Utility Accountability Advocate
The Public Interest Network
·Today
- Salary
- $42k – $46k/yr
- Location
- US
- Type
- Full-time
- Seniority
- Mid
- Experience
- 2+ years
Description
Utility Accountability Advocate
Department: Program
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Multiple Locations
Reporting To: Abe Scarr
Compensation: $41,750 - $46,000 / year
Description
PIRG is hiring an advocate to work with our staff in states across the country to rein in wasteful gas utility spending and facilitate the transition to safer, cleaner energy. Over the past 15 years, gas utilities have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into pipe replacement programs. This spending is driving up monthly gas bills while threatening to lock customers into paying for fossil fuel infrastructure for generations to come.
Utilities justify this spending as necessary to ensure public safety, but the data show no discernable impact on system safety. PIRG and its state affiliates are running effective campaigns in multiple jurisdictions to end these wasteful pipe replacement programs and the public policies that incentivize them.
We are hiring an experienced advocate to bolster our existing efforts and expand our campaign to new states.
Key Responsibilities
The Utility Accountability Advocate will develop and run campaigns to end public policies incentivizing wasteful gas utility spending and to directly challenge specific utility pipe replacement programs. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Coalition building: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to build support for our goals, including unlikely allies who might agree with us on one issue, even if we disagree on other issues.
- Organize events: Organize webinars, community events and public meetings. Recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
- Advocacy: Take our solutions directly to key decision-makers in state legislatures, Governors’ offices, Public Utility Commissions, and other forums where we could advocate for ending wasteful gas utility spending.
- Media Outreach: Serve as the spokesperson for our campaigns through media events, press releases and opinion writing. Keep abreast of important utility issues and raise the profile of wasteful gas utility spending and our campaign goals in the media.
- Campaign strategy: Assess opportunities for building political support for our agenda through coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media coverage and message development.
- Program development: Evaluate new research on the issue, identify viable solutions and propose political strategy and messaging.
- Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff and meet with major donors.
- Staff recruitment and development: Build our team by recruiting and managing interns and participating in staff recruitment efforts. Potential to train and oversee staff.
Qualifications
Candidates must have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to citizen-based social change, as well as a track record of leadership. In addition top candidates will also have these qualities:
- Understand the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns.
- Creative and effective at solving complex problems; a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities.
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
- A connector and good listener with a track record of bringing people together around a common goal; willing and interested in working with people who think differently than you.
- Well-organized and able to work on multiple legislative and administrative proposals at once.
- Fundraising experience, particularly in grant-seeking from charitable foundations.
- Able to travel regularly and be motivated to work when needed, which may sometimes be in the evenings and on weekends.
Experience working on utility or energy issues is preferred but not necessary.
Details
Compensation and Benefits
The starting compensation range for someone with 2-5 years of relevant professional experience is $41,750-$46,000. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. PIRG offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.
Locations
This position could be based in Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Washington, D.C.; or Philadelphia, PA.
Why work with PIRG? Check out 10 reasons: https://pirg.org/why-work-with-us/
Our Mission and Values
PIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a new future and a strategic approach to change. Visit https://pirg.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.
Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.
PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.
Skills
Public Speaking