Communications Specialist – Temporary/Contract

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking a temporary Communications Specialist in any of our offices, or fully remote, so long as this person lives within the SELC region. This person will primarily manage communications related to federal affairs, clean air regulations, and Supreme Court case developments. The start date is as soon as possible, and the expected duration is six (6) months. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

This Communications Specialist can be hired as a contractor or temporary employee and has flexibility to work on a part-time or full-time basis, which will be evaluated on an applicant-by-applicant basis. Part-time roles do not exceed 30 hours/week. Fully remote employees must reside in SELC’s geographic footprint. Permanent SELC staff work a hybrid model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work closely with SELC attorneys and Design, Digital, Geospatial, and Marketing teams to develop and implement communications strategies for state and issue coverage areas.
• Collaborate with Communications Managers to address joint challenges and opportunities.
• Help coordinate the development and implementation of broader communications campaigns for higher priority issues, working closely with the Director of Program Communications and others on the Communications team.
• Implement outreach work, from messaging strategy and materials development to media relations.
• Work with the Digital and Design teams to help develop website content and shape news feed, social media, graphics, advertising, and multimedia content.
• Act as media point of contact for assigned issues, managing, and cultivating press relationships.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of related communications experience, with demonstrated experience in environmental, climate, and/or environmental justice related communications.
• Creative and strategic thinker. You love thinking through strategies of how to reach people and move them to action, and you’re creative in considering new approaches to make change.
• Excellent communicator and writer. You will play an integral role in crafting messages that engage target audiences and ensure that materials – from web, to social, to email, to ads – adhere to the overarching narrative. As an important voice of the South’s leading environmental organization, you’ll need to be able to package complex legal issues for a range of platforms, moving with ease between talking points, press releases, op-eds, web copy, and digital campaign emails that move people to get more involved.
• Highly organized. You are self-driven and have excellent time management skills. You can move from drafting a rapid response press statement, to ensuring digital campaign components are designed and delivered on time, to tracking the budget for a communications project. You feel confident shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment, including managing several communications efforts at once.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.

Desired Qualifications:

• Federal Affairs communications experience, preferably with an environment related focus.
• Experience in federal air regulations and air permitting are preferred.
• Experience covering U.S. Supreme Court cases and developments.

About SELC:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.

Compensation & Eligible Employment Terms:

SELC offers compensation competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally. The starting hourly pay range for this position is equivalent to $38.00-43.00, commensurate with experience.

Summary:

• Eligible employment terms: Contractor or temporary employee hire
• Hours: Part-time (<30 hours/week) or full-time (30 hours/week)
• Duration: 6 months anticipated
• Compensation: $38/hour – $43/hour
• Benefits: Not benefit eligible
• FLSA: Nonexempt

To Apply:

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, one writing or work sample, and three references. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is Wednesday February 5th, 2025. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

APPLY NOW

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.