Legislative Advocate

Federal Legislative Advocate, U.S. PIRG

Washington, DC

U.S. PIRG is hiring a Federal Legislative Advocate to build support for and win policies that address problems that affect the quality of our health, our environment and our well-being. 

Ideal candidates are eager to work hard for a world where:

• More of our things are reusable, repairable and recyclable, instead of single-use and designed for obsolescence.
• Decision makers choose conservation and renewable energy over fossil fuels.
• Economic incentives support food that nurtures us as well as the land, with fewer pesticides, antibiotics and other quick fixes.
• Consumers are no longer threatened by unsafe products, hidden bank fees and surprise medical bills.

Key responsibilities

U.S. PIRG’s Federal Legislative Advocate will work on campaigns to advance our vision and policy goals in Washington, DC. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Advocacy: Build support for our campaigns in the halls of power. Lobby key decision-makers in Congress and federal agencies. Develop collaborative relationships with legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle to advance our policy goals.
• Outreach and coalition building: Recruit and work collaboratively with the many varied groups who support our campaigns. Work with farmers in Wyoming, conservation enthusiasts in Georgia, repair shop owners in Michigan and more.
• Communications and media outreach: Organize press events. Write materials for lawmakers, the public, and the media including opinion editorials, press releases, campaign action emails, factsheets, bill summaries, regulatory comments and presentations.
• Campaign strategy: Assess opportunities to build political support for our vision and goals through coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media coverage and message development.
• Fundraise from foundations and individual donors to support our work.
• Recruit and train new staff, interns and volunteers.

Qualifications

Candidates must have at least two years of relevant experience in advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building, legislative work and/or political campaigns and be:

• Skilled in working with people with different views or backgrounds to accomplish shared goals.
• An effective communicator with excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• A creative and strategic thinker.
• A good people-person and listener.
• Well-organized, able to work independently to achieve goals while balancing urgent and important needs.
• Committed to our vision of building a new politics that faces today’s challenges head on.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting target annual compensation range for someone with 2-8 years of relevant experience is $39,750-$55,000. 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. 

Location: Washington, DC

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

About U.S. PIRG

U.S. 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

U.S. 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.

U.S. PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.