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The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at UIC is the University of Illinois System's home for the study of public policy and contemporary urban challenges. We are CUPPA.

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Climate Solutions Associate, Illinois PIRG - Chicago, IL

 Title: Climate Solutions Associate

Type: Full-time, in-person

Location: Chicago, IL
Pay: $37-38k/year

PIRG has a 50-year history of consumer advocacy, advancing policy solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being. The Climate Solutions Associate will work closely with our state director and our network of coalition partners and volunteers to run campaigns, like shifting off of gas to heat our homes, increasing energy conservation and energy efficiency, and promoting renewable energy.

Apply here.

Key Responsibilities

  • Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals. Work within existing coalitions to move partners to action.
  • 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 members of Congress - 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.
  • Recruit new people to your team: Help build your team by 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 team on campus or in your community
  • Passion for the environment and using the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns
  • Leadership experience 
  • Top-notch writing and public speaking skills 
  • Good listening skills
  • An eagerness to learn