Media Specialist

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a dynamic, experienced, creative media-relations expert and professional writer to raise the media profile of the Center and our work to clean up oil and gas well pollution, fight the climate emergency and protect our planet.

The Center is a leading national voice in the movement to combat oil and gas pollution and hold Big Oil responsible for the harm it’s doing to our climate, oceans, wildlife and frontline communities. Our highly motivated team uses cutting-edge legal, scientific and organizing strategies to tackle the climate crisis and the harms of fossil fuels. We do this at the national and international levels and in California and New Mexico, where we have become a major force in shaping the politics and policies surrounding oil and gas extraction and pollution.

The media specialist will pitch journalists and produce high-impact communications aimed at addressing these issues and other Center conservation priorities, including generating media stories, op-eds, editorials and creative media products that drive the national discussion.

The specialist will work closely with journalists and Center scientists and attorneys across several time zones, occasionally act as a spokesperson, and drive communications strategies on a daily basis and over the long term. Please note: Some projects will involve morning work in the Eastern time zone.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional writing and editing skills, a strong working knowledge of journalism, and a passion for exposing the harms caused by oil industry pollution and driving efforts to clean up oil and gas wells in offshore waters and on public and private land across the United States.

Location: Remote; DC, Oakland, Tucson, Portland, or Asheville, NC preferred for ability to work a hybrid schedule.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Write and edit compelling press releases, op-eds, story pitches, blog posts, reports and other material for the Center’s oil and gas well pollution work and other conservation issues.
• Lead and execute strategies that produce high-impact print, web and broadcast media coverage.
• Cultivate media relationships, pitch stories to reporters and editorial writers, and continually seek out new media opportunities.
• Manage, plan and help execute rapid responses to breaking news.
• Work with program staff and the media director, deputy media director and chief editor to manage the flow of copy (including press releases) through the editorial process.
• Work with program staff and the media team to coordinate press outreach and avoid overlap and scheduling conflicts.
• Provide expert media-relations advice to program staff, including media training.
• Track relevant local, national and international news and seek ways to become part of the news cycle.
• Act as a public spokesperson as needed.
• Expand and refine the Center’s existing communications materials, including the website and regular publications.
• Carry out other media-relations work as needed.
• This position reports directly to the media director and works closely with the directors and teams of the Center’s Climate Law Institute and other programs.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five to 10 years of experience as a professional communicator, including journalism or advocacy work.
• Exceptional writing ability. Please have a track record of producing clear, concise and compelling copy on tight deadlines.
• The ideal candidate looks for opportunities, including breaking news in our issue areas, and develops tactics and strategies based on media relations expertise.
• Seasoned news judgment and solid understanding of how journalists work.
• Strong interest in and support for the Center’s work, including our efforts to protect imperiled wildlife and public lands.
• Experience in researching, synthesizing and translating complex scientific, legal and regulatory concepts for a lay audience.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment that often moves at the fast pace of the news cycle.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines, with a passion for accuracy.
• Penchant for innovative approaches that reach new audiences through a wide variety of media outlets.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Fluent Spanish a plus.
• Ability to work 30+ hours per week.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This media relations position requires the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and the ability to juggle multiple projects and multiple deadlines. Some evening and weekend work is required to meet the demands of the news cycle. Some travel is required. We have offices in the California Bay Area, and other states, but remote applicants will be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

• Ability to process and analyze information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Exchange accurate information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Communicate and express oneself with others: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Interaction with other colleagues: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently

Physical

• Reading (ingest data): [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Working on a computer: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Typing: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Writing by hand: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Sitting: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Walking: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Standing: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Hiking: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Climbing up or down stairs: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Bending: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Squatting: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Reaching overhead: [X] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Repetitive motions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [X] Frequently
• Ability to drive: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently

Location Conditions

• In person required (versus remote work): [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Travel required:  [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Night or weekend work: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently
• Work in outdoor conditions: [  ] Rarely    [X] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.