Advocacy & Communications Manager

Job Title: Advocacy & Communications Manager

Reports to: Director
 

Organization Overview

Healthy Air and Water Colorado (HAWC) is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that activates Colorado-based health professionals to address climate change for the sake of people’s health. We elevate the voices of nurses, doctors, public health professionals and other health experts to add a critical perspective within the public policy process. While HAWC operates at the local, state and federal levels, we spend most of our time working within the state legislative and regulatory processes, where we both advance original policy that we develop, and work in coalition with allies on legislation of mutual interest. We believe our focus on human health supports our interest in building support for pro-climate policies from policymakers on both sides of the aisle. HAWC is a sister organization of Healthier Colorado. 

Position Overview

We are in search of an Advocacy & Communications Manager to help identify, recruit, and engage health professionals to take action on climate change. The Advocacy & Communications Manager applies a blend of communication and organizing skills to springboard health professionals interested in climate policy into action, and translates policy concepts into accessible content for a variety of audiences. This role serves as a bridge between HAWC members and HAWC staff.

The Advocacy & Communications Manager is a critical position that supports policy campaigns and drives engagement of members to ensure campaigns successfully cross the finish line. This role will work in collaboration with the HAWC Director to execute state legislative and regulatory campaigns. The Advocacy & Communications Manager will lead on HAWC’s field engagement in our various campaigns by working with partner organizations, communities, and coalitions. They will also have primary responsibility for managing member integration into these campaigns, including preparing them to testify and for engagement with earned media outlets.

Job Duties

Advocacy Management

● Inform HAWC members of active policy campaigns, provide regular campaign updates, and share opportunities to engage.

● Ensure HAWC members are prepared and trained for advocacy by meeting with members to build knowledge and relationships, hosting regular trainings, and providing resource materials.

● Mobilize members to share their story for testimonials and other direct advocacy opportunities (press events, rallies, meetings with decision makers, etc.).

● Play a supporting role in statewide coalitions, representing Healthy Air and Water Colorado in coalitions.

● Lead quarterly meetings of the Colorado Climate and Health Coalition.

Activist recruitment

● Identify and recruit health professionals to become part of our network to grow our list of committed spokespeople for each policy campaign

       ○ One-on-ones with health professionals

       ○ Maintain regular communication with members

       ○ Host events or engage with partner organizations on events, including regular advocacy trainings or health and climate chats

● Maintain existing relationships and build new connections with relevant health associations and organizations.

● Explore innovative ways to reach more health professionals across the state.

● Engage health professionals identified through digital and online acquisition campaigns.

● Maximize the way we use our CRM to recruit new health professionals.

Communications Management

● Assist our members in drafting letters to the editor, editorials, testimonies, and building media relations.

● Create fact sheets, social media toolkits, and other collateral for HAWC policy campaigns.

● Effectively manage HAWC’s social media presence and engagement.

● Manage and build HAWC’s media relations and outreach.

● Work with the Digital Communications Specialist to develop digital graphics for campaign materials.

● Streamline communications to our existing members in our CRM through calls to action, newsletters, and other strategies

Qualifications

● At least 3-5 years of experience in traditional community organizing, online organizing, and/or community outreach.

● At least two years of experience in public policy or political campaigns (experience with state legislative policy campaigns in Colorado preferred, but not required).

● Previous experience working in environmental justice, health equity, and/or climate change policy is valued.

● Strong time management and organizational skills. Must have the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

● Outstanding oral communication and presentation skills.

● Ability to write clearly and compellingly.

● Familiarity with CRM systems (preferably EveryAction).

● Familiarity with basic graphic design, especially use of Canva, is desirable.

● Proficiency in written and verbal communication.

● Experience drafting and publishing opinion pieces and letters-to-the-editor.

● Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

● Experience working with diverse groups of individuals and coalitions.

● A passion for the mission of HAWC.

Preferred Competencies

● Sound political instincts that align with HAWC’s interest in building bipartisan support for pro-climate policies.

● Ability to thrive in a fast paced work environment, including by serving as a dependable teammate who leads by example and lifts morale.

● An entrepreneurial sensibility that informs the pursuit of new opportunities within policy, politics and organizational development.

● Existing relationships with media outlets and/or the ability to establish and build these connections.

● Can build trust with co-workers and obtain the best efforts of teammates.

● Self-directed and results-oriented, handling multiple tasks and deadlines.

● Proactive and independent problem solver.

● Ability to handle confidential information, including financial information, professionally.

● Strong policy research skills.

● Proficiency in Spanish language is preferred, but not required.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary range is $60,000 to $70,000 annually. HAWC offers a competitive benefits program, including a monthly wellness stipend.

HAWC Non-Discrimination Policy

HAWC is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition or privilege of employment. HAWC does not discriminate in employment or advancement opportunities on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation (including gender identity and gender expression), disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

We believe that traditional hiring practices have historically and systemically marginalized entire groups of people — including people of color, people from different socio-economic backgrounds, women, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, to name a few. We believe that we are better as an organization when we work to deconstruct barriers and build a team that has authentic representation from diverse communities, backgrounds and beliefs. Hence, we strongly encourage qualified candidates from those mentioned, as well as other marginalized communities, to apply for roles within our team.

To Apply

Interested applicants should apply below.
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