Carbon Management Public Relations and Communications Strategist 

Program/Role:   Carbon Management Public Relations and Communications Strategist 

Location:   Flexible. GPI’s headquarters is based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN. 

Reports to:   Vice President for Carbon Management  

Type of Position:   Full-time position 

Compensation:    Salary range: $65K-$85K, depending upon experience and location of candidate. Benefits include health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, long-term and short-term disability, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, and a communication stipend. 

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE  

One of the nation’s leading energy and climate policy organizations, the mission of the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy and the environment. At a time of great political, social, economic and environmental challenges confronting our nation and the world, GPI’s success in achieving implementation of groundbreaking policies and initiatives at the federal, state and local levels is generating significant impact and creating opportunities to add dedicated and talented members to our team. Our programs focus on building a prosperous, equitable and net-zero emissions energy and industrial economy, and they are supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies.  GPI’s operations are national in scope, yet our organization retains a strong presence in the Upper Midwest. A tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, MN, GPI’s nearly 50 professionals call Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and Wyoming home. GPI has five program areas: Carbon Management, Communities, Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, and Transportation & Fuels. Please visit www.betterenergy.org to learn more.  

ABOUT THE CARBON MANAGEMENT PROGRAM   

GPI’s Carbon Management Program is dedicated to fostering deployment of solutions at climate scale for managing carbon emissions from energy, industry and manufacturing, while protecting and creating high-wage, family-sustaining jobs and providing economic and environmental benefits to affected communities. Through our staffing and coordination of the Carbon Capture Coalition at the federal level, the State Carbon Capture Work Group and Regional Deployment Initiative, and Industrial Innovation Initiative, GPI’s Carbon Management Program is playing a transformative role in building broad industry, labor, and NGO engagement and support for federal and state policies necessary to put our nation on a path to net-zero emissions and achieving midcentury climate goals. The Carbon Management Program is a fast-paced collaborative team with an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages and appreciates equal contribution from members at all levels of the team. 

ABOUT THE CARBON MANAGEMENT ACTION NETWORK  

Through the development of a National Carbon Management Action Network (Action Network), GPI’s Carbon Management Program is establishing for the first time an integrated national communications and campaign infrastructure dedicated to advancing federal and state carbon management policies. The Action Network will bring under one umbrella our federal, state and regional carbon management efforts and galvanize our growing national network of nearly 1,000 industry, labor, NGO and other stakeholders and state officials to advocate for priority policies. The Action Network will coordinate and leverage the above-referenced federal, state and regional initiatives to galvanize growing grasstops and grassroots engagement, integrate and expand federal and state legislative action and implementation; connect key stakeholders and constituency groups with policymakers in state capitols across the country and in Washington, DC; and work to align stakeholders and communities to foster an equitable approach to deployment of carbon management projects and infrastructure across energy, industrial and manufacturing sectors. 

THIS POSITION   

The Carbon Management Public Relations and Communications Strategist (the Strategist) will develop public relations and communications strategies and content aimed at building media, policymaker and constituency understanding and support for economywide deployment of carbon capture, removal, transport, use, and storage as essential to meeting climate goals and to support domestic high-wage jobs, energy and industrial production, and manufacturing. The Strategist will specifically help the Action Network leverage the participants and capabilities of GPI’s four carbon management initiatives (the Carbon Capture Coalition, State Carbon Capture Work Group, Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative, and Industrial Innovation Initiative). The Strategist will work alongside staff, contractors, and initiative participants collectively to enhance their capabilities to respond more effectively to critics of carbon capture and misrepresentations of the technology, its climate benefits, performance, cost, and other factors, including both rapid response and more proactive engagement. The Strategist will also draw on recently completed opinion research in five key states—Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania—to fortify carbon management messaging strategies and to bolster educational efforts at the state, regional and federal levels. 

The Strategist will be expected to work both independently and with colleagues on projects. The successful candidate will be able to complete various work elements from conception to completion in a timely manner and also to follow direction that may be detailed or minimal. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work collaboratively and constructively with project participants from diverse backgrounds, interests and points of view; exercise good judgment in a variety of situations; maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities; utilize effective methods for time management and prioritization of tasks; and possess the ability to identify and address urgent and important needs in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Hours may be flexible and are typically Monday through Friday during the business day; some nights and weekends may be required. Some travel will also be required. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

Provide public relations and communications support for the Action Network and collaborate on other work with the Carbon Management Team, including: 

• Drafting of extensive content, including op-eds and LTEs, blog posts, issue briefs/factsheets, press releases, social media posts, messaging guidance and other materials; 
• Development and execution of an editorial calendar that aligns with identified communications objectives; 
• Participate in and contribute to a landscape analysis of key messages and messengers relating to carbon capture, removal, transport, use, and storage, including key elements of a more strategic and proactive response to critics of carbon management as a climate strategy; 
• Identification of key media markets; 
• Monitoring media content relating to carbon capture, removal, transport, use and storage; and 
• Support other Carbon Management Program projects (when needed and as directed).
• Work with GPI’s broader communications team to ensure coordination with organizational communications.  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS  

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant proven skills and experience.
• Experience in journalism or professional writing role and demonstrated excellence in writing skills.
• Ability to translate and communicate complex scientific, technological, economic, and policy issues to diverse lay audiences. Experience writing on one or more of these topics a plus.
• High attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent time and deadline management, project management and team relationship skills.
• Knowledge of, or prior experience with climate, energy and/or environmental issues a plus.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with very diverse individuals and institutions, including those with different backgrounds and political perspectives, with which you may personally disagree.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the Great Plains Institute and its Carbon Management Program. 

The Carbon Management team is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. 

EQUIPMENT USED  

Desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, calculator, printer, telephone. 

 HOW TO APPLY    

 Complete your application here. 

(Link address if needed: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/1001677/Great-Plains-Institute-for-Sustainable-Development/Carbon-Management-Public-Relations-and-Communications-Strategist)  

 Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

 The Great Plains Institute is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. GPI is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all.