Oceans Advocate

The Public Interest Network; Boston, Washington, Oakland, Portland (MA, District of Columbia, CA, OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment America is hiring an Oceans Advocate to protect oceans and marine life. The role involves building campaigns, engaging diverse audiences, and advocating for practical protections, including sanctuaries and policy reforms.

You will coordinate with lawmakers, coalitions, and supporters nationwide from our Boston-area base and other locations. Ideal candidates have strong writing and public speaking skills, plus at least two years in organizing or advocacy.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• At least two years of professional full-time organizing, advocacy, campaigning or legislative work.
• Team player with grit to drive campaigns forward.

Responsibilities

• Create new and expanded marine sanctuaries and protected areas.
• Block deepsea mining and bottom trawling activities.
• Meet with officials to advocate for strong environmental policies.
• Develop campaign plans and tactics with state and national leadership.
• Organize events and recruit partners to support campaigns.

Skills

Public speaking

Writing

Advocacy

Coalition building

Campaign planning

Job description

Oceans Advocate

Department: Program

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Multiple Locations

Reporting To: Kelsey Lamp

Compensation: $41,750 - $46,000 / year

Description

Environment America has one mission: to protect the natural world. We’re hiring an Oceans Advocate to protect oceans and marine life.

Our oceans are awe-inspiring, stunningly beautiful, home to countless species and vital to the health of the planet. They also face multiple human-driven threats, including offshore drilling, deepsea mining, habitat loss, plastic pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing gear, acidification, dead zones and more. As an advocate with Environment America, you’ll work to build and demonstrate broad support for protecting our oceans, engaging with Americans across the political spectrum, and advocate for practical solutions that protect and restore our oceans and marine wildlife.

Key Responsibilities

Environment America’s Oceans Advocate will work to create new and expanded marine sanctuaries and other protected areas, block deepsea mining and bottom trawling, remove inland dams that prevent ocean fish from swimming upstream for spawning, advance the usage of whale-safe fishing gear, and more. This position requires excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Coalition building: Serve as the Environment America voice in conservation coalitions. Recruit new partners who can help us win campaigns, including unlikely allies who might agree with us on one issue, even if we disagree on other issues.
• Fundraising: Fund our campaigns and grow our impact by raising money from foundations and individual donors.
• Advocacy: Meet with elected and appointed government officials to advocate for strong environmental policies. Develop collaborative relationships with legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle and federal agencies to advance our policy goals.
• Media and communications: Write reports, fact sheets, news releases, website articles, op-eds, and other forms of communication to get our message in the media and heard by decision-makers and the public. Represent Environment America with reporters.
• Campaign strategy: Develop campaign plans and tactics. Work creatively with our state and national leadership.
• Events: Organize webinars, community events and public meetings, including events that connect the public to opportunities to learn more about our oceans, and how best they can act to protect these special places. Recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
• Staff recruitment and management: Build our team by recruiting and managing interns and participating in staff recruitment efforts. Potential to train and oversee staff.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have excellent writing and public speaking skills; at least two years of professional full-time experience in organizing, advocacy, campaigning or legislative work; be a team player; and have the passion and grit to do what it takes to get the work done. Top candidates will also have these qualities:

• Up for a challenge. You have a bold vision of a greener world, but you know that lasting change–especially in gridlocked Washington, D.C.--often comes one challenging step at a time. You work hard to achieve your goals, whether that means hours of calling activists or monitoring middle-of-the-night Senate votes.
• Ready to build a movement. The progress we’re seeking can't be won in a single policy or election. You’re excited to meet with Democrats, Republicans, business owners, seafood companies, surfers, anglers and anyone else you think might share our love of the deep blue.
• Organized and strategic. You can make plans for long‑term success. You can balance multiple competing goals and policy priorities.

Details

Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual compensation range for this position is $41,750-$46,000 for a candidate with 2-5 years of experience. Candidates on the lower 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. Environment America offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, 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

This position could be based in Boston, MA; Oakland, CA; or Portland, OR; or Washington, D.C.

Why work with Environment America? Check out 10 reasons: https://EnvironmentAmerica.org/why-work-with-us/

Our Mission and Values

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

Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.

Environment America is an equal opportunity employer.