Overview

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

  • Science in the service of people and the planet.
  • Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
  • Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
  • Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
  • Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions.
  • Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS’s Center for Science and Democracy Program

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is seeking an Outreach Coordinator who will work to implement outreach plans and projects in support of the Center for Science and Democracy’s team with the goal of ensuring elections are safe and secure, allowing voter participation and fair representation to reach its highest levels by protecting the integrity of electoral processes, systems, and technologies. CSD works to ensure equity and meaningful public participation continue to be at the core of our efforts. Vital local voices and ecological knowledge shape our research and advocacy because experience shows that the resulting solutions are fairer, more effective, and more enduring.  Our aim is that the systems, structures, institutions, and practices that govern the American people, places, and environments are evidence-based and serve the broadest public good.

Responsibilities

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

Lead strategic outreach and organizing efforts to advance CSD campaign goals and strategies:

  • Ensure that racial equity and social justice are fundamental considerations in our outreach work.
  •  Contribute to the development of the team’s overall campaign strategy to generate a successful, high-visibility, and high-impact campaign focused on advancing our democracy to one that is healthy, just, equitable, and sustainable.
  •  With the Campaign Manager, conceive, develop, and implement outreach and organizing strategies that engage the UCS supporter base, community partners, and the broader public to influence opinion leaders, elected officials, and other decision-makers. This includes strong promotion of UCS analytic and communications products.
  • Cultivate, engage, and mobilize UCS activists and experts to take online and offline action on campaign tactics. Contributing to UCS’s equitable base-building efforts, seek opportunities to recruit, cultivate, and invest in supporters with racially and geographically diverse identities, as well as issue-based experience and expertise while encouraging participation in CSD campaigns.
  • Organize and participate in webinars, training, convening, and briefings for priority constituencies and targeted decision-makers. Ensure events align with campaign and programmatic goals and strategies.
  • Contact UCS activists and Science Network members via email and phone as part of a range of online and offline engagement activities.
  • Facilitate the program’s strategic and timely response to emerging campaign opportunities, including rapid response opportunities.
  • Represent UCS and the program in select coalition spaces. Maintain and cultivate relationships that will help UCS partner more effectively on issues within the democracy reform space.
  • Participate in external conferences and events to promote UCS and the CSD program, effectively communicating to the public as well as the scientific, expert, and academic community.

Support Advocacy Opportunities:

  • Work with Policy staff to develop outreach approaches and materials tailored to specific legislative and administrative targets.
  • Cultivate, recruit, and train individuals in targeted states to participate in advocacy events.
  • Develop and execute in-district/state outreach activities, including setting meetings with decision-makers and constituents; organizing events; generating letters, calls, and/or social media campaigns directed at decision-makers; and working with UCS communications staff to generate earned media.
  • Engage and cultivate partners and allies in target states, such as BIPOC community leaders, city and local officials, and other decision-makers.

Supports CSD’s public communications, including:

  • Work with the UCS Communications team to implement visibility and engagement tactics including action alert emails, social media graphics, web content, webinars, and guest blogs.
  • Work with the UCS communications team to develop media strategies that bolster outreach efforts and opportunities for positive reporting on UCS’s activities, positions, and experts.
  • Work with the UCS communications team and experts to draft and place letters to the editor and op-eds.

General Responsibilities:

  • Maintains competency in issue areas and outreach expertise. Maintains and updates working knowledge of democracy reform issues. Understands and stays current on the equity dimensions of voting systems and structures. Regularly monitors developments in organizing and online activism and assesses their viability for UCS outreach efforts.
  • Contributes to the overall effective functioning of CSD and UCS. Participates in program and project meetings, cross-organizational meetings, and special organizational efforts. Participates in planning and strategy sessions to develop and achieve campaign goals towards transforming democracy reform to one that is healthy, just, equitable, and sustainable. Tracks effectiveness of outreach activities/projects. Maintains and updates campaign-related databases, documents, and other resources.
  • Maintains awareness of role as representative of UCS; considers the impact of activities on UCS’s reputation and credentials in public and private sectors; directs energies as possible to promote UCS, advance organization objectives, substantiate credibility, nurture relationships with equity-focused coalition partners, and enhance funding opportunities.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Include years of experience and any degrees or education necessary for the position.

May spend extended periods at a computer. Travel may required.

UCS is an equal-opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Details:

  • Completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
  • Work requires three to five years (with two years of successful comparable and relevant experience in an outreach, organizing, campaign, or advocacy position).
  • Must have demonstrated competency in campaign planning and strategy, as well as outreach/organizing, legislative and media strategies, and program coordination.
  • An understanding of basic scientific principles and the ability to quickly digest and translate scientific content for lay audiences is required.
  • Knowledge of democracy reform-related policy issues is helpful. Experience with organizing in and with marginalized communities is preferred; an understanding of racial equity and social justice issues is required.
  • Ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team is necessary.
  • A solid understanding of tools key to effective organizing such as social media, online organizing platforms, and Microsoft Office is required.
  • The position also requires strong writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills, the ability to coordinate collaborative activities and projects, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including representatives of marginalized communities, grassroots coalition partners, and professionals who may be expert and/or prominent in their fields.

Benefits

This is a full-time remote position based in close proximity to UCS’s Washington, DC office. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $65,081-$73,210. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment that is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in-office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.

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