Center for Science and Democracy

The Position

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.

The Center for Science and Democracy (CSD) at UCS advocates for the role of independent science and civic participation in public policy. We work on a wide range of issues including scientific integrity, environmental justice, chemical safety, democracy reform and regulatory policy. We also strive to build a movement of scientist activists to advocate for science-based public policies that are just, equitable and protective of public health, safety, and the environment for all people. We do this through the UCS Science Network, which is home to thousands of scientists, engineers, economists, public health specialists, and other experts throughout the country who want to put their knowledge to work in protecting our health, safety, and environment.

Responsibilities

· Design, implement, and evaluate campaign engagement strategies that advance policy change on issues of environmental justice, democracy reform, and equitable public health and safety protections.

· Develop online and offline grassroots and grasstops organizing strategies and tactics to cultivate activists, scientists, and partners towards our change-making goals. This includes leadership development and dynamic action opportunities that cultivate advocates who share our equity values and supporting their ability to take ownership of local engagement on CSD campaigns, tailored to their state or region.

· Foster and manage collaborations to work closely with both national coalition and local partners in targeted locations that harnesses our unique strengths to build collective power for campaign goals and take the lead from those on the frontlines. Lead efforts to build partnerships with Latinx advocacy groups with shared issue interests, and develop bilingual products, tools, and engagement opportunities directly responsive to partners’ needs.

· Lead our evolving approach to cultivation, training, and leadership development that fosters scientists as advocates, partners, and local leaders to help grow the movement for equity-grounded scientist activism.

· Create engagement and political education materials that inspire and guide action on our campaigns and in support of our partners, including action alert emails, fact sheets, talking points, social media content, and action guides.

· Work closely with a team of research, policy, and communications efforts that harnesses the collective strength of the diversity of perspectives and expertise towards our campaign impact.

· Help sustain the CSD Organizing Team’s culture of collaboration, creativity, and collective growth by actively participating in opportunities for learning and critical reflection on our work and impact, integration of our values in our practices, and support of one another’s development as organizers.

Qualifications and Experience

Position requires five to seven years of relevant and comparable experience in an outreach, organizing, campaign, or advocacy position. Ability to conceive, plan, and implement effective campaigns and initiatives to develop advocate leaders is a must.

Advocacy experience and experience building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies such as scientists, policymakers, and grassroots activists, with an emphasis on racial/social justice organizations is strongly preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills, and personnel/team management skills, are also required, including a commitment to transparency and inclusivity. The ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team is essential. Fluency in in the Spanish language strongly preferred.

Little or no exertion required. May spend extended periods at computer. Some travel 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 position based in UCS’s Washington, DC or Cambridge, MA offices. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is around $59,000. 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 which 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 are working from home. We will resume working from our offices, travel, and in-person meetings when it is safe to do so.

To Apply: Please visit ucsusa.org/jobs 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.

Deadline: June 11 or until filled.