Principal Associate, Field Operations

The Environment Portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts

For more than 30 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world's remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment. Pew's global environmental program focuses on science-based, nonpartisan, and sustainable solutions to help protect the planet and people. We work in partnership with governments, Indigenous rights holders, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, local stakeholders, scientists, and other researchers to advance public policy so that nature and communities can thrive.

Since 1990, Pew has worked in North America, South America and Australia to protect large and critically important terrestrial ecosystems, including rivers and other freshwater resources, coastal temperate rainforests, interior mountain ranges, the northern boreal forests, Australia's Outback, and Chilean Patagonia. We work to ensure these natural systems remain bountiful, functioning, and resilient, providing essential ecological services such as clean air and clean water, sustenance and food security for local communities and more broadly for the welfare of current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, sociology, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity.

In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew's ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating large scale marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems. We also work to address systemic threats to the ocean, including from plastics, over-and-illegal fishing, seabed mining, and climate change.

Field Operations

Field Operations (Field) advances public policy solutions for Pew campaigns by engaging government officials, policymakers, local elected officials and other relevant stakeholders in their home states and countries through education, mobilization, coalition building, media coverage and government official outreach and engagement. Field staff and contractors (organizers) develop unique state- and country-specific strategies and then organize and execute grass tops, grassroots, public education, and lobbying activities under the direction of program leadership. In all efforts, Field works in coordination with program, government relations, communications and other Pew staff to tailor state- and country-specific strategies that contribute to national and international project goals.

• Education: Field uses the best available science and data to educate the public and policymakers about policy issues for Pew's Environment projects. Organizers advance local understanding of issues and policy goals through fact-based presentations and outreach. DC-based field staff collaborate with program staff and organizers to engage experts, synthesize research, and localize information for educational outreach.

• Organizing: Field staff recruit and mobilize diverse stakeholders, such as community leaders, businesses, institutions and grassroots supporters, by building coalitions and public support for campaigns' policy objectives. Organizers involve stakeholders in policy discussions through local activities and educational events, sign-on letters, fly-ins, and videos. DC-based field staff work with program staff and organizers to identify optimal organizing strategies for each effort.

• Communications: Field staff inform the public and policymakers about project priorities by increasing media coverage of policy goals. Field organizers identify third party spokespeople, draft and author opinion editorials, work with local media to place op-eds and letters, and assist supporters and coalition partners in their media outreach and strategic messaging. DC-based field staff collaborate with communications and program staff and organizers to develop materials for diverse media outlets.

• Government Relations: Field staff engage policymakers on Pew's project objectives by coordinating public outreach to government officials at all levels - local, state, federal and international. Organizers facilitate public interaction with government officials through public events, as well as in-district and Hill meetings tailored to the local political landscape. DC staff work with organizers, government relations and program staff to coordinate federal, state and local government outreach efforts.

Position Overview

The principal associate, field operations, is part of the field team based in Washington, D.C. The team supports projects that require field and on-the-ground resources to complement existing efforts and assists in developing and implementing targeted legislative, advocacy and communications field strategies such as organizing, generating media coverage, and managing government relations.The principal associate will engage in tactical strategy development and campaign design as it relates to field operations and in coordination with other programmatic and operations units at The Pew Charitable Trusts.

This position reports to the senior officer, field operations and will participate in Pew's hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four telework "flex weeks" per year.

Responsibilities

• In partnership with the senior officer, identify, vet, and recruit field organizers, campaign specialists, and partner groups to support Pew's programmatic work.

• Manage the development, day-to-day management, and execution of organizers' work plans to advance project objectives and deliverables. Troubleshoot and modify strategies and workplans as needed. Maintain the highest professional standards in achieving public policy objectives.

• Coordinate organizers' activities across multiple Pew projects and with other Pew staff and partners.

• Develop advocacy materials including fact sheets, legislative correspondence, action alerts, op-eds, press releases, presentations, and talking points. Conduct the necessary research to produce such materials.

• Develop and maintain knowledge management and internal communication systems related to the field team's activities, including budgeting and compliance.

• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

• Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required. Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.

• Generally, six years of related professional experience. Experience in at least two of the following areas is required: project management, public policy advocacy, organizing, generating media coverage and engaging policy makers.

• Strong interpersonal skills, including experience developing and managing productive and collaborative relationships with partners, contractors, external stakeholders, and colleagues, including government relations, communications, compliance, legal and additional internal support functions.

• Experience with project management and successfully managing consultants and mentoring colleagues and staff required.Experience working on political campaigns or advocacy campaigns working to pass legislation through state legislatures or Congress preferred.

• A detail-oriented style with a focus on results. Capacity to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Experience developing and moving projects forward with independence and autonomy while working in close partnership with project and field staff.

• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including communicating complex ideas for a general audience.Experience generating earned media a plus.

• Available outside normal business hours when essential to organizational priorities.

• Effective use of basic Microsoft Office Suite software.

Travel

This position may require occasional travel.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew's commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.