Associate Press Secretary - Washington, Oregon, or Alaska

Sierra Club; United States; Remote; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking environmental organization as an Associate Press Secretary, where you'll play a crucial role in shaping communications strategies for impactful campaigns. This position offers the chance to work collaboratively with local teams, develop compelling narratives, and engage with media to advance critical environmental and social justice issues. You'll be at the forefront of driving change, utilizing your media relations expertise to foster connections and promote equity. If you're passionate about environmental advocacy and skilled in communications, this is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the fight for a sustainable future.

Benefits

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan

Qualifications

• Experience in media relations and public relations roles.
• Strong writing and communication skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies for state campaigns.
• Build relationships with reporters and media influencers.
• Train staff and volunteers in strategic communication skills.

Skills

Media Relations

Excellent Writing Skills

Verbal Communication

Collaborative Skills

Equity Analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications or Related Field

Tools

Cision

Job description

Associate Press Secretary - Washington, Oregon, or Alaska

Job Title: Associate Press Secretary
Department: Communications
Location: Remote in Washington, Oregon, or Alaska
Reports To: Regional Communications Director
Supervises: None

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Associate Press Secretary coordinates and executes communications strategies related to the Sierra Club’s various campaigns in a set portfolio of states. Working with local staff, volunteers, and intersectional partners, the Associate Press Secretary is responsible for developing and disseminating strategic narratives that advance the goals of our campaigns in multiple states while remaining rooted in our organizational values. To support that work, the Associate Press Secretary develops creative assets to inform and influence decision makers; project manages the creation and distribution of advertising, videos, and other produced media; drafts and edits written content; and ensures messaging resonates effectively with various audiences. This position is responsible for an array of media communications, ensuring timely and accurate materials with a consistent tone and message. A key component of the Associate Press Secretary’s role is leading media outreach by organizing press conferences and other media events; coordinating the submissions of op-eds and letters to the editor; pitching stories; tracking and reporting coverage; compiling data; and nurturing relationships to grow a diverse bench of spokespeople. The ideal candidate should have a solid grasp of Sierra Club’s legacy conservation work, a conversational understanding of climate and environment issues, a personal commitment to and knowledge of social justice, and a passion for advancing progressive social change. They will also have the ability to articulate and reinforce the intersections of Sierra Club’s legacy work and communicate the challenges and opportunities we face, centered on justice and equity.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Plan and implement communications strategy for Sierra Club’s state based campaigns. Serve as liaison across internal teams and committees, as well as with external partners and stakeholders, to advise on communications strategies and tactics. Track media coverage of the issues covered in the campaign. Develop and execute long-term and rapid-response media outreach plans to advance campaign narratives and outcomes in a portfolio of states.
2. Develop messaging, written, and produced assets to advance campaign goals in collaboration with state teams. Develop media messages, op-eds, press releases, video/audio, talking points, and other materials, and coordinate media events as necessary. Create strategic media responses to relevant reports, Environmental Law Program work underway, and other external developments.
3. Build relationships with local, regional, and trade reporters and influencers. Serve as a point of contact for those reporters in order to advance media coverage. Pitch relevant stories and connect reporters with spokespeople.
4. Train and coach state based staff and volunteers in strategic communications skills. Identify, train, and place compelling spokespeople to tell the campaign’s stories. Support staff, volunteers, and partners with media training, messaging guidance, and interview preparation.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

1. Experience with media relations. You have professional experience as a journalist, media liaison, spokesperson, press secretary, or other position involving public relations. You have an understanding of best practices for using media to advance campaign goals.
2. Excellent writing and verbal communications skills. You are a strong writer and communicator who is comfortable interacting with reporters, developing compelling messages, and drafting written materials for various audiences.
3. Ability to interact cooperatively and effectively with internal and external partners. You think collaboratively and can build strong relationships with staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. You are capable of navigating challenging dynamics to achieve shared goals.
4. Leading on Equity. You model effective equity analysis and practice and have a track record of operationalizing equity, and have embedded justice and equity throughout team/department policies, structures, culture, and programs.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience, skills and competencies:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of energy, lands, and/or climate issues and relevant media landscape.
2. Experience executing creative tactics including but not limited to audio/video, podcasts, projections, murals, performance art, and advertising.
3. Ability to build alignment between stakeholders while project managing competing priorities.
4. Proficiency with Cision and/or other media outreach and tracking tools.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $65,000 - $75,000 in a Region 1 location, based on a Region 1 work location of Oakland, CA or Washington, DC. A lower starting salary may apply for remote based hires.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union or Sierra Employee Alliance, depending on location.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category 5 exempt represented position.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

To Apply

Please submit your resume here.

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

About the company

The Sierra Club is an environmental organization with chapters in all 50 United States, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.