Zero Waste Campaign Associate

Environment Illinois Campaign Associate

Chicago, Illinois

Environment Illinois works to tackle the most profound challenge of our time: a way of living that is destroying the natural world. We are seeking an entry-level campaign associate to help lead Illinois beyond plastics, starting by eliminating the worst types of plastic like single-use plastic packaging.

We live in an economy that encourages us to buy, use, and throw away things at the greatest speed possible. But when it comes to waste like plastics, there is no “away.” Single-use plastics like cups, bags, and foam take-out containers that we use for only a few minutes will last in our environment for hundreds of years. This waste is filling our landfills, polluting our natural spaces and waterways, and even harming human health. Last year, Environment Illinois led a coalition effort to ban polystyrene in state facilities. Our campaign association will build on that win to pass a full statewide ban and move us beyond plastics. 

Key responsibilities

• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Lobby elected officials: Meet with decision makers – from city council members to state legislators – to make the case for our campaign goals. When a critical vote is happening on your campaign, work to demonstrate the support you’ve been building on the ground to help line up the votes needed to win.
• Research and write persuasive campaign materials: Catalog and analyze data relevant to the issue and our policy proposals to help influence public debate and earn media attention for our cause.
• Identify and cultivate donors: Deepen relationships with our members and ask them to fund your campaign.
• Recruit new people to your team: Help build your team recruiting volunteers, interns and full-time staff.
• Run a grassroots campaign office each summer: Run a campaign office for the summer to raise money to support our campaigns, build our organization and membership, and help build critical and timely grassroots support to win key campaigns while honing your organizing and management skills. You may be assigned to a different office location for the summer and should be flexible to move.

Qualifications

Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply. Though we expect you to take your campaign and run with it, we provide training on advocacy and organizing skills, as well as oversight by an experienced advocate. Here are some of the experiences and qualities we look for in candidates:

• A campus or community leader, campaign staffer or grassroots organizer with experience building and leading a group on campus or in your community.
• An effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills. 
• Creative and effective at solving complex problems; a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities.
• A people person and good listener with a track record of recruiting people; willing and interested in working with people who think differently than you.
• A track record of hard work, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal.
• Passionate about the environment and using the power of advocacy and organizing to win campaigns.
• Experience interning or working in a legislative office within Congress, a state legislature, or with an environmental or public health advocacy organization is a plus but not required.
• Grassroots fundraising experience as part of a club or nonprofit is a plus but not required.

Location: Chicago, IL

Compensation and Benefits 

The target annual compensation for this position is $32,990 in the first year. Environment Illinois offers a competitive benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, paid time off, our 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.

About Environment Illinois

Environment Illinois is a policy and action group with thousands of supporters across the state. Environment Illinois and Environment America work to tackle the most profound problem of our time: a way of living that is destroying the natural world. 

We’re advocates for energy conservation and renewable power, so we can keep oil in the ground and stop burning fossil fuels. We’re champions of plastic reduction, so nothing we use for a few minutes is allowed to pollute our oceans for centuries. And we’re defenders of wildlife and wild places, both for their own sake as well as the awe and wonder they bring to our lives. 

Environment America’s national network of 30 state environmental groups work to improve our quality of life by reducing the pollution and other harms of how we produce, consume and dispose of more and more stuff. And we do it one step at a time, by winning results for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife, open spaces, and a livable climate that make a tangible difference in people’s lives and our environment.

Our Mission and Values 

Why work with Environment Illinois? Check out 10 reasons on our website.

Environment Illinois and Environment America are part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit our website for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Environment Illinois is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boosted. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.