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 disinformation, 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 to promote a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.
   

UCS’s Food & Environment Program

The Position

Working with multi-disciplinary teams across UCS and the Food and Environment program (F&E), the Outreach Coordinator works to conceive, design, coordinate, and implement outreach plans and projects in support of F&E’s goal of transforming our food and agricultural system into one that is healthy, just, and sustainable. Responsibilities include leading and participating in strategic outreach and organizing efforts to influence public policy, corporate, and consumer decisions; engaging UCS supporters, experts, and coalition partners in F&E’s issues and campaigns; expanding and mobilizing UCS networks of experts and grass tops leaders; and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the F&E program and its campaigns and projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:
 

• Lead strategic outreach and organizing efforts to advance Food and Environment campaign goals and outcomes, ensuring that racial equity and social justice are fundamental considerations in this work.
• With the Campaign Manager, conceive, develop, and implement outreach strategies that engage public constituencies and influence opinion leaders, decision makers, and elected officials, including strong promotion of major UCS analytic and communications products.
• Organize and participate in a range of educational, training, and engagement events for target constituencies, experts, and decision makers, and ensure events align with campaign and programmatic goals and outcomes.
• Facilitate the program’s strategic and timely response to emerging campaign developments and rapid response opportunities, involving supporters and experts through online and offline actions as possible and appropriate.
• Track effectiveness of outreach activities/projects and maintain and update campaign-related databases, documents, and other resources.
• Represent UCS and the program in coalition spaces and at external conferences and events to maintain and cultivate relationships with UCS partners, promote UCS and F&E, and recruit new experts and partner organizations to join our work.
• Expand, engage, and mobilize a diverse set of experts and grass tops leaders.
• Conduct strategic outreach and high-level engagement of key constituencies, including food and agriculture experts, relevant business leaders, and leaders and representatives of BIPOC and other affected communities.
• Identify meaningful ways to engage relevant experts, recruit for the UCS Science Network, and prioritize outreach to experts from diverse backgrounds, and develop and execute plans to maintain and deepen their participation within F&E campaigns.
• Recruit and train Science Network members interested in organizing local constituencies for concerted action campaigns in target states and districts.
• Contribute outreach and organizing expertise and work collaboratively to ensure the overall effectiveness of the F&E program and its campaigns and projects.
• Contribute to the development of the team’s overall campaign strategy to generate a successful, high visibility, and high impact campaign focused on transforming the food system to one that is healthy, just, equitable, and sustainable.
• Participate in program and project meetings, cross-organizational meetings, and planning and strategy sessions to develop and achieve campaign goals.
• Collaborate with UCS and F&E government affairs staff to develop outreach approaches and materials tailored to specific legislative targets.
• Connect F&E scientists and analysts and their work to scientists and organizations representing BIPOC and marginalized communities to ensure UCS products are informed by their experiences and insight.
• Support the UCS Communications team in developing media strategies and materials to bolster advocacy campaigns, outreach and recruiting efforts, and UCS or partner-led events.
• Maintain competency in issue areas and outreach expertise.
• Maintain and update working knowledge of food and agriculture science and policy issues and the development of the food movement in the US.
• Understand and stay current on the equity dimensions of food and agriculture issues.
• Regularly monitor developments in organizing and on-line activism and assess their viability for UCS outreach efforts.
   

People Management Authority

None.

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies and others.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Work requires:
 

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Three to five years (with two years of successful comparable and relevant experience in an outreach, organizing, campaign, or advocacy position) with a 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.
• Ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• A solid understanding of tools key to effective organizing such as social media, online organizing platforms, and Microsoft Office
• Strong writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and 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.
• Experience with organizing in and with marginalized communities and an understanding of racial equity and social justice issues in the food system.
   

Work Schedule

Regular office hours with occasional nights and weekends.

Travel Requirements

Some overnight travel is required. Travel equals up to 20% of time.

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. 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 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.

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time remote position based near UCS’s Washington DC office. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $65,081 to $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.

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 which 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 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. The 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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