The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) is a national nonprofit working to reverse today’s extreme levels of corporate concentration and advance policies to rebuild the economic capacity of local communities. We use in-depth research, reporting, and data analysis to produce influential reports and articles. Our work illuminates the public policy decisions that have fueled concentration and shows how we can change the rules to create a more equitable and democratic future. Our analysis is frequently featured in national news media and sought out by policymakers. We work closely with a broad range of allies to move these ideas and policies.

Open Positions

 

Senior Energy Communications Strategist

ILSR seeks a creative and persistent person to lead our Energy Democracy Initiative’s communications strategy. Our goal is to persuade state and local elected officials and staff, state regulatory agencies, and climate and clean energy advocates to adopt principles and practices of energy democracy. Reporting to ILSR’s Communications Director, this person will co-design the Energy Democracy Initiative’s communications strategy, lead implementation of this strategy, and be responsible for ongoing execution of several communications campaigns. Both the Communications team and the Energy Democracy team will consult with and advise the person in this role.

If you’re excited about this position, but feel you don’t meet 100% of the requirements or preferred qualifications, please apply — we are looking for exceptional candidates, not candidates that check boxes.

 

Responsibilities, in order of importance:

  1. Co-design the Energy Democracy Initiative’s communications strategy, including identifying the new tools we need to develop (e.g. presentations, social media graphics) and the tactics (e.g earned or paid media, webinars, etc) for reaching our target audiences
  2. Be responsible for implementing the communications strategy, in consultation with the Energy Democracy Initiative director and team (e.g. set up and schedule webinars, social media campaigns, pitch commentaries)
  3. Ensure completion of specific projects, from creating fact sheets to social media to placing commentaries to audio and visual initiatives (skill in each area is not required, but management of the process is required)
  4. Identify the Initiative’s remaining capacity gaps in executing communications strategy and identify ways to fill them via professional development, contracting, or other methods
  5. Develop creative and non-traditional approaches to communications of climate and energy issues to our audiences, such as parodying utility advertisements 
  6. Other tasks as assigned by the Communications Director or Energy Democracy Initiative Director

This is a full-time, remote (continental United States) work opportunity, with flexible scheduling. A company-issued computer with reasonable software, hardware, and accommodations can be provided.

 

 A successful candidate will:

  • Share our passion for countering corporate monopolies and building community power, and our commitment to racial equity as a necessary ingredient to advancing economic justice and freedom
  • Enjoy experimentation, occasional failure, and learning from mistakes (with data!)
  • Thrive when doing their own work well and in helping others be more effective in their communications 
  • Understand how this work requires a campaign mindset: that we must persuade people to succeed, and that we have opponents and obstacles

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in designing and being responsible for a communications campaign or strategy, including having decision-making authority over its shape, duration, and components, preferably over multiple campaigns
  • At least five years of experience in communications, reflecting an ability to translate complex ideas into persuasive messages, using a variety of media, and for a variety of audiences
  • Experience with public policy advocacy, especially if it includes work or communications with our target audiences: state and local elected officials and staff, state regulatory agencies, and climate and clean energy advocates
  • Experience in communications related to renewable energy or climate change policy
  • Experience with the tools our communications team relies on: Google Workspace, Dropbox, Mailchimp, Hootsuite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Asana, and WordPress

 

Compensation:

This position is full-time and can be done remotely or based in an ILSR office in Minneapolis, MN (where the Energy Democracy team is based); Portland, ME; or Washington, DC (where the Communications Director is based). Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $72,000 to $90,000 depending on years of relevant experience. The position includes 100% employer-paid health plan (you pay no premiums); generous vacation, holiday and parental leave; and a retirement plan available immediately with a matching contribution after two years of employment. We are a dynamic and friendly team dedicated to making the world a better place. ILSR takes professional growth seriously.

This is a bargaining unit position with salary and benefits subject to collective bargaining, represented by OPEIU Local 12.

 

How to Apply:

Please email a cover letter addressed to Reggie Rucker, your résumé, and a sample of your persuasive writing to hiring@ilsr.org. Please submit all materials as a single PDF.

  • The subject line of the email should say “Application for Senior Energy Communications Strategist.” 
  • The cover letter should be no longer than 400 words, should mention how you learned about the position, and should explain how your experience demonstrates your fit for this role. 

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until this position is filled. Check ILSR’s website for updated information.

ILSR welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We encourage qualified applicants of all ages, racial, economic, social, and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, gender expressions, national origins, and veteran statuses to apply.

 

Additional Opportunities from Our Coalition Partners

Join our coalition to challenge the most powerful corporation on the planet!

Athena is a nationwide coalition of 50+ organizations dedicated to defeating unchecked corporate power and advancing a democracy that represents us all. Our attention is focused squarely on Amazon, which exemplifies the dangers of corporate power: an erosion of worker rights and protections, hollowing out of local economies, an expanding police state, and undermining of critical social and economic institutions and policy. We bring together the most creative and dedicated corporate campaigners, researchers, policy advocates, and organizers from across the country into powerful campaigns.

Our coalition partners are racial justice and worker organizations, think tanks and public policy advocacy organizations, and grassroots groups around the country — and together we are building a popular movement to rein in corporate power and ensure that the rules of our economy are set by we the people, not by the biggest corporations in the world.

You’d be joining a great campaign team and a visionary coalition! 

 

Open Positions: 

 

Interested candidates should email with your resume and cover letter to jobs (at) athenaforall.org.

Please share widely with friends and colleagues!

 

ILSR is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ILSR is committed to providing employees with a welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment. ILSR is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.