Public Interest Lobbyist

Clean Air. Clean Water. Lower Prescription Drug Prices

If these are goals that you''d like to spend everyday working to achieve, and you''d like to do this in a state where you can immediately have an impact, read on.

The Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group (RIPIRG) is looking to hire a Public Interest Lobbyist who would focus on environmental and consumer policy in Rhode Island, especially in the areas of energy, prescription drugs and health care.

RIPIRG has 1,000 citizen members throughout Rhode Island, a staff of two people and a national lobbying office in Washington, DC to cover federal issues. RIPIRG has been active in Rhode Island on state level issues for the past three years, and are part of a network of state PIRGs which have been achieving social change nationwide for over 30 years. RIPIRG is already well known throughout the state for our work to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency in Rhode Island. From Newport to Woonsocket, we''ve been working to protect the environment, fighting for consumers and making government and businesses more accountable.

Job Description:The Public Interest Lobbyist with RIPIRG will develop campaigns that make a difference on pressing issues such as:

- Increasing renewable energy in Rhode Island through state purchasing and passing a renewable energy standard.
- Creating energy efficiency standards for common appliances
- Passing a state-run prescription drug buying pool which would bring prescription drug prices down for uninsured Rhode Islanders.

We seek a talented individual who will bring creative ideas and gumption to the environmental and consumer challenges that face Rhode Island.

On a day-to-day basis, the Public Interest Lobbyist will do the following:

Advocacy- Bring problems/solutions to the attention of decision-makers-including state legislators, people in the Executive branch, environmental agency staff and local officials.

Campaign Strategy- Create a plan to win on our public interest campaigns; strategize how to gain political support for our agenda through coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media publicity, endorsements and message development.

Media Outreach- Serve as the public spokesperson for our public interest campaigns -through media events, press releases, editorial board meetings and other PR tactics.

Fundraising- Write grant proposals, impress foundations with a public interest mission to support our work, and meet with large donors, all to bring more resources to efforts we''re waging to protect Rhode Islands'' environment and consumers.

Policy Development- Develop new policy areas for RIPIRG to tackle. Analyze and create new issue areas based on current political situations and hot issues that arise in the state.

Qualifications: Passion. Persistence. We''re looking for a goal-driven and results-oriented individual who is committed to the public interest, someone with leadership skills and initiative, and the verbal and written skills necessary to make the case that protecting the public interest must be a top priority. Candidates should have 3 to 8 years of relevant professional experience, post-college, including (but not limited to) work in political, policy, legal, journalistic or government settings.

Salary and Benefits: Salary for this position is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has. 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.