Climate & Oceans Campaigner

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for four decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. 
 
To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment.   

The Climate, Energy, and Oceans Team within the Programs Division works to address the root causes of climate change and protect oceans and coastal communities from environmental harm. Using research, advocacy, coalition building, policy, and public mobilization, we fight for environmental justice and an equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

Position Summary

Companies and researchers have begun testing ways to geoengineer the ocean and atmosphere at planetary scales to address climate change – by adding chemicals to seawater across the globe to pull carbon out of the air, or by reflecting sunlight away from Earth to hold down temperatures. These techniques are poorly understood, incredibly dangerous, and largely unregulated, but outdoor experiments are already underway. Friends of the Earth is working to prevent the commercialization and deployment of these risky geoengineering schemes before they take hold.

The Campaigner carries much of the day-to-day work of this effort. This is an unusually interdisciplinary job – in a given month, it could involve working through oceanography or atmospheric research to understand what a proposed experiment would actually do, drafting a comment on a federal permit application, coordinating with coalition partners ranging from scientists to fishing associations, and preparing materials for international treaty talks. The science and politics of geoengineering are still young and taking shape, and so effective campaign work can have an outsized impact. Within established campaign plans, the Campaigner independently manages assigned projects, conducts research and analysis, and cultivates relationships with coalition partners. The role contributes to campaign strategy and policy development by providing research, analysis, and implementation support. This position requires traveling 3-4 times per year for periods of a couple of days through one week each, sometimes internationally.

The annual salary range for this full-time, remote position is $63,000–$68,000. Starting salary is determined based on the qualifications, skills, and experience directly related to the position. This position is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). The first three (3) months of employment constitute an introductory (probationary) period.

Essential Functions

Campaign Analysis & Advocacy

• Evaluate proposed marine and solar geoengineering initiatives by analyzing scientific, environmental, legal, and policy considerations.
• Draft and develop portions of technical analyses, public comments, briefing papers, and advocacy materials by conducting research, writing content, and incorporating feedback to support campaign objectives.
• Coordinate assigned advocacy activities related to geoengineering proposals and regulatory processes.
• Translate complex scientific and policy issues into clear information for policymakers, partners, and the public.

International Policy & Treaty Engagement

• Develop analyses, reports, and interventions that support engagement in international treaty and governance processes.
• Coordinate outreach and collaboration with international partners and member organizations.
• Monitor international policy developments and identify opportunities that support campaign priorities.
• Represent the organization in meetings, working groups, and international forums, as assigned.

Coalition Development & Engagement

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with coalition partners, scientific experts, community organizations, and other partners.
• Coordinate partner communications and collaborative advocacy activities.
• Support coalition initiatives by facilitating information sharing and partner engagement.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships that advance campaign goals.

Public Education & Communications

• Develop educational materials and communications that increase public understanding of geoengineering issues.
• Prepare reports, fact sheets, presentations, blogs, and digital content for diverse audiences.
• Coordinate educational events and public engagement activities.
• Support media outreach and communications related to campaign priorities.

Policy & Legislative Support

• Develop policy analyses and educational materials that support legislative and regulatory advocacy.
• Support engagement with policymakers and allies on campaign priorities.
• Monitor legislative developments and provide recommendations to campaign leadership.

Administrative & Grant Support

• Maintain lobbying, advocacy, and administrative records.
• Manage campaign documentation and expense reporting.
• Contribute to grant reporting and proposal development.
• Support planning and coordination of campaign operations.

Required Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of professional experience in advocacy, public policy, environmental campaigns, coalition building, community organizing, government relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize interdisciplinary research, including scientific, legal, or policy information.
• Strong written communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• An understanding, drawn from experience, of campaign strategy and how social change is brought about.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across diverse constituencies.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection, climate justice, and social justice.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 3–4 times per year, including domestic and international travel, for periods ranging from several days to up to one week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting coalition-based advocacy or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Familiarity with climate, ocean, environmental, or atmospheric policy.
• Experience engaging with legislative, regulatory, or international governance processes.
• Experience developing public-facing educational or advocacy materials.
• Experience with earned media or strategic communications.

Perks and Benefits:

We’re proud to be a generous, people-first employer that invests in your growth and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally:

• 37.5-hour work week to support work-life balance
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and life insurance for added security
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, including:
  • 25 vacation days in the first year
  • 15 paid holidays
  • 20 sick days
  • 3 floating holidays
  • Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August)
  • Winter break (office closed between Christmas and New Year’s)
  • Parental leave, sabbatical options, and more
• Professional development and IT stipend
• Education reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire.