Communications Specialist / Senior Communications Specialist — U.S. & Canada

International Council on Clean Transportation•San Francisco, CA

20d

About The Position

ICCT is hiring a Communications Specialist or Senior Communications Specialist to support its U.S. and Canada Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) and Passenger Vehicle (PV) programs, along with Marine, Aviation, and Fuels program work aimed at U.S. audiences. The role builds ICCT’s reach through media relationships, outreach, spokesperson development, partnerships, digital communications, events, and publication production. It also coordinates communications between program staff and the global communications team, monitors the relevant policy and media environment, and tracks communications performance. The Senior Communications Specialist works with greater independence and specialization, leads strategic planning and outreach, coordinates translations of technical publications, and may supervise one or two staff members. The Communications Specialist contributes to planning and outreach and supports those activities in collaboration with the Global Communications Manager and program leaders. The organization is seeking someone who can communicate technical and policy information clearly, build relationships across a diverse media landscape, and adapt communications strategy as U.S. media and policy environments evolve. The role also includes work with consultants and external vendors and participation in global communications projects, as applicable.

Requirements

Senior Communications Specialist: at least 7 years of relevant communications experience, including expertise in 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; for the Communications Specialist, examples include communications, journalism, or public relations.
Experience in public communications, including designing and implementing media outreach and campaigns; the Senior Specialist qualification also specifies evaluating campaigns.
Demonstrated media savvy and experience or a track record building and nurturing relationships across national and state-level journalists, independent commentators, trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional media.
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.
Experience working with contractors and vendors; the Communications Specialist must be able to provide guidance and feedback on work products, while the Senior Specialist must have experience managing and supervising contractor and vendor work.

Nice To Haves

A graduate-level degree is a plus.
For the Senior Specialist, experience with media training and coaching or organizing trainings is highly valuable; for the Communications Specialist, experience supporting spokesperson training or coaching, or organizing trainings, is a plus.
For the Senior Specialist, experience building and supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalitions; for the Communications Specialist, experience supporting these efforts is a plus.
For the Senior Specialist, experience supervising communications professionals or leading teams is preferred.
A background in transportation or climate public policy, environmental sciences, climate change mitigation, or energy conservation is preferred.
Familiarity with marine, aviation, or fuels policy is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic communications plans for U.S. and Canada HDV/PV programs and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels communications, either leading the work or collaborating with relevant managers and program staff.
Coordinate communications between HDV/PV research and program staff, relevant Marine/Aviation/Fuels staff, and the global communications team; maintain editorial and outreach calendars.
Build and nurture relationships with national- and state-level media, including independent journalists, trade publications, podcasters, YouTubers, and traditional outlets; pitch stories and produce press releases, statements, and other promotional materials.
Develop and support ICCT’s roster of spokespeople through media training and coaching, or by contributing to those efforts.
Develop or support bilateral partnerships and coalitions relevant to the portfolio, including identifying coalitions ICCT can support.
Plan, produce, and schedule digital and social media content for the portfolio; the Senior Specialist also collaborates on digital strategies that advance policy goals.
Organize or support virtual and in-person events, workshops, conferences, and publication launches, including planning, logistics, materials, promotion, vendor coordination, facilitation, and panel moderation as appropriate to level.
Guide portfolio publications through ICCT’s editorial process, particularly projects requiring comprehensive outreach, and support researchers and editors with publication management.
Inform ICCT staff about communications plans and activities and lead or contribute to trainings and informational sessions.
Monitor and analyze the relevant U.S. and Canada vehicle-policy and U.S.-audience marine, aviation, and fuels information ecosystems; report on news and relevant mentions.
Track and report metrics from relevant websites, social media, newsletters, and earned media; the Senior Specialist also analyzes and reports on those metrics.
Coordinate or support communications-related work performed by consultants; the Senior Specialist supervises consultants engaged within the portfolio.
Develop, lead, and support global communications projects that draw on the portfolio, including piloting tools and managing campaigns that extend beyond one program.
The Senior Specialist may supervise one or two staff members performing communications tasks related to the portfolio.