Job description
PennPIRG 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.
Every Pennsylvanian wants a healthier, safer, more secure future, and PennPIRG’s mission is to bring people together and advocate for common sense solutions that will help make that future a reality.
The problems PennPIRG works to tackle aren’t progressive or conservative. They’re just problems that we shouldn’t tolerate in an age of great abundance and technological progress. In the last decade we’ve run successful campaigns to reduce pollution from single-use plastic waste, pass policies to address the threat of lead in school drinking water, promote policies to reduce our waste and address our throwaway society, and improve public transportation.
Current Priorities
Tackling lead in drinking water: Our children need safe drinking water — especially at school, where they go to learn and play each day. Unfortunately, lead is contaminating drinking water at schools and preschools across Pennsylvania and the entire country. PennPIRG is working at all levels – local, state and federal – to Get the Lead Out of schools’ drinking water.
“Right to Repair”: We should be able to fix our stuff when it breaks. We need easy access to the information, tools, resources and third party repair shops it takes to fix our cell phones, appliances, electronics and other equipment. By fixing our laws, we can make it easier to fix our stuff. That’s good for us, and good for the planet.
Beyond Plastic: Nothing we use for a few minutes should harm our environment and communities for hundreds of years. PennPIRG is working to move our state beyond single-use plastics like plastic bags and foam takeout containers that we don’t truly need and produce harmful waste.
Some of our other campaigns include advocating for stronger consumer protections, promoting energy conservation and efficiency, and banning dangerous pesticides that put our health and environment at risk. We are currently hiring a Legislative Advocate to work on these issues and more.
Representative Responsibilities
- Program development and execution: Help implement our priority campaigns, participating in policy development, research and messaging.
- Coalition Building: Identify, reach out to and work with partners who can help us win our campaigns both through formal coalitions and informal alliances.
- Communications and Media Outreach: Generate strong earned media, opinion media, and social media for our campaigns. You may serve as a public spokesperson for our campaigns through media events, press releases, editorial board meetings and other outreach, with a goal of building name recognition for the organization, educating the public about our issues and building and demonstrating support for our positions.
- Advocacy: Bring problems and solutions to the attention of decision-makers—including federal district office staff, state legislators, the Governor’s staff, state regulators and local officials. Develop appropriate messages and materials for making the case to decision makers; build relationships with key players.
- Research and write reports: If needed, you may help analyze data relevant to the issue and our policy proposals to help influence public debate and earn media attention for our cause.
- Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff and meet with large donors, all to bring more resources to our campaigns. Work with our citizen outreach staff to build and develop our grassroots membership base.
- This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance.
Qualifications
Candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to advancing the public interest and to transpartisan, citizen-based social change, as well as a track-record of leadership. We’re looking for goal-driven and results-oriented individuals who have excellent verbal, writing and analytical skills, the ability to speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere, and enthusiasm for our work.
Experience in state-level political advocacy, grassroots organizing and/or fundraising is a bonus.
Compensation and Benefits
The starting compensation range is $32,000-$40,000 and depends on relevant experience and/or education. Candidates on the low end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. PennPIRG offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package may include medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, needs-based student loan assistance, 401(k) plan with employer match, commuter benefit program, paid time off, parental leave and long-term disability insurance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.
Why work with PIRG? Check out ten reasons: https://pirg.org/why-work-with-us/
PennPIRG 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.
PennPIRG 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.