    • Work with PAL to coordinate and schedule coalition Hill meetings with partner groups;
    • Work with PAL team to identify and pursue effective uses of our legislative tracker and other policy advocacy tools in service of campaign objectives;
    • Work with PAL and Litigation to track and respond to executive branch efforts to limit access to justice;
    • Recruit and work with coalition partners on Hill speaking opportunities and panels to highlight Access-related threats;
    • Work with PAL and coalition partners to help galvanize relationships with House/Senate caucuses, and to cultivate key Congressional champions on Access to Justice;
    • Work with coalition partners, PAL and consultants to develop and implement strategy for reaching influencers associated with specific strategic objectives.

    Communications duties:

    • Work with PAL communication strategist to produce quality communications and campaign activity that supports key message frames;
    • Work with partner points of contact and/or lead partners and stakeholders to set weekly priorities for rapid response, and ensure follow-through;
    • Interface with partner groups to develop activities that support core message themes and agreed-upon strategy;
    • Manage communications and research consultants as necessary;
    • Manage Access-related paid media buys (digital, radio, print);
    • Manage polling and message research projects;
    • Oversee the production and sourcing of campaign materials for internal and external use.

     

    Litigation Program interface:

    • Work with designated Litigation program points to help identify and inform the production of internal materials on Access to Justice;
    • Work with litigation program and other staff to deliver content internally;
    • Work with Litigation to ensure that internal and external content is legally accurate and complete.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    A successful applicant must be an experienced strategist with keen political sense, an excellent communicator, and a skilled manager who is capable of independent leadership.  In addition, the applicant should possess: 

    • Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in public relations, communications, or a related discipline or an equivalent work history.
    • 5-7 years of campaign leadership experience, including a proven track record of building diverse public interest coalitions, managing various campaign activities (such as organizing fly-ins, Hill events, regional events and speaking opportunities), and experience planning and executing media and social media strategy.
    • The candidate need not have environmental experience as long as they have public interest organizing experience. 
    • Experience working with the law and solid understanding of litigation is a strong plus.
    • The capacity to express a compelling vision and inspire action from others.
    • A proven track-record in running a competitive national or statewide electoral campaign, issue campaign, or independent expenditure.
    • Strong organizational and leadership abilities, and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to efficiently and strategically work with a diverse staff.
    • An excellent analytical, problem solving, and presentation skills.
    • A demonstrated understanding of how to work through and resolve coalition conflicts.
    • An ability and willingness to travel as needed for campaign related work, events, partnership building and advocacy.
    • An ability and willingness to engage effectively in fundraising activities.
    • A demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
    • A commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
    • A passion for working in the public interest.

    We offer a mission and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package including excellent benefits.  Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.

    TO APPLY Interested candidates should submit a COVER LETTER EXPLAINING YOUR INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE RELATED TO THIS POSITION AND RESUME online via the Jobvite system. Incomplete applications without cover letters will not be considered.

    Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

    Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position.