Campaign Organizer, Maryland PIRG

Maryland PIRG seeks a Campaign Organizer to lead our campaigns to protect public health and reduce the influence of money in politics.

Through Maryland PIRG we’re standing up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in our democratic society. For more than 40 years, we’ve stood up for Maryland consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests. Recently, we won major victories in getting big money out of local elections and making Maryland the second state in the country to ban the routine use of antibiotics on factory farms.

About the Job

The Campaign Organizer will advocate with legislators and the Governor’s office; meet with state regulators; plan media events and media outreach; as well as run grassroots organizing, recruitment, fundraising and coalition-building to push for solutions that protect public health and fight the corrosive influence of big money in our political system.

The Organizer will primarily focus on these issues:

Get big money out of politics: Large and corporate campaign contributions, which few of us can afford to make, have undue influence over who can run for office, who wins, and ultimately the public policies they produce. Our democracy campaign works to curb the influence of corporate and mega donors by establishing small donor campaign financing in Maryland communities and statewide. These programs provide matching funds for small donors to candidates who don’t take large and corporate contributions.

Toxic-free Maryland: We are exposed to dangerous chemicals in our homes, schools, places of work and the products we use every day. The rates of serious chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, cancer, infertility and developmental disorders are increasing in the United States, and science increasingly links the occurrence of these health problems with toxic chemical exposure. Maryland PIRG is organizing the public and running corporate and state legislative campaigns to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.

Additionally, the Campaign Organizer will need to be nimble and ready to help represent Maryland PIRG on our entire legislative agenda in Annapolis and throughout the state.

Reponsibilities

As the Maryland PIRG Campaign Organizer you’ll exercise independent judgment and discretion to help develop policy solutions and implement a variety of campaign strategies to mobilize the public and influence insiders. Representative responsibilities include:

• Program Development: Help develop programs and campaigns, including researching the issue, creating viable policy solutions, and proposing the right political strategy and messaging.
• Advocacy: Represent Maryland PIRG in legislative meetings and hearings. Build relationships with players in key regulatory agencies, the Governor’s office, the Capitol and more.
• Campaign Strategy: Develop plans to win our campaigns; assess opportunities for building political support for our agenda through coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media coverage, and message development.
• Coalition Building: Build relationships and mobilize support with key constituencies, from health professionals, business owners, and farmers, to local elected officials and families.
• Media Outreach: Serve as the spokesperson for our campaigns through tactics like media events, press releases and editorial board meetings.
• Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff, and meet with major donors, all to bring more resources to our campaigns.
• Managing Interns: Recruit new interns and volunteers to increase our impact and build our power. Oversee interns to develop and implement work plans, provide training and leadership development opportunities.

Qualifications

We're looking for a goal-driven and results-oriented individual who is committed to the public interest — someone with leadership, initiative, and the verbal and written skills necessary to make the case that protecting public health must be a top priority. Candidates should have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience, including (but not limited to) work in political, policy, legal, journalistic or government settings. Advanced degrees, including a J.D. or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate's professional experience.