Background
The Great Lakes are an unparalleled natural
wonder consisting of 20% of the world’s fresh surface water. They are the lifeblood of our region –
economically and environmentally. Yet,
the Great Lakes
face great peril. Powerful industries,
runaway development and our ever increasing demand for water continue to
pollute the Great Lakes
basin and exploit its resources. To
respond to this threat and demand action in the public interest, Environment
Michigan, Environment Illinois, PennEnvironment, WiSPIRG, and Ohio PIRG have
joined together to form a Great Lakes Program.
Job Description
The State PIRGs and State
Environment Groups are looking to hire a Great Lakes
Advocate to develop and continue policy campaigns to protect the waters of the Great Lakes in Michigan and around the region.
On a day-to-day basis, the Great Lakes Advocate will do the following:
Advocacy: Bringing problems/solutions to the attention of decision-makers-including legislators, people in the Executive branch, environmental agency staff and local officials.
Campaign Strategy: Create a plan to win on our environmental 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 Great Lakes campaigns -through media events, press releases, editorial board meetings and other PR tactics.
Fundraising: Write grant proposals, impress foundations with an environmental mission to support our work, and meet with large donors, all to bring more resources to our efforts to protect the Great Lakes.
Policy Development: Developing new policy areas for us to tackle. Analyzing and creating new issue areas based on current political situations and hot issues that arise in the state or region.
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
or Chicago, IL
Qualifications
Candidates must be deeply passionate
about protecting the environment and persistent in the face of challenges.
We're looking for someone with leadership skills and initiative, and the verbal
and written skills necessary to make the case that protecting the Great Lakes 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 & Benefits
Salary for this position is
commensurate with relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. 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.
Application
Click here to use our online application form.