Associate Press Secretary, Beyond Coal Campaign

~ The Beyond Coal Campaign's main objective is to replace dirty coal with clean energy by mobilizing grassroots activists in local communities to advocate for the retirement of old and outdated coal plants and to prevent new coal plants from being built. ~

Coal is an outdated, backward, and dirty 19th-century technology.

Not only is coal burning responsible for one third of US carbon emissions-the main contributor to climate disruption-but it is also making us sick, leading to as many as 13,000 premature deaths every year and more than $100 billion in annual health costs. 

Our goals include: 

• Retiring one-third of the nation's more than 500 coal plants by 2020
• Replacing the majority of retired coal plants with clean energy solutions such as wind, solar, and geothermal
• Keeping coal in the ground in places like Appalachia and Wyoming's Powder River Basin 

Position Overview  

This role develops relationships with regional and national reporters and producers, pitches and places stories. Serves as a Sierra Club spokesperson. Responsible for creating materials to support campaign objectives. Oversees editorial production process for communication materials, including print, television, radio and web advertisements, reports, opinion pieces press releases, and other reporter outreach.

The position also provides strategic communication planning and oversight for Sierra Club local, regional and national campaigns including major Climate Recovery Partnership campaigns (Beyond Coal) and all other programs.

Scope: 

The Associate Press Secretary acts as a liaison between the media team and issue team staff to plan and carry out communication strategies. Also serves as a liaison between the Sierra Club and key media contacts, to develop relationships that advance the Sierra Club's media coverage, serving regularly as a spokesperson. Serves as Sierra Club representative to key partners. Researches and prepares reports for release to media, writes media messages, op-eds, press releases, talking points and other materials, and coordinates media events as necessary. 

Responsibilities  

• Oversees strategy and messaging and materials development for the Beyond Coal Western region efforts-serving as liaison across various teams and committees.
• Works with the Climate Recovery campaign staff and volunteers to develop the concept for reports to release at press conferences and other appropriate media events. Oversees the researching and writing of those reports.
• Handles rapid response communication, developing messages and writing op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points and other media materials. Creates strategic media responses to published comments regarding Sierra Club campaigns and to the positions of politicians, institutions or groups.
• Crafts long-term strategic vehicles for promoting Sierra Club messages and stories, including but not limited to writing letters to the editor, reports op-eds, radio actualities, press releases, fact sheets, and talking points.
• Collaborates with Regional Communication Managers, Deputy Communications Directors, Communications Director, other Associate Press Secretaries, web, magazine, and online staff and outside consultants to provide assistance and guidance to the issue team and the volunteer committee in developing a long-range media strategy.
• Develops relationships with regional and national reporters and pitches stories to those reporters.
• Performs research and analysis using a variety of resources to craft appropriate media messages, write press releases, opinion editorials and other materials.
• Trains and coaches staff and volunteers in media skills. 
• Contributes to staff strategy meetings, and stays current on substantive and political developments in major conservation campaigns by reading latest literature, attending meetings and maintaining contact with relevant sources.
• Advises and assists communication staff to pitch other Sierra Club messages, events and reactions to the working press as needed.
• Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned. 

Qualifications  

Knowledge and Skills: 

• B.A. degree in communication, journalism, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience 
• 3 years prior experience as a journalist, media liaison or other position involving media/press relations 
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills 
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental issues and national politics 
• Ability to interact cooperatively effectively with staff, volunteers and the public 
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure 

Note: This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Sierra Employee Alliance. 

Compensation: The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan. This is a category 5 exempt position. 

Sierra Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. 

~ Explore, enjoy and protect the planet ~