Union of Concerned Scientists

Director

• Provide leadership, guidance, and coordination of UCS strategies
• Lead and support organization-wide strategic initiatives
• Provide counsel to senior leadership on scientific and strategic issues
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key scientists and science policy experts
• Represent UCS in prominent scientific and policy spaces
• Advise senior leadership on opportunities to strengthen UCS’s networks
• Contribute to peer-reviewed literature as appropriate
• Ensure effective representation of UCS's scientific work in development activities

Director, Science Policy

Chief of Staff

• Under the supervision of UCS’s President, strategically coordinates information flow and decision-making at the Executive Team (ET) level and provides strategic support to the President and the Board.
• The Chief of Staff coordinates and supports the executive team and leadership team's efforts and organizational decision-making to ensure the right people are acting on the right priorities at the right time.
• The Chief of Staff exhibits an instinct for “seeing around the corner” to anticipate and address issues before they emerge, while ensuring the appropriate delegation of responsibilities to relevant Executive Team members and Program Directors.
• The Chief of Staff supports and provides policy and legislative guidance to the UCS President to ensure she is focusing on the highest-priority activities for UCS, and supports her in integrating UCS’s scientific expertise, so she is well-prepared for her interactions with key external stakeholders.
• The Chief of Staff serves as the primary liaison to the Board, supporting their regular meetings.
• The Chief of Staff oversees the administrative and operational staff, as well as the budget, of the Executive Department.

Communications

• Serve as the media point person for one or more UCS campaigns and jump on media opportunities across issue areas.• Develop and implement strategies and tactics to maximize earned media visibility for UCS, its experts, and products.• Develop proactive and reactive media strategies and create a calendar of activities to obtain ongoing visibility in online, print, radio, TV, video, and podcasts.• Develop cross-channel ideas (social media, digital ads, blog posts) to leverage for earned media.• Represent UCS campaigns in coalition media efforts and assist with coalition messages/media strategy.• Write, edit, and distribute media material including press releases, op-eds, factsheets, pitch memos, letters to the editor, backgrounders, and social media posts.• Stay on top of messaging research and polling; develop messaging documents and talking points with program staff.• Establish and maintain relationships with journalists; pitch reporters and respond to interview requests.• Track outlets and journalists and cultivate top experts for media engagement.• Arrange and staff UCS press briefings and reporter meetings.• Conduct media trainings and develop talking points and soundbites for UCS experts.• Track UCS press hits and contribute to quarterly media reporting.• Manage media consultants and interns as needed.• Maintain understanding of UCS issues and ensure activities enhance the organization’s reputation and advance organizational objectives.

Communications Officer

Program Manager

• Lead and manage the Western States team, leveraging team members' diverse experience and expertise.
• Engage in active problem solving on strategic questions, substance, staff time prioritization, and resource utilization.
• Communicate and collaborate with UCS executive and program leadership to develop and lead integrated campaign strategies and projects.
• Oversee development of the annual Western States operating budget and prepare periodic reports summarizing program activities and plans.
• Represent Western States before the UCS Board, National Advisory Board, senior management, and donors.
• Oversee work planning and campaigns; balance rigorous technical analysis with agile responsiveness to changing conditions.
• Maintain knowledge of climate, energy, transportation, agriculture, water, and related policy initiatives in Western States, focusing primarily on California and secondarily on Oregon and Washington.
• Advise and coordinate policy positions and political strategies in the western region in consultation with staff and UCS leadership.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local groups, stakeholders, experts, government officials, academic researchers, NGOs, business leaders, and public health community.
• Collaborate with Communications to increase visibility and serve as a key spokesperson for Western States.
• Collaborate with Development staff to identify and cultivate foundation and major donor support.
• Support cross-program initiatives, deepen anti-racist program efforts, and contribute to a collaborative work environment.
• Directly supervise Western States Associate Director, Policy Manager, Scientists and Analysts; hiring, assigning work, evaluating performance, and recommending promotions and pay raises.
• Up to 20% of work may include duties not specifically listed; participate in professional development and organizational activities.