Associate for Policy and Outreach Programs

~ Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. (PSI) is a national, membership-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing the health and environmental impacts of consumer products. ~

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., PSI takes a unique approach to solving waste management problems by bringing together key stakeholders with conflicting interests to develop product stewardship solutions in a collaborative manner, with a focus on having manufacturers assume primary financial and managerial responsibility.

With a robust membership base of 47 state governments, along with hundreds of local governments from coast-to-coast, and more than 110 companies, organizations, universities, and non-U.S. governments, we work to design, implement, evaluate, strengthen, and promote both legislative and voluntary product stewardship initiatives across North America. For more information, please visit our website.

Position Overview 

The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) seeks a
passionate, self-motivated, highly organized individual with strong project
management, communications, and leadership skills to join our team of dedicated,
collaborative environmental stewards. This is an excellent opportunity to be part
of a fast-paced organization that has been at the forefront of the product stewardship
movement in the U.S. for the past 15 years. 

PSI works with diverse stakeholders to reduce the
health, environmental, and economic impacts of a wide array of consumer products including
paint, carpet, mattresses, thermostats, batteries, electronics, packaging, and
pharmaceuticals. Best known for our collaborative approach to developing both
voluntary and legislated solutions to recycling and waste management issues,
PSI has a long history of successes, including:   

• Conceived
  of, and facilitated, the multi-stakeholder dialogue process that led to the first industry-run paint recycling program
  in the country, now operating by law in eight states and the District of
  Columbia;
• Initiated
  the national discussion on e-waste management that resulted in electronics recycling laws in 25 states;
• With
  Staples and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, piloted the first voluntary retail-based computer recycling program in
  the country, which became a model for Best Buy and related programs;
• Helped
  Connecticut develop and pass the first
  mattress recycling law in the U.S., becoming a model for similar laws
  passed in California and Rhode Island; and
• Led a
  national coalition that changed the
  federal law and subsequent regulations to allow pharmacies to collect controlled
  prescription drugs, increasing consumer convenience and lowering costs. 

Responsibilities 

The Associate
for Policy and Outreach Programs will play a central support and coordination role
both within the organization and among PSI's members and partners. 

• This person will
  coordinate and help facilitate state-based product stewardship councils;
• Track
  the development and passage of product stewardship legislation;
• Help conduct
  research, analyze data, develop educational resources, and write impactful
  reports;
• Liaise with PSI's
  members and partners to ensure a high level of engagement and satisfaction;
• Maintain PSI's contact and membership databases;
• Help design and execute
  outreach campaigns to promote specific product stewardship policies and
  programs; and
• Help implement PSI's ongoing outreach and communications
  activities including newsletters, blogs, social media, and educational webinars. 

Qualifications & Requirements 

• Bachelor's
  Degree in an environmental discipline, or in a communications discipline with
  demonstrated commitment to and experience in environmental issues and policy.
• Positive "can do" attitude and ability to work
  well independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and solve problems
  creatively in a fast-paced organization with numerous priorities.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal
  skills, including exceptional writing and the ability to translate ideas into
  clear, concise, and compelling newsletters, presentations, blogs, reports, and
  proposals; and effortless ability to communicate orally, by phone and in person
  to existing and potential clients.
• Ability to work professionally, collaboratively,
  and objectively with representatives from government, industry, environmental
  groups, and those with other stakeholder interests.
• Full working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and
  PowerPoint required. Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop/InDesign/Illustrator,
  Constant Contact, and WebEx strongly preferred.
• Experience facilitating groups in person and over
  the telephone strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of voluntary and regulatory product
  stewardship and EPR programs preferred. 

Additional Information about PSI

Mission and Vision: At PSI,
we envision a society in which consumer product manufacturers take primary
responsibility for the environmental, health, and economic impacts of their
products all across their lifecycle-particularly at the end of a product's
intended usefulness.

When manufacturers are required, by law, to design,
manufacture, and manage their products in environmentally responsible ways, the
result will be products that are less toxic and less hazardous. Additionally,
local taxpayers and governments will be relieved of the financial and
operational burdens of materials collection and management. 

PSI works with diverse stakeholders to reduce the health, environmental, and economic impacts of a wide array of consumer products including paint, carpet, mattresses, thermostats, batteries, electronics, packaging, and pharmaceuticals. Best known for our collaborative approach to developing both voluntary and legislated solutions to recycling and waste management issues, PSI has a long history of successes, including: 

• Conceived of, and facilitated, the multi-stakeholder dialogue process that led to the first industry-run paint recycling program in the country, now operating by law in eight states and the District of Columbia;
• Initiated the national discussion on e-waste management that resulted in electronics recycling laws in 25 states;
• With Staples and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, piloted the first voluntary retail-based computer recycling program in the country, which became a model for Best Buy and related programs;
• Helped Connecticut develop and pass the first mattress recycling law in the U.S., becoming a model for similar laws passed in California and Rhode Island; and
• Led a national coalition that changed the federal law and subsequent regulations to allow pharmacies to collect controlled prescription drugs, increasing consumer convenience and lowering costs.  

Compensation: Salary is $40,000 to $50,000, commensurate with experience (includes a generous benefits package). 

To Apply 

• Please use the email address below (with subject
  line "Associate for Policy and Outreach Programs") to send a cover letter, resume, and at
  least two writing samples (one research report and one shorter piece).
• Applications received without writing samples will not be
  considered. Additional work samples welcome.
• Deadline for applications is August 6, 2016, with a start date of late August / early September.

~ The Product Stewardship Institute,
Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and provider. ~