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 position will ideally be located in San Francisco, CA, but we are open to housing the role in Los Angeles for the right candidate.

In addition to a talented cadre of environmental lawyers and legislative advocates, Earthjustice has an amazing communications department that works in partnership with every other department at the organization. The team is looking for a Regional Communications Strategist dedicated to supporting our California legal and policy team, which is based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. The California Regional Communications Strategist works closely with our California Managing Attorney and develops and implements strategic communications for California—including dynamic storytelling, media, and public outreach—to support priority litigation and legislative advocacy in our docket and to help build Earthjustice’s profile in the Golden State.

Our California work covers such wide-ranging environmental issues as advancing clean energy, protecting farmworkers from pesticides, combatting air pollution, fighting environmental injustices, and protecting wildlife. This role also includes running our California-based Right to Zero campaign, which is dedicated to shifting the state to a zero-emissions transportation sector, all powered by a clean energy grid. This will entail managing an outside communications firm based in California, as well as a general media contractor based in Los Angeles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGY & COORDINATION: 30%

• Partners with key attorneys and policy staff to craft and implement communications strategy and messaging for Earthjustice’s California work.
• Manages the Right to Zero campaign, including associated contractors, events, social media presence, legislative advocacy, and media outreach. Also manages a freelance media contractor for general press assistance.
• Coordinates with national and regional communications strategists on shared marquee environmental issues at Earthjustice, adopting consistent organizational framing within the lens of our California work.
• Works with partners and clients in developing coalition strategy and advocacy tactics. Identifies potential partnerships with other local organizations to amplify key issues.
• Develops strategy documents, timelines, budgets, and metrics to determine campaign effectiveness, ensure accountability, and inform future strategy.

MEDIA RELATIONS: 45%

• Drafts press content and pitches Earthjustice’s California work to print, television, radio and online media outlets.
• Oversees drafting and coordination of rapid response messaging to breaking news and developments.
• Builds relationships between journalists and key Earthjustice CA spokespeople; research reporters’ beats and interests; builds and maintains press lists.
• Works with media trainers to hone interview skills of Earthjustice staff; preps spokespeople for priority media interviews; coordinates press events and other earned media opportunities.

CONTENT CREATION & BRANDING: 25%

• Develops innovative ways to tell the stories of our California work; drafts compelling content for the Earthjustice blog, social media, website and print materials.
• Partners with national and regional communications strategists and colleagues in Brand Communications on major storytelling initiatives for shared marquee issues; partners with marketing staff in Development and Communications to identify and develop stories for regional fundraising and marketing purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science, literature, rhetoric, communications, or environmental fields required. Master’s degree desirable but not necessary.
• Strong background in social justice movements, politics, or community organizing a plus.
• 7+ years in communications or journalism, with an emphasis in environmental/nonprofit/advocacy projects.
• Media savvy, with great depth of experience in successfully placing stories, opinion pieces, and narratives, with a history of influencing conversations unfolding in the media. Must be social media savvy as well.
• An independent self-starter who can own our California communications work and coordinate multiple projects with a large legal team. Must be adept at rapid response communications work and juggling competing deadlines.
• Excellent communications strategic sense and an ability to set goals and priorities, managing limited resources for maximum impact.
• Experience working on environmental or social justice issues such as toxic air pollution, transportation issues, wildlife protections, fossil fuels, pesticides, or environmental justice.
• Experience working with diverse coalitions, integrating online communications with offline organizing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to mobilize supporters through powerful, creative narratives and storytelling
• Ability to lead staff and vendors in a team environment and exhibit strong team building/participation skills.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Spanish-language proficiency a plus.

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. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Using the Jobvite application tool, please submit:

• Resume.
• One or two-page cover letter that addresses at least the following subjects: (1) why you are drawn to Earthjustice’s mission and whether there are particular legal, environmental, or justice issues that inspire you; and (2) aspects of your background that demonstrates competence to work in this position with diverse clients and colleagues.
• Writing sample, preferably press materials, a report, or an opinion piece that primarily reflects your work.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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

 

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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.