ABOUT VOTE SOLAR

Vote Solar's mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future through a solutions-driven, people first approach. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advances just and equitable clean energy policy in state legislatures and public commissions across the United States. Our expertise comes from a deep understanding of the legislative process, regulatory interventions, and the ability to identify and accelerate solar solutions. We are adept at bridging communities and bringing diverse stakeholders together to forge inclusive coalitions and winning campaigns.

Our goal is to effect real, tangible change. And we have the track-record to prove we can do it: Twenty years in, our work has made it so that one in three people live in a state with a 100% clean energy commitment. We’ll not only expand that number, but ensure that more people can participate in holding utilities and decision makers accountable for greater equity and justice in our energy system.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

Vote Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the workplace and in the communities with which we partner. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including multilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

THE ROLE

The Regional Communications Associate, East role is a new position created to provide direct support to our Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regional teams. This role will report to the Director of Campaign Communications as part of a 5-member Communications team. In addition to writing and publishing a variety of communications content to support regional policy and regulatory campaign initiatives, the Associate will support organizational press and earned media initiatives. In their first year, this role will prioritize gaining a deep understanding of our campaign priorities and how best to communicate them to our key audiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate’s primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

CONTENT CREATION AND STRATEGY (60%)

• Attend regular regional campaign and coalition meetings to learn about our key issues and provide updates to Vote Solar’s members, followers and partner organizations.
• Collaborate with regional campaign staff and external consultants to identify key campaign messages and opportunities to amplify them.
• Help to conceive, draft and implement campaign-related communications assets to ensure consistency, clarity, engagement, and alignment with Vote Solar’s voice. This may include email, press releases, social media, blog posts and digital ads.
• Center Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) in content development and storytelling.
• Create visually compelling digital content through excellent writing, photo selection and brand implementation, with a specific focus on member engagement.

MEDIA ENGAGEMENT (30%)

• Maintain a shared, up-to-date press list,media coverage database, and speaking engagement tracker to ease facilitation of reporter outreach.
• Support the development and distribution of press releases, opinion pieces, and educational resources for reporters.
• Support the Managing Director of Communications to determine earned media strategies, draft pitches and lead reporter outreach
• Draft talking points on key campaigns for internal staff and partners.
• Help train campaign staff on media relations best practices (may include writing press releases, interview prep, or messaging guidance)
• Proactively identify timely media opportunities and pitch Vote Solar staff for rapid media response

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE (10%)

• Continue personal learning and contributions to organizational work on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Committed to embedding equity in all organizational internal practices and culture, as well as our programs.
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning on race, class, gender, justice, and equity.

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED

• Two to four years of experience in either public relations, fundraising, organizing, advocacy campaigns or a track record that matches this experience. Strong written and verbal communication skills in advocacy, storytelling, DEIJ, fundraising, or other issue-driven areas.
• Experience implementing multi-channel communications activities for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in learning and growing skills in public relations, digital tools, and data.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to plan, organize and prioritize workload and handle several tasks simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in a remote team setting, with demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and driven.

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OR WOULD BE EXCITED TO LEARN HERE

• Expertise in engaging national, local, or trade media and/or a track record of or passion for effectively communicating about advocacy campaigns to the press
• Experience and/or interested in learning and communicating about energy policy and the policymaking process.
• Basic understanding of HTML and how to troubleshoot formatting on Wordpress sites and in WYSIWYG content editors.
• Experience with graphic design for both online and offline content, or video production.

MINDSETS

• A personal commitment to being a part of an inclusive and just workplace, including a commitment to being on a journey with Vote Solar to develop personal, and inter-personal core competencies related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
• Passion for building new capacity at a growing organization.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

LOCATION

This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates based in the Eastern time zone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Vote Solar staff have been working from home and have ceased work travel. When it is safe to do so, this position will require some national travel. Workplace arrangements are flexible, including options to work from a co-working space or work from home.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $60,000-65,000. Vote Solar provides full-time staff with a competitive package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 4 days of personal leave and 16 paid holidays. We also offer 100% employer-provided health, dental and vision care for both the employee and dependents; a retirement savings plan and an employer match of up to 3.5%; and a paid parental and medical leave policy for all regular employees.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a letter of interest and resume through the Workable link. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.