Communications Specialist / Senior Communications Specialist — U.S. & Canada HDV and PV, plus Marine, Aviation, and Fuels

Job description

Engagement Type: Regular full-time staff position Reports to: Global Communications Manager U.S. Media and Partnership Landscape ICCT is looking for someone who already possesses media savvy and a demonstrated ability to build and nurture relationships. This role is expected to expand ICCT's reach by building relationships with national- and state-level contacts across an increasingly disparate U.S. media landscape — from highly visible journalists running their own Substack, to trade publications, podcasters and YouTubers, and traditional outlets. ICCT is also looking to strengthen its roster of spokespeople, so experience with media training and coaching, or experience organizing trainings, is highly valuable. Building and supporting partnerships is likewise a priority as ICCT participates in more bilateral partnerships and coalitions, and as it looks for existing coalitions its work can support. The U.S. media and policy landscape is in flux, and this role requires a strategic thinker who can lead the team's approach in the current environment and continue adapting it as the media and policy environments evolve over the next three to five years. Senior Communications Specialist Position Summary: The Senior Communications Specialist builds on the responsibilities of a Communications Specialist with greater independence and specialization across ICCT's U.S. and Canada Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) and Passenger Vehicle (PV) programs, as well as ICCT's Marine, Aviation, and Fuels program work when targeted at a U.S. audience. The Senior Specialist coordinates with senior ICCT leaders to lead strategic planning and outreach efforts across this portfolio, coordinates translations of technical publications, and serves as the primary liaison between the communications team and the relevant program staff. Core Responsibilities Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of strategic communications plans covering U.S. and Canada HDV and PV, and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels communications. Coordination: Serve as liaison between ICCT's HDV/PV research and program staff (and, for U.S.-facing content, Marine/Aviation/Fuels staff) and the global communications team to ensure all communications activities across this portfolio are coordinated and align with ICCT processes and priorities, including by maintaining editorial and communications outreach calendars. Media: Lead media strategy across this portfolio by building and nurturing relationships with national- and state-level media contacts across a disparate media landscape — including independent journalists (e.g., those publishing on Substack), trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional outlets covering vehicles, marine, aviation, and fuels policy; proactively pitch stories; and produce press releases, statements, and other promotional materials communicating this portfolio's initiatives. Spokesperson Development: Lead the development of ICCT's roster of spokespeople, including by organizing and delivering media training and coaching for researchers and staff. Partnerships: Lead the development of bilateral partnerships and coalitions relevant to this portfolio, including by identifying and cultivating existing coalitions that ICCT's work can support. Digital: Manage digital assets (including social media channels) for U.S. and Canada HDV/PV content and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels content by planning, producing, and scheduling content. Collaborate with ICCT's Digital Coordinator and other leaders to plan digital strategies that advance policy goals. Events: Coordinate, lead, and represent ICCT at virtual/in-person events, workshops, conferences, and publication launches tied to this portfolio, including planning, logistics, material development, facilitation, panel moderation, external promotion, and coordination with external vendors. Production: Facilitate the progression of HDV/PV and U.S.-audience Marine/Aviation/Fuels publications through ICCT's editorial process, with particular emphasis on projects requiring comprehensive outreach. Support researchers and the editorial team to ensure efficient publication management. Internal Communications: Proactively inform ICCT staff about communications plans and activities across this portfolio, including by leading trainings or informational sessions. Insights: Proactively monitor, analyze, and report on the information ecosystem relevant to U.S. and Canada vehicle policy and U.S.-audience marine, aviation, and fuels policy, maintaining deep understanding of the policy and media landscape as it impacts this portfolio. Metrics: Track, analyze, and report on metrics from communication channels relevant to this portfolio, including websites, social media, newsletters, and earned media. Contract Management: Supervise the communications-related work of ICCT consultants engaged within this portfolio. Global Communications: Develop, lead, and support global communications projects that draw on this portfolio, including piloting new tools and managing campaigns that go beyond a single program. Supervision: May supervise 1–2 staff members in the performance of specific communications tasks (e.g., social media management or event planning) related to this portfolio. Qualifications At least 7 years of relevant experience in communications, with expertise in developing and implementing strategic communication initiatives. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant discipline; a graduate-level degree is a plus. Expertise in public communications, including designing, implementing, and evaluating media outreach and campaigns. Demonstrated media savvy and an established track record building and nurturing relationships across a broad range of media formats — from national- and state-level journalists and independent commentators (e.g., Substack writers) to trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional outlets. Experience with media training and coaching, or organizing trainings, to build and strengthen a spokesperson roster. Experience building and supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalitions. Demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to lead a team's communications approach in a dynamic, rapidly evolving media and policy environment, adapting strategy over a multi-year horizon. Outstanding writing and public speaking skills, with an exceptional ability to communicate technical information and policy details on vehicle, marine, aviation, and fuels topics to individuals from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Demonstrated experience managing and supervising the work of contractors and vendors; 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 given this role's scope. Communications Specialist Position Summary: The Communications Specialist will be responsible for ICCT's U.S. and Canada Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) and Passenger Vehicle (PV) programs, as well as ICCT's Marine, Aviation, and Fuels program work when targeted at a U.S. audience. The Specialist contributes to strategic planning and outreach efforts across this portfolio, coordinates translations of technical publications as needed, and serves as a primary liaison between the communications team and the relevant program staff. Core Responsibilities Strategy: In collaboration with the Global Communications Manager, the U.S. and Canada HDV/PV program leaders, relevant Marine/Aviation/Fuels program staff, the global communications team, and others, develop and implement strategic communications plans covering U.S. and Canada HDV and PV, and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels communications. Coordination: Serve as liaison between ICCT's HDV/PV research and program staff (and, for U.S.-facing content, Marine/Aviation/Fuels staff) and the global communications team to maintain editorial and communications outreach calendars across this portfolio. Media: Conduct media outreach by building and nurturing relationships with national- and state-level media contacts across a disparate media landscape — including independent journalists (e.g., those publishing on Substack), trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional outlets covering vehicles, marine, aviation, and fuels policy; proactively pitch stories; and produce press releases, statements, and other promotional materials communicating this portfolio's initiatives. Spokesperson Development: Support the development of ICCT's roster of spokespeople, including by contributing to media training and coaching efforts for researchers and staff. Partnerships: Support the development of bilateral partnerships and coalitions relevant to this portfolio, including by helping identify existing coalitions that ICCT's work can support. Digital: Manage digital assets (including social media channels) for U.S. and Canada HDV/PV content and U.S.-audience Marine, Aviation, and Fuels content by planning, producing, and scheduling content. Events: Support the organization of virtual/in-person events, workshops, conferences, and publication launches tied to this portfolio, including planning, logistics, material development, external promotion, and coordination with external vendors. Production: Facilitate the progression of HDV/PV and U.S.-audience Marine/Aviation/Fuels publications through ICCT's editorial process, with particular emphasis on projects requiring comprehensive outreach. Internal Communications: Inform ICCT staff about communications plans and activities across this portfolio, including by contributing to trainings or informational sessions. Insights: Monitor and report on the information ecosystem relevant to U.S. and Canada vehicle policy and U.S.-audience marine, aviation, and fuels policy for news and mentions of ICCT-relevant topics. Metrics: Track and report on metrics from communication channels relevant to this portfolio, including websites, social media, newsletters, and earned media. Contract Management: Support the coordination of the communications-related work of ICCT consultants engaged within this portfolio. Qualifications At least 5 years of relevant experience in communications, with demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communication initiatives. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g., communications, journalism, or public relations); a graduate-level degree is a plus. Demonstrated experience in public communications, including designing and implementing media outreach and campaigns. Demonstrated media savvy and experience building and nurturing relationships across a broad range of media formats — from national- and state-level journalists and independent commentators (e.g., Substack writers) to trade publications, podcasters/YouTubers, and traditional outlets. Experience supporting media training or coaching for spokespeople, or organizing trainings, is a plus. Experience supporting partnerships, bilateral relationships, or coalition-building efforts is a plus. Outstanding writing and public speaking skills, with an exceptional ability to communicate technical information and policy details on vehicle, marine, aviation, and fuels topics to individuals from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Experience working with contractors and vendors, including providing guidance and feedback on work products. 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 given this role's scope. Physical Requirements and Work Environment (both levels) Ability to remain in a stationary position (e.g., sitting or standing) for extended periods. Ability to operate standard office equipment, such as a computer, keyboard, and telephone. Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via written correspondence. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The salary for a communications specialist in DC is $89,200/ year. The salary for a senior communications specialist in DC is $103,600/ year. The salary for a communications specialist in SF is $98,100/ year. The salary for a senior communications specialist in SF is $114,000/ year. We offer an excellent benefits package, including health insurance, substantial paid vacation, retirement contribution with a generous 7% employer contribution, transportation subsidies, and other benefits. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.