Communications Associate, Water Hub at Climate Nexus
Nicole Lampe
The Water Hub is seeking a Communications Associate to help build the political will needed to advance water justice and resilience in the Western United States. The Water Hub was created to elevate water as a public health, economic, and social justice issue, in addition to an environmental concern.
The Water Hub is housed at Climate Nexus, a strategic communications organization working to change the conversation on climate. Climate Nexus provides a range of services from digital media content production to public opinion polling, message testing, and scientific expertise.
At a time when so many stories center on conflict, the Water Hub works to create new narratives of progress and possibility, spotlighting the water solutions taking root from urban neighborhoods to forests and farmland. We also work to broaden the conversation, uplifting the voices and stories of frontline communities, tribes, and other underrepresented groups.
The Water Hub was designed to add capacity to the water movement, and the Communications Associate’s help with writing, research, and outreach will be invaluable for partner organizations that have limited bandwidth to develop the strategy and content needed to facilitate lasting change in the water space.
The Communications Associate will be part of a highly collaborative five-person team, and will also be able to access the skills and experience of Climate Nexus colleagues. The Communications Associate will provide writing, research and event support for a variety of communications efforts, ranging from media outreach around scientific reports to advocacy efforts designed to support or defeat specific water projects and policies. The Water Hub team splits its time between providing on-call support to partner organizations, and pursuing longer-term narrative projects.
The ideal candidate will have some experience using earned and digital media in support of social change. There will be opportunities for mentorship, training, and real-time feedback to help the Communications Associate build their skills and career path. The location is flexible within Northern and Central California. While the Water Hub team is working remotely during the pandemic, the Associate will be expected under normal circumstances to visit the Bay Area regularly–at the organization’s expense–to co-work with colleagues.
Responsibilities
- Issue research: Compile and summarize background material on key water issues to inform communications strategy
- Image sourcing: Identify Creative Commons licensed images for use by the Water Hub and its partners
- Tracking and reporting: Monitor earned and digital media to identify possible communications opportunities, and compile clips reports following outreach
- Copywriting: Draft press releases, opinion editorials, fact sheets, talking points, tweets, and other communications content that reflects the message strategy we co-create with partners
- Event support: Help to plan and execute press conferences, rallies, workshops and trainings, etc.
- Media targeting: Develop media lists for key news moments, including studying journalist’s past coverage and helping to tailor pitches to their interests
Attributes
- Passion for advocacy, preferably on water, environmental justice, health, or a related issue
- Proactive and excited to help create something impactful
- Able to receive feedback with openness and humility
- Effective network and relationship builder
- At ease working alone or with colleagues as required by projects
- Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Solid work ethic and good humor; willing to hustle and pitch in as needed
Skills and Experience
- 1-3 years of experience in communications or organizing, preferably working in service of social change
- Strong writer and deep listener with the ability to communicate persuasively
- Basic knowledge of the traditional and digital media landscape
- Familiarity with tools like Cision, Tweetdeck, Photoshop, Canva, WordPress, and Hubspot is a plus, but not required (we’re happy to train the right candidate)
Compensation
The starting salary range for this position is $50-65,000, dependent on experience. Climate Nexus offers a generous benefits package, including paid personal and sick leave; standard health, dental, and vision packages; employer contributions to 401k retirement account; parental leave; commuter transit benefit.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to jo...@climatenexus.org. Please note: this position requires strong writing skills, and we will read your cover letter both for substance and to get a sense of your writing style. Finalists for this position will also be required to complete a brief writing test. We will review applications on a rolling basis beginning in mid-June.
Thanks for considering!
Nicole
---
Nicole Lampe
Managing Director | Water Hub at Climate Nexus
She/her/hers