Background
Far too often, powerful interests are able to shape policy to benefit their interests over the interests of the public. New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) is the state’s leading advocate for the public interest. We work on behalf of New Jersey’s citizens to uncover and fight threats to public health, consumer well-being and democratic government. With over 20,000 citizen members and 40,000 student members, a staff of experts and organizers, and a national office in Washington D.C., NJPIRG has been protecting the public interest since 1972.
Job Description
NJPIRG is seeking a Consumer Advocate. The mission of our program is to protect consumers from unsafe products and unfair marketplace practices. New Jersey is currently tackling critical issues, including the shape of state health care policy, transportation priorities, how to protect consumers from identity theft and energy affordability and efficiency. By delivering persistent, results-oriented activism, and proposing common-sense policy solutions, NJPIRG tackles challenges such as these head-on. Read about our current priorities at www.njpirg.org. Our Track record of success at the state level draws upon top-notch research, years of experience and a network of talented professionals working with state PIRGs around the country to create exciting and rewarding political change. We are seeking a Consumer Advocate to aid in our continued fight to protect the public interest.
Accomplishments
For the past three decades, NJPIRG has worked to some of the state and nation’s landmark consumer and public interest laws including the Patients’ Right to Sue, the Open Public Record Act, the Identity Prevention Act and more recently, NJPIRG won a successful effort to stop an merger between two energy utility giants that would have led to increased rates for consumers.
Job Description
The NJPIRG Consumer Advocate's responsibilities include:
- Issue Expert : Develop our approach to consumer problems within a broader political context, and develop comprehensive platforms for solving them.
- Political Strategist : Frame the problem, the public interest solution, the strategy and the tactics for protecting the public interest. Formulate campaign strategy and create an action plan.
- Advocacy : Lobby for and testify on behalf of consumers before the New Jersey state legislature.
- Research : Responsible for initiating and conducting research to investigate public interest concerns and writing reports documenting problems and promoting solutions.
- Coalition Building : Responsible for building working relationships with other organizations, lobbyists, elected officials, agency staff, and various groups with shared interests in public interest issues.
- Generate Media Attention : Responsible for cultivating relations with key reporters and editorial staff at major newspapers, television and radio stations, across the state. Responsible for organizing news conferences and editorial board meetings and writing news releases and op-ed pieces on a regular basis.
- Legislative Drafter : Craft policy options that turn the solution into law.
- Organization Building : Raises money for the organization and key projects from foundations and individuals, recruits and trains staff and activists. Helps keep administrative and organizational systems in place.
Qualifications
Passion. Persistence. We're looking for a goal-driven and results-oriented individual with a strong commitment to protecting the public's interest on environmental issues, someone with leadership skills and initiative, and the verbal and written skills necessary to make the case that protecting the environment must be a top priority. Candidates should have 3 to 8 years of relevant professional experience, post-college, including (but not limited to) work in political, policy, legal, journalistic or government settings. Advanced degrees, including a JD or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate's professional experience.
Salary & Benefits
Salary is commensurate with candidates’ relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate possesses. We offer a competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, paid vacation and sick days, parental leave. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.
Location(s)
Trenton, NJ
Application
Please send a resume and cover letter by May 5th to Allison Cairo at . Please specify which position you are applying for in the subject line of the email, and be sure to mention where you saw our job advertised. We’ll carefully consider your application, and if we think you’re a good fit, we’ll be in touch.
NJPIRG is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.