Senior Organizer
Union of Concerned Scientists, United States

Center for Science and Democracy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Washington D.C. or Cambridge, MA

The Position

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problemsfrom 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.

The Center for Science and Democracy (CSD) at UCS advocates for the role of independent science and civic participation in public policy. We work on a wide range of issues including scientific integrity, environmental justice, chemical safety, democracy reform and regulatory policy. We also strive to build a movement of scientist activists to advocate for science-based public policies that are just, equitable and protective of public health, safety, and the environment for all people. We do this through the UCS Science Network, which is home to thousands of scientists, engineers, economists, public health specialists, and other experts throughout the country who want to put their knowledge to work in protecting our health, safety, and environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate campaign engagement strategies that advance policy change on issues of environmental justice, democracy reform, and equitable public health and safety protections.
• Develop online and offline grassroots and grasstops organizing strategies and tactics to cultivate activists, scientists, and partners towards our change-making goals. This includes leadership development and dynamic action opportunities that cultivate advocates who share our equity values and supporting their ability to take ownership of local engagement on CSD campaigns, tailored to their state or region.
• Foster and manage collaborations to work closely with both national coalition and local partners in targeted locations that harnesses our unique strengths to build collective power for campaign goals and take the lead from those on the frontlines. Lead efforts to build partnerships with Latinx advocacy groups with shared issue interests, and develop bilingual products, tools, and engagement opportunities directly responsive to partners’ needs.
• Lead our evolving approach to cultivation, training, and leadership development that fosters scientists as advocates, partners, and local leaders to help grow the movement for equity-grounded scientist activism.
• Create engagement and political education materials that inspire and guide action on our campaigns and in support of our partners, including action alert emails, fact sheets, talking points, social media content, and action guides.
• Work closely with a team of research, policy, and communications efforts that harnesses the collective strength of the diversity of perspectives and expertise towards our campaign impact.
• Help sustain the CSD Organizing Team’s culture of collaboration, creativity, and collective growth by actively participating in opportunities for learning and critical reflection on our work and impact, integration of our values in our practices, and support of one another’s development as organizers.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Position requires five to seven years of relevant and comparable experience in an outreach, organizing, campaign, or advocacy position. Ability to conceive, plan, and implement effective campaigns and initiatives to develop advocate leaders is a must.

Advocacy experience and experience building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies such as scientists, policymakers, and grassroots activists, with an emphasis on racial/social justice organizations is strongly preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills, and personnel/team management skills, are also required, including a commitment to transparency and inclusivity. The ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team is essential. Fluency in in the Spanish language strongly preferred.

Little or no exertion required. May spend extended periods at computer. Some travel 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 in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse ba

Job Rewards and Benefits