Communications Associate

PowerLines•Washington, DC

24d•$60,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

PowerLines is seeking a full-time Communications Associate to support core communications workstreams. The ideal candidate will be a scrappy team player who takes initiative, brings a growth mindset, and leverages creative and strategic thinking. This person should also be eager to wear multiple hats, manage multiple high-impact workstreams, and maintain adaptability in a dynamic, high-velocity startup environment. The Communications Associate will have exposure to leading national and local reporters and media outlets, a portfolio of stimulating projects, and an ability to contribute outsized impact in an underaddressed and dynamic problem space. This person will have the opportunity to take PowerLines’ initial success in informing the national and local discussion on energy affordability to the next level, growing its platform as a leading consumer voice amidst a crisis of rising utility bills. As an early member of the PowerLines team, and its first full-time communications hire, this person will play a critical role in shaping the trajectory of the national energy affordability conversation and PowerLines’ communications work moving forward. PowerLines is headquartered in Washington, DC. This position can either be hybrid or remote. The communications associate will report to the Founder and Executive Director.

Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will be a savvy communications expert, a superb project manager, and an entrepreneurial team player capable of juggling varied workstreams.
As PowerLines is an early-stage startup nonprofit organization, an ability to proactively identify opportunities, operate nimbly in a dynamic startup environment, and maintain deep passion for PowerLines’ mission is critical to success.

Nice To Haves

1-4 years of communications and/or public relations experience, preferably in an agency, nonprofit, think tank, or advocacy setting
Exceptional writing and editing skills
Fluency across social and digital media and other communications channels
Experience writing and editing social media copy and developing editorial calendars
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail and an ability to multitask and prioritize high-volume, high-priority initiatives
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and an ability and eagerness to take a creative approach to problem solving
Capacity to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic, and uncertain environments, including an ability to identify priorities and function independently
Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field
strong understanding of the energy, consumer, and/or political media landscape
experience creating multimedia content for a range of platforms
A passion for PowerLines’ mission

Responsibilities

Provide logistical support for reporter and multimedia partnerships, including assisting in managing partnerships, tracking relationships, updating journalist contacts and media lists, gathering materials, and scheduling
Manage internal tracker of communications hits and media clips, including PowerLines media mentions
Assist with development of pitches to various media outlets
Attend relevant events and conferences
Support initial drafting of press releases
Evaluate trends in national and local media coverage and social media discourse (e.g., Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, NextDoor) regarding the issue of rising utility bills
Produce research memos and other prep materials to support media interviews
Manage internal database tracker of external media pieces focused on rising utility bills, including press clips, social media mentions, and other materials
Support planning, research, and implementation of multimedia efforts, including short and longform video and audio content
Develop weekly internal utility bills communications report on utility bills coverage
Develop social media content calendar and editorial calendar to inform PowerLines’ communications-related content development
Manage PowerLines’ social media accounts and maintain regular posting schedule
Lead development of social and digital media posts and toolkits for PowerLines and core partners
Support identification and collection of stories of energy consumers impacted by rising utility bills
Support production of multimedia content as needed
Monitor social media trends, engagement analytics, and audience insights to inform and refine communications strategies
Coordinate digital campaigns around key announcements, events, and launches
Draft copy for PowerLines website, newsletter, blog posts, and reports