Environmental Advocate

When confronted by the facts and supported by public opinion, corporations can go from being environmental laggards to environmental leaders. Ecopledge was founded to make sure that this change happens as often as possible. Through research, advocacy, public education, and large scale Internet organizing, we are creating a broad grassroots constituency committed to improving corporate environmental behavior. When people sign up with ecopledge, they commit to being a catalyst for change.

Through ecopledge I will join a community of environmentally conscious citizens. We will work together to identify companies that can make specific, practical improvements to their environmental behavior, and we will ask the companies to make those changes. If companies refuse, each member will decide whether to withhold his or her work, dollars, and investments from them. 

The Position: Ecopledge now has the opportunity to expand our work, to reach more people and to influence more companies more quickly. We are therefore seeking two Environmental Advocates to take leadership roles in creating and running corporate environmental campaigns on issues ranging from global warming to the disposal of toxics, from forest preservation to fuel mileage standards. On a day-to-day basis, the Environmental Advocates will engage in the following activities: 

Campaign Strategy - You will research corporate behavior, formulate demands and messages, and develop plans to influence corporate decision-making through a variety of tactics - lobbying, coalition-building, grassroots organizing, shareholder organizing and media publicity. 

Advocacy - You will bring problems and solutions to the attention of decision-makers and those who have their ear, including corporate executives, board members, suppliers, distributors, and customers. You will engage in dialog, and develop relationships and accountability mechanisms, to ensure that the solutions put in place will be lasting and deep. 

Community - You will interact and coordinate with other corporate campaigners, shareholder activists, and legislative advocates to make sure that our efforts are connected to larger systemic changes. You will also work with others to create and implement an online community so that we can increase our e-activist base and foster a broader public understanding of corporate environmental reform. 

Media Outreach - You will serve as a public spokesperson for our corporate environmental campaigns. Through media events, press releases, editorial board meetings and other public relations activities, you will make sure that corporate environmental accountability is at the top of the media agenda, thereby educating a broad constituency about the importance of these issues. 

Fundraising - You will write grant proposals, meet and develop relationships with foundations, and connect with large donors, all to bring more resources to the efforts we're waging to reform corporate environmental behavior. 

Qualifications: We seek applicants who possess a strong commitment to environmental issues, a working knowledge of corporate campaigns, and experience with grant seeking. These positions offer entrepreneurial challenges with considerable reward to the successful candidates and to the citizen movement as a whole. The successful candidates will also bring all or most of the following skills and attributes to the position: 

Strong verbal, writing, interpersonal and analytical skills.
Energy and commitment to a grassroots approach to change.
A team orientation that combines collegiality and creativity with a drive and ability to motivate others.
The ability to speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere.
A willingness to engage in conflict in creative and strategic ways.
Ability to travel. 

Previous campaign and/or advocacy experience, a fighting spirit, and a sense of humor are also required. Candidates for these positions should have four or more years of relevant professional experience. 

Salary & Benefits: Salary for this position is commensurate with the candidate's level of relevant professional experience. A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick days. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.