Senior Communications Specialist, Climate Smart Agriculture (Remote – US)

With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

Senior Communications Specialist, Climate-Smart Agriculture

Location details: This position may be performed remotely from the United States or affiliated with one of EDF’s U.S. offices.

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts and other professionals in 22 geographies around the world.  You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

Our Climate-Smart Agriculture team works toward a future where farmers and ranchers are able to be productive in the face of climate change, while reducing climate pollution and increasing rural resilience and equity. We collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to cut greenhouse gas emissions — especially nitrous oxide and methane — from crop and livestock production and boost agricultural and rural community resilience to the climate impacts that are already here.

Overall Function

The Senior Communications Specialist will report to the Communications Manager, Climate-Smart Agriculture and work directly with experts on EDF’s Climate-Smart Agriculture, Natural Climate Solutions and Communications teams to implement strategic communications plans that advance Environmental Defense Fund’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and increase science-based opportunities for carbon storage in agricultural soils and temperate forests.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Communications Specialist will play the role of a generalist, utilizing skill sets in technical and journalistic writing, media relations and social media content creation to advance strategic communications plans. Examples include:

• Drafting talking points and using these as a foundation for both internal and external communications materials.
• Distilling complex technical information into more digestible language for target audiences.
• Writing blog posts, op-eds and media statements to build thought leadership for EDF experts.
• Editing reports and project managing the graphic design process.
• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with targeted journalists, editorial writers and columnists in trade, digital and broadcast media.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Implementing strategic communications campaigns that bring EDF science about carbon sequestration in an actionable format to key audiences.
• Identifying and proactively pursuing opportunities for EDF to share our science and recommendations through owned content, paid content and earned media.
• Editing reports and white papers, with an emphasis on streamlining complex sentences and aligning to AP Style.
• Project managing content creation (e.g., reports and videos) and serving as the day-to-day contact with vendors.
• Writing web copy and keeping webpages about agricultural climate solutions updated.
• Ensuring experts’ LinkedIn accounts are regularly updated.
• Cultivating and maintaining reporter relationships, particularly with reporters who cover emerging climate solutions. Being proactive and creating other media moments for EDF when news hooks arise.
• Using quantitative and qualitative data to monitor progress toward campaign goals, report on metrics and identify opportunities to refine our strategies.
• Participating in advancing EDF diversity, equity and inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences are connected, included and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience or advanced degree with at least three years’ relevant experience in journalism, public relations, strategic communications, marketing or similar field.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, collaborative workstyle and proactive attitude.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Excellent writing, copy editing and AP Style proofreading skills.
• Experience translating technical information into accessible communications materials.
• Ability to effectively work with colleagues on different teams and to balance multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint and Outlook).

Preferred:

• Knowledge of natural resource management issues, particularly carbon credits, offset regimes and other natural climate solutions frameworks.
• Experience identifying key audiences and the most effective ways to reach them.
• Familiarity with Google docs, SharePoint, Cision, Google Analytics, Twitter Ads and Analytics, WordPress and/or Drupal.
• Experience managing contractors (e.g., graphic designers or video producers) and project timelines.
• Experience in agriculture, science, policy, carbon markets and/or business.
• Global communications experience.

This is an exempt salaried position. The recruiting range for this role, based on a nonprofit scale, is $63,000 - $70, 000. Please note that offer calculations are determined by a variety of factors, such as candidate education, experience, skills, and internal team equity. Along with our supportive and collaborative culture, we offer our employees a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) retirement matching
• Unlimited PTO
• Tuition assistance
• Pet Insurance
• And more!