Project Assistant

TERM: Nine months

Climate and Energy Program

Union of Concerned Scientists

Cambridge MA/Washington DC/remote possible

The Position

The Climate Campaign at the Union of Concerned Scientists works to get sound, actionable science into the hands of citizens, communities, and policymakers. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms are allowing and even promoting climate disinformation that is designed to confuse users and delay action. We need a social-media-savvy, enthusiastic intern to join us as we fight back.

As the Project Assistant, you will provide organizing, communications, research, and writing support to the Climate Campaign’s efforts to fight disinformation. You will help mobilize our supporters to work with our climate scientists to produce publicly accessible climate science information. You will assist our climate scientists in creating publicly accessible content. The ideal candidate will be fired up to take on this challenge and the opportunities for professional growth that it will afford.

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.

Social media, disinformation, climate denial, climate change, climate science

Responsibilities

· Support and assist the recruitment, training, and deployment of UCS supporters for anti-disinformation efforts.

· Help ensure our anti-disinformation efforts address the inequitable impacts of disinformation efforts on communities of color and other marginalized communities."

· Contribute to and support research and writing for social media materials, Tweet threads, etc.

· Track the climate disinformation shared on social media by key members of Congress and targeted fossil fuel corporations, reporting disinformation to the social media platforms per their policies, and countering as needed.

· As assigned, provide writing and proofreading support for climate science webpages, briefs, and white papers.

· Support efforts to increase the visibility of UCS report and fact sheet findings through communication with supporters, experts, decision-makers, and allies via social media and coordination and technical support of webinars.

· Assist with specific research and editing of blogs for climate campaign staff, in addition to taking notes and contributing updates in campaign meetings.

· Assist with rapid response needs as necessary.

· Collaborate and participate in team meetings as necessary.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field preferred, along with an active, energetic presence on social media platforms. Bilingual Spanish/English is highly welcome.

May spend extended periods at a computer. Travel is not 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.

Details:

This is a full-time, nine-month internship based in UCS’s Cambridge MA or Washington DC office. Remote work is possible and once UCS offices reopen, hybrid office/remote is also possible. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $36,400. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

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 that 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 is 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. https://apply.workable.com/j/95038F6BF0

Deadline: January 14, 2022, or until filled.