Job description

U.S. PIRG seeks a Make It Toxic Free Advocate to protect people from harmful chemicals in everyday products. 

Most people are surprised to learn that the companies who make personal care and cleaning products are allowed to put nearly any chemical they want as an ingredient in their products. And the government doesn’t test those chemicals for safety or require any pre-market approval. Americans are then unknowingly exposed to dozens of toxic chemicals when we take a shower, wash our hands, clean our homes or protect our skin from the sun. Many of these chemicals have been linked to serious health impacts, including cancer. 

The Make It Toxic Free Advocate will run our campaign to call on three of the largest personal care and home cleaning  companies, L’Oreal, P&G and Unilever, to go toxic-free, and convince decision-makers to replace the dangers in common products in  favor of safer alternatives.

U.S. PIRG Advocates do the research to find possible solutions, build our case for the best solution based on proven facts and solid arguments, and advocate for these solutions by working with decision-makers in Congress, state capitols, city halls, corporate boardrooms and more. 

At U.S. PIRG, our mission is to advocate for the public interest—to speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good. We have a 45-year track record of winning laws and policies that make a real difference in people’s lives. Take lead. In the early 2000s, kids across the country were poisoned by lead contaminated toys. At the time, no standard existed for lead paint. U.S. PIRG helped pass a national law to protect children from dangerous products, resulting in less exposure to lead and other toxic hazards.

If you want to work hard, challenge yourself, and make an actual impact on some of the most critical issues of our time, apply for a career with U.S. PIRG.

Responsibilities

Communications: Serve as the spokesperson for our campaigns through media events, press releases and opinion writing. Find and research harmful chemicals of concern. Raise the profile of dangerous toxics in the media. Write reports and consumer guides to let our members know about threats to public health and safety.
Coalition Building: Build relationships, coordinate and mobilize support with key constituencies, including legal allies, consumers, business owners and others. Advocate for policies that will protect and empower consumers. 
Campaign Strategy & Advocacy: Develop plans to win our campaigns using research, advocacy, coalition-building, media attention, and grassroots mobilization; assess opportunities for building political support for our agenda. Build relationships with players in key regulatory agencies, statehouses, in Congress, and other forums where relevant decisions are being made.
Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundations, and meet with major donors, to bring more resources to our campaigns. Work with our citizen outreach staff to build and deepen our membership base.
Staff Recruitment and Development: Recruit new staff and volunteers. Oversee other staff working on our consumer program team. Coordinate with our state staff and provide training and leadership development.

Qualifications

Candidates must have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. Advanced degrees like a JD, or a master’s degree may count toward experience. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to public interest or consumer issues and to citizen-based social change, as well as a track record of leadership. We’re looking for people who are goal-driven and results-oriented, who have excellent verbal, written and analytical skills, the ability to speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere, and driven to make positive policy change. 

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this position is commensurate with the candidate’s relevant professional experience. U.S. PIRG offers a competitive benefits package.

Location

Chicago, Washington, D.C., or Philadelphia

Application

Please apply online. Please address your cover letter to Kate Canada, hiring director.

Things to Know When You Apply

U.S. 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 getting things done. Visit  http://www.uspirg.org/core-values.html to learn more. 

U.S. PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

Details

Employer
US PIRG

Job category
Advocacy

Employment type
Full Time

Experience
3+ years

Compensation
Compensation for this position is commensurate with the candidate’s relevant professional experience. U.S. PIRG offers a competitive benefits package.

Start date
February 10, 2020

Apply by February 2, 2020