Oceans Associate

Environment America; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 38,250 - 39,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Time off

401(k) plan with employer match

Parental leave

Long-term disability insurance

Needs-based student loan assistance

Excellent training program

Job summary

Environment America is seeking an Oceans Associate to spearhead campaigns aimed at protecting oceans and ocean wildlife. This entry-level role will involve organizing events, lobbying decision-makers, and building coalitions. Ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to the environment, excellent writing skills, and leadership experience. The target annual compensation ranges from $38,250 to $39,500, and an excellent benefits package is included. Locations considered include Oakland, CA, among others. Applications are accepted for a summer or fall 2026 start date.

Qualifications

• Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Expect to take a campaign and run with it with training and oversight.

Responsibilities

• Work with coalitions to build support for campaigns.
• Organize community events and public meetings.
• Earn media attention through news conferences.
• Lobby decision-makers on ocean protection.
• Win public support through community-building projects.
• Recruit volunteers and interns.
• Run a campaign office during the summer.

Skills

Leadership experience

Top-notch writing skills

Public speaking skills

Commitment to protecting the environment

Humility

Eagerness to learn

Job description

Environment America is hiring an Oceans Associate to work on campaigns to protect oceans and ocean wildlife.

Our oceans are awe-inspiring and vital. Dolphins and seals surf the waves, sea turtles patrol the reefs, and the last great whales migrate up and down our coasts. And yet, human actions are putting oceans at risk. Marine life and their habitats are suffering, with profound consequences for the health of our oceans and the planet.

Responsibilities

The Oceans Associate will work on campaigns to protect our oceans—campaigns such as opposing drilling and mining in our oceans, protecting vulnerable ocean life including Right Whales and sea otters, and organizing support for permanently protecting special ocean habitats. Beyond your own campaign, you may be called on to help other teams on priority campaigns and tactics, ranging from clean energy to clean water to right to repair. This position requires excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Representative responsibilities include:

• Work with coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to coordinate and build support for our campaigns.
• Organize events and work with volunteers. Organize community events and public meetings. Recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
• Earn media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Lobby decision-makers: Coordinate strategy with champions in Congress, state legislatures, or federal and state agencies. Make a convincing case to decision-makers who are undecided on a particular vote. When a critical vote is happening, work to demonstrate the support you’ve generated.
• Win hearts and minds: Some of the work is not about winning an immediate vote in Congress or passing a bill in a state legislature; it''s about doing the long-term work of winning over more public support for protecting oceans. This could include hosting movie screenings and art exhibits about marine life, working with commercial fishermen and conservationists together to learn from each other, and other community-building projects to bring more attention to the future of our oceans.
• Recruit new people to your team: Help build your team by recruiting volunteers, interns and full-time staff.
• Running a campaign office for the summer: Run a campaign office for the summer, knocking on doors to raise money to support our campaigns, build our organization and membership, and generate critical and timely grassroots support to win key campaigns. Your responsibilities will include meeting your own fundraising goals and managing a team of paid staff. 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 a campaign and run with it, we provide training and oversight by an experienced advocate. Ideal candidates have a commitment to protecting the environment and a love of nature, as well as leadership experience, top-notch writing and public speaking skills, humility and an eagerness to learn.

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual compensation for this position is $38,250-$39,500. 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.

Locations

Environment America has offices across the country and we would consider hiring an Ocean Campaign Associate in one of the following offices: Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; Atlanta, GA; Oakland, CA; Portland, OR or Anchorage, AK. Please state your location interests on our application form.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for a summer or fall 2026 start date.

Apply

Fill out our application on our website.

About Environment America

Environment America has one mission: to protect the natural world.

We advocate ideas and actions to guide our country onto a greener, healthier path. Our network of 30 state environmental groups promotes clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. Our members put grassroots support behind our research, public education, advocacy and litigation.

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 better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit the core values page for information 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 and will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.