Communications Specialist / Senior Communications Specialist — U.S. & Canada HDV and PV, plus Marine, Aviation, and Fuels

International Council on Clean Transportation•San Francisco, CA

22d

About The Position

ICCT is hiring a Communications Specialist or Senior Communications Specialist to support U.S. and Canada Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) and Passenger Vehicle (PV) programs, along with Marine, Aviation, and Fuels program work directed at U.S. audiences. The role builds and implements communications strategies, coordinates between program staff and the global communications team, and manages outreach across media, digital channels, events, publications, partnerships, and internal communications. The Senior Communications Specialist carries greater independence and specialization, leads strategic planning and outreach, coordinates translations of technical publications, and serves as the primary liaison between communications and relevant program staff. The Communications Specialist contributes to these activities in collaboration with the Global Communications Manager and program leaders. The position calls for a strategic communicator with strong media relationships who can adapt outreach to an evolving U.S. media and policy landscape. Responsibilities include cultivating media contacts across traditional and emerging formats, supporting spokesperson development and media training, developing partnerships and coalitions, managing digital content, coordinating events and publication processes, monitoring policy and media developments, and tracking communications metrics. The senior-level role may supervise one to two staff members and supervises communications-related work by consultants in the portfolio; the specialist supports consultant coordination. The position is a regular full-time staff role and reports to the Global Communications Manager. Salary depends on title and location: Communications Specialist salaries are $89,200 per year in DC and $98,100 per year in San Francisco; Senior Communications Specialist salaries are $103,600 per year in DC and $114,000 per year in San Francisco. ICCT offers health insurance, substantial paid vacation, retirement contributions including a 7% employer contribution, transportation subsidies, and other benefits. The posting describes physical requirements including remaining stationary for extended periods, operating standard office equipment, effective communication, and close and distance vision with the ability to adjust focus.

Requirements

Senior Communications Specialist: at least 7 years of relevant communications experience, including expertise developing and implementing strategic communications initiatives.
Communications Specialist: at least 5 years of relevant communications experience, including demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications initiatives.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline; the Communications Specialist posting gives communications, journalism, and public relations as examples. A graduate-level degree is a plus.
Expertise or demonstrated experience in public communications, including designing and implementing or evaluating media outreach and campaigns.
Media savvy and experience building and nurturing relationships across a broad range of media formats, including national- and state-level journalists, independent commentators, trade publications, podcasters, YouTubers, and traditional outlets.
Outstanding writing and public speaking skills, including the ability to communicate technical information and policy details about vehicles, marine, aviation, and fuels to people from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.
Communications Specialist: experience working with contractors and vendors, including providing guidance and feedback on work products. Senior Communications Specialist: demonstrated experience managing and supervising contractors and vendors.
Ability to remain stationary, sitting or standing, for extended periods; operate standard office equipment such as a computer, keyboard, and telephone; communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing; and meet close-vision, distance-vision, and focus-adjustment requirements.

Nice To Haves

A graduate-level degree.
Senior Communications Specialist: experience with media training and coaching or organizing trainings; experience building and supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalitions; and experience supervising communications professionals or leading teams.
Communications Specialist: experience supporting media training or coaching for spokespeople, or organizing trainings; experience supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalition-building.
Background in transportation or climate public policy, environmental sciences, climate change mitigation, or energy conservation.
Familiarity with marine, aviation, or fuels policy.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic communications plans for U.S. and Canada HDV and PV programs and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels communications.
Coordinate communications between research and program staff and the global communications team, maintaining editorial and outreach calendars and aligning activities with organizational processes and priorities.
Build and nurture relationships with national- and state-level media contacts, including independent journalists, trade publications, podcasters, YouTubers, and traditional outlets; pitch stories and prepare press releases, statements, and promotional materials.
Develop and support ICCT spokespeople, including organizing, delivering, or contributing to media training and coaching, depending on level.
Develop or support bilateral partnerships and coalitions, including identifying existing coalitions that ICCT's work can support.
Plan, produce, and schedule digital content and manage relevant digital assets, including social media channels; senior-level staff also collaborate on digital strategies advancing policy goals.
Coordinate or support virtual and in-person events, workshops, conferences, and publication launches, including planning, logistics, materials, promotion, facilitation, panel moderation, and vendor coordination as applicable to level.
Facilitate publications through ICCT's editorial process and support researchers and the editorial team with publication management, particularly for projects requiring comprehensive outreach.
Inform ICCT staff about communications plans and activities, including leading or contributing to trainings and informational sessions.
Monitor and analyze the information ecosystem and policy and media landscape relevant to the portfolio, and report relevant developments and mentions.
Track, analyze, and report metrics from relevant websites, social media, newsletters, and earned media.
Supervise or support coordination of communications-related work by consultants engaged in the portfolio, according to level.
Develop, lead, or support global communications projects drawing on the portfolio, including piloting tools and managing cross-program campaigns (senior-level responsibility).
May supervise one to two staff members performing communications tasks related to the portfolio (senior-level responsibility).
Coordinate translations of technical publications as needed (senior-level position summary).