Illinois Climate Solutions Associate

Illinois PIRG Climate Solutions Associate

Chicago, IL

The way we turn on the lights, heat and cool our homes, get around town and more shouldn’t be dependent on burning fossil fuels. And increasingly the solutions to reduce our climate emissions are not only possible, but safer and more affordable for consumers. But we still have work to do in order to convince decision makers, and the public, to adopt them.

PIRG has a 50-year history of consumer advocacy, advancing policy solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being. The Climate Solutions Associate will work closely with our state director and our network of coalition partners and volunteers to run campaigns, like shifting off of gas to heat our homes, increasing energy conservation and energy efficiency, and promoting renewable energy.

Key responsibilities

• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals. Work within existing coalitions to move partners to action.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Lobby elected officials: Meet with decision makers - from city council members to members of Congress - to make the case for our campaign goals. When a critical vote is happening on your campaign, work to demonstrate the support you’ve been building on the ground to help line up the votes needed to win.
• Research and write persuasive campaign materials: Catalog and analyze data relevant to the issue and our policy proposals to help influence public debate and earn media attention for our cause.
• Recruit new people to your team: Help build your team by recruiting volunteers, interns and full-time staff.
• Run a grassroots campaign office each summer: Run a campaign office for the summer to raise money to support our campaigns, build our organization and membership, and help build critical and timely grassroots support to win key campaigns while honing your organizing and management skills. You may be assigned to a different office location for the summer and should be flexible to move.

Qualifications

Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply. Though we expect you to take your campaign and run with it, we provide training on advocacy and organizing skills, as well as oversight by an experienced advocate. Here are some of the experiences and qualities we look for in candidates:

• A campus or community leader, campaign staffer or grassroots organizer with experience building and leading a team on campus or in your community
• Passion for the environment and using the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns
• Leadership experience
• Top-notch writing and public speaking skills
• Good listening skills
• An eagerness to learn

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual compensation for this entry level position is $37,000 in the first year. PIRG offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, paid time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location

Chicago, IL

Apply

Apply online here

Why work with PIRG? Check out 10 reasons: https://pirg.org/why-work-with-us/.

About Illinois PIRG

Illinois PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for the public and stand up to special interests on problems that affect the public's health, safety and wellbeing.

How is it possible that, in the richest country the world has ever seen, dissatisfaction is rising and life expectancy is lower than in any other high-income country? Is it just inequality? Or could it be that, in the name of producing and consuming more "stuff," we’ve lost sight, as a society, of what really matters -- including health, wellbeing, community, and a clean environment?

Illinois PIRG’s mission is to spotlight these problems and find new solutions. Let's make more stuff reusable, repairable and recyclable, instead of single-use and designed for obsolescence. Let's choose conservation and renewable energy over fossil fuels. Let's value clean air and water over short-term profits and lower costs. Let's grow food that nurtures us as well as the land, with fewer pesticides, antibiotics and other quick fixes.

Getting governments and corporations to make these choices is hard, and steps in the right direction are almost always small. But we have a 50-year track record of training and putting even our newest staff in a position to overcome powerful interests and win real results for the public interest.

Our Mission and Values

PIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://pirg.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.

PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boosted. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.