Toxics Campaign Director

Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Denver, CO

PIRG is hiring a Toxics Campaign Director to lead our work to protect our health by making polluters pay for the toxic messes they create and eliminating the use of toxic chemicals that threaten our health and our communities.

There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market in the United States, most of them put directly into use without testing the long-term consequences for our health or their impact on our environment. And, too often chemicals are found to be toxic and still remain on the market. The emergence of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement has brought new attention to these issues, particularly our failure to apply the precautionary principle to the introduction of chemicals into the environment and products.

Key Responsibilities

The Toxics Campaign Director will coordinate and work with our federal staff and state offices across the country to run campaigns that call on our decision makers to lead us toward a toxic-free future by passing federal and statewide bans on some of the most toxic chemicals; educating the public and decision-makers about the health and environmental hazards of these chemicals; promoting safer alternatives; and convincing corporations to eliminate the production or use of toxics in their products. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Coalition building: Build support for our campaign goals from a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum at the campus, state and national level.
• Advocacy: Take our policy ideas and proposals directly to key decision-makers in state legislatures, Governors’ offices, Congress, corporate boardrooms, and other forums where we could advocate for a toxic-free future. Run lobby days for students and staff to make their voices heard on this issue.
• Media Outreach: Serve as the spokesperson for our campaigns through media events, press releases and opinion writing. Keep abreast of important toxics issues and raise the profile of toxics issues and our campaign goals in the media.
• Campaign strategy: Assess opportunities for building political support for our agenda through coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media coverage and message development.
• Program development: Evaluate new research on the issue, create viable policy solutions and propose the right political strategy and messaging.
• Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff and meet with major donors. Provide support for our grassroots fundraising work on toxics issues by writing appeals and providing updates. 
• Staff recruitment and development: Build our team by recruiting and managing interns and participating in staff recruitment efforts. Potential to oversee staff. 

Qualifications

Candidates must have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to citizen-based social change, as well as a track record of leadership. Experience working on toxics, environmental or public health campaigns preferred. 

We're looking for people who are goal-driven and results-oriented; who have excellent public speaking, writing and analytical skills; the ability to speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere; and the passion and drive it takes to make positive policy changes.

Compensation and Benefits

The target starting compensation for someone with 3-8 years of relevant professional experience is $40,500-55,000 in the first year. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. PIRG offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, time off, a 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. 

Locations

This position could be based in Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; Boston, MA; or Denver, CO.

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

About PIRG

PIRG is an advocate for consumers, advancing solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being.

Being a consumer advocate means being a champion for a marketplace that is not only honest and transparent, but also wastes less because it reduces, reuses and recycles more; prevents toxic threats to our health and safety; and considers the impact of new products and technologies on the next generation, not just the next quarterly earnings report.

The true North Star of a successful marketplace should not be the quantity of “stuff” we consume. It should be the quality of our lives.

Our Mission and Values

PIRG is 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.

Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.

PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.