Communications Officer

Who We Are

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), founded in 1991, is an international climate organization with a mission to create equitable, climate change solutions around the world. We do this by forming collaborative, people-focused partnerships that support communities disproportionately impacted by the global climate crisis. For more than 30 years, ISC has utilized a unique, bottom-up approach to ensure solutions emerge from within communities, rather than being imposed from the outside. Our projects focus on disinvested communities throughout the world, with specific attention paid to the impact systemic racism and gender inequity has had in communities, workforces, and industrial sectors as they move toward a just transition.

Through a deep understanding of and commitment to communities that are the least likely to cause global climate change yet face the highest impacts, Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) develops creative and inclusive solutions, demonstrated in our work in the US and across Asia in China, India, the Mekong, and Bangladesh. We seek resiliency for our partners and the communities in which they lead.

We actively partner with frontline organizations, subnational governments, and the private sector to co-create programs that support disinvested communities, women, and people experiencing poverty who comprise the global majority. ISC remains cognizant of communities' varying needs, and we tailor our approach to support those needs. We believe equity and inclusion are fundamental to building healthy, prosperous, and peaceful communities and are committed to furthering equitable climate action. Learn more at sustain.org.

Communications Officer

ISC is a leading organization helping neighborhoods, cities, and regions across the United States to accelerate practical and equitable climate solutions. The Communications Officer is a member of the Communications Department and will primarily be working on ISC’s new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC), funded by the U.S. EPA and DOE, on various communications, outreach, and marketing needs. The Communications officer will collaborate effectively with their peers on ISC’s EJ TCTAC team.

This position is part of a growing team at a time of pivotal transformation for the organization. We have a new strategic plan guiding the next three years of our work and our renewed commitment to providing world class programs and elevating ISC’s brand. The successful candidate will be familiar with climate change, environmental and sustainability issues, racial discrimination, systemic and institutional barriers to participation by disinvested communities, and an ability to connect the stories of communities and population groups disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. The Communications Officer will also demonstrate creativity; a strong work ethic; attention to detail; outstanding writing, editing, and project management skills; and the ability to thrive both in a team and in working independently.

What You’ll Do

• Support ISC as one of three national EJ TCTACs and assisting with the implementation of a strategic communications plan that achieves the objectives of our workplan developed in coordination with our EPA program team members, partners, and other EJ TCTAC national and regional partners.
• Collaborate with Communications leadership and the U.S. EPA Program team to develop content and support creative execution to provide consistent, targeted, and impactful messaging for all ISC EJ TCTAC communications deliverables.
• Serve as a thought partner in the development, distribution, and growth of ISC EJ TCTAC newsletters, tools, announcements, blogs, etc., to a wide variety of audiences, including regional EJ TCTACs, community-based organizations, government agencies, and others. Support engagement metrics tracking and analysis.
• Establish interview protocols and conduct interviews with regional TCTACs and related partners, technical assistance providers, utilizers of TA, etc. to develop articles, blogs, stories, etc.
• Develop content in partnership with the Senior Communications Officer and Atma Connect for the new EJ TCTAC website platform.
• Develop content for and manage social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram) in close collaboration with ISC's Senior Communications Officer and in consultation with the Communications Digital Specialist.
• Create graphics and imagery appropriate for social media, website, and email marketing campaigns.
• Make recommendations on opportunities to produce OpEds, blogs, articles, etc. to help build awareness about the national TCTAC platform, social media, etc.
• Manage the execution of measurable, audience-centric outreach strategies and tactical plans designed to connect external stakeholders to the national and regional TCTACs.
• Compile information from the regional TCTACs to help feed to the national TCTAC social media channels, website platform, etc.

What You’ll Bring

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, in particular, the ability to convey complex topics clearly and concisely
• Strong proofreading and editing skills
• Experience executing social media outreach campaigns across platforms
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills
• Direct education or experience in communications supporting urban policy issues relevant to ISC's mission and those similar to the EPA EJ TCTAC initiative, including climate change, environmental justice, sustainability, and, equity.
• Thrives in working productively with diverse individuals from differing backgrounds such as government, private sector, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations
• Knowledge of and experience in working with communities of color and those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
• Familiarity with social media management and digital content creation tools - Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Canva, etc.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously and can manage and meet competing deadlines.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate or higher degree in communications, marketing, journalism, etc. or a relevant field. Equivalent experience or qualifications will be considered
• 3 - 5 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or public relations, including nonprofit experience, at least two of which have been in diverse environments working with content that reflects equity as a value
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Prior work experience on federal grants preferred

Location, Work, and Travel

• Location: Remote within the United States. Preference for East Coast
• Work: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and video platforms.
• Travel: Up to 10-15% travel within the US may be required

Application Process

In addition to submitting an application, applicants must submit the following items to jobs@sustain.org in order to be considered for the role.

• A cover letter describing what motivates you and how your interests and experience relate to ISC’s mission.
• A combination of three (3) writing and graphic samples

ISC is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. People from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Compensation

Salary

• $65,000 - $72,000 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance