Campaign Associate

PIRG

Waste is Out of Fashion Campaign Associate

Portland, OR

PIRG is hiring a Campaign Associate to work on our Waste is out of Fashion Campaign to address fast fashion clothing waste. In recent years, there has been an explosion in the production of clothing, largely driven by the fast fashion industry.

The amount of garments that are produced every year has doubled since the year 2000. And it’s estimated that about 30% of the clothing produced each year will never be sold and never be worn, likely heading to the nearest landfill or incinerator.

It’s time to get the waste out of fashion. PIRG is calling on fast fashion companies to stop trashing or burning unsold, unworn clothing. We’re also educating the public and decision-makers about the problem of fashion waste and what can be done to address this mounting environmental problem.

Key Responsibilities:

The Campaign Associate will work to build support for our Waste is out of Fashion campaign. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Educate and mobilize public support: Conduct online and in-person outreach to educate the public on our issues and ways to get involved.
• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to build and demonstrate support for our campaign goals.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Organize events and work with volunteers: Organize webinars, community events and public meetings. Recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
• Lobby elected and corporate officials: Meet with decision makers – from corporate leaders to state and federal legislators – to make the case for and demonstrate support for our campaign goals.
• Research and write reports: 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. Organize trainings for our members and run an internship program.
• Run a grassroots campaign office each summer: Run a campaign office for the summer, knocking on doors to raise money to support our campaigns, build our organization and membership, and help build critical and timely grassroots support to win key campaigns. Your responsibilities will include meeting your own fundraising goals and managing a team of paid staff. You may be assigned to a different office location for the summer and should be flexible to move.
• Take part in organizational projects and trainings: Beyond your own campaign, you may be called on to help other teams on priority campaigns and tactics, ranging from clean energy to clean water to right to repair. You may travel and participate in regional and national trainings and other in-person or virtual projects as needed. This is not a standard “9-5” or “clock in, clock out” position.

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. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience, top-notch writing and public speaking skills, an eagerness to learn, and be ready for a challenge. We value organizing experience, including building campus or community groups. Candidates must be able to travel regularly and be motivated to work when needed, which may sometimes be in the evenings and on weekends. 

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual compensation for this position is $40,000 in the first year. 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, 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.

Location

Portland, OR

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 new future and a strategic approach to 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.