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The State PIRGs

Development Opportunities with the state PIRGs:

Background
From global warming to the high cost of prescription drugs, from toxic chemicals fouling our waterways to wilderness lost to logging and sprawl, from shore to shore, citizen to citizen, there is one thing Americans agree on: there are too many problems facing us all.

At the forefront of these issues is the National Association of State PIRGs. For over 30 years, the State PIRGs have worked tirelessly to craft solutions to many of America's most pressing needs. A network of state-based public interest organizations, the PIRGs work on the local, state, and federal level to protect our environment and public health, safeguard consumers, and ensure a fair and transparent government with only the public interest at heart.

Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposes, grassroots organizing smart lobbying strategies, and litigation, PIRG efforts have led to numerous new protections for our environment, safety, and public health, many the first of their kind in the nation. Along the way, we have also built one of the nation's strongest public advocacy organizations, active in all 50 states and Washington, DC and with over 500 dedicated professionals, 100 campus chapters, 500,000 members, and thousands of canvass staff organizing the public each year.

1) State PIRG Grantseeking Department Director
Job Description
Working with the Development Director for the National Association of State PIRGs, the Grants Department Director will oversee the efforts of the organization's development staff and grant writers to assist the grantseeking efforts of over 150 environmental and public interest attorneys, advocates, organizers, and scientists across the country.
Departmental functions include:

- Grantseeking Assistance - working with staff across the country to develop and implement strategic grantseeking plans to raise money for environmental and public interest projects;

- Foundation Targeting - researching, identifying and assigning appropriate foundation targets for state PIRG and affiliated project staff;

- Proposal Writing and Editing - drafting and editing proposals on environmental, consumer and good government issues for PIRG and affiliated organizations;

- Clearinghouse - helping to maintain an extensive database on current and prospective funders and provide information to grantseekers about these foundations upon request.

The Director will be responsible for planning, budgeting, staff oversight in addition to participation in all departmental functions. The Director should also be capable of representing the organization directly to foundational donors.

Location
Los Angeles, CA.

Qualifications
To fulfill this vital role, the National Association of State PIRGs seeks applicants who possess a strong commitment to public interest issues, and demonstrated experience and expertise in development and particularly in grant writing.

Successful candidates will also bring all or most of the following skills and attributes to the position:

- Excellent writing, messaging, and analytical skills
- Strong verbal communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
- Energy and commitment to the PIRG mission and grassroots approach to change
- A team orientation that combines collegiality and creativity to drive and motivate others
- An outstanding work ethic and an entrepreneurial mindset
- A willingness to engage in conflict in creative and strategic ways

Candidates for this position should have at least eight or more years of relevant professional experience, post-college, with at least five years experience in development and fundraising positions.. Overall relevant experience includes (but is not limited to) working 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 for this position is commensurate with the amount of relevant professional experience that a candidate possesses. A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, paid vacation and sick days, parental leave, and a dependent care assistance program. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

2) State PIRG Development Researcher
Job Description
The State PIRGs are hiring a Development Researcher to help raise money to save the environment, protect consumers, and reinvigorate our democracy by helping find large donors able and willing to support our work. Specifically, the Development Researcher will:

- Identify potential individual and foundation donors, match potential funders to current campaigns and projects, and oversee the movement of identified prospective donors through the various stages leading to the solicitation of funding.

- Conduct in-depth research on individuals and foundations using print and electronic sources as well as in-house files and documents and interviews with fundraising staff.

- Assist in determining and implementing strategies for cultivation and solicitation.

- Maintain and enhance PIRG's computerized donor tracking system.

Location
Los Angeles, CA

Qualifications
To qualify, candidates must have a minimum of two years experience, preferably in positions requiring in-depth research and or database analysis. Critical qualities include curiosity, creativity, tenacity, superior attention to detail, demonstrated outstanding written and verbal communications skills (a writing sample will be required of all final candidates), comfort working in a team atmosphere, and the ability to work well under deadline and to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. In-depth knowledge of World Wide Web searching, fluency in Word, Excel, and Access is essential, and familiarity with Dialog or Nexis a definite plus. Experience in development with a public interest advocacy organization or experience on political campaigns is preferred. Advanced degrees, including a JD or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate's professional experience.

Salary & Benefits
Salary for this position is commensurate with the amount of relevant professional experience that a candidate possesses. A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, paid vacation and sick days, parental leave, and a dependent care assistance program. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

3) Fund for Public Interest Research Major Donor Director

For more information, contact Amy Perry at 617.747.4360 or careers@pirg.org.

The Direct Mail Program Director will oversee the PIRGs’ entire in-house mail program, working closely with the state PIRG’s Publications department and the directors of over 30 PIRG and PIRG-affiliated organizations to choose which campaigns to highlight in direct mail materials. The Director with then design and coordinate the production of multiple mailings each month, working with printers to ensure the smooth production of the monthly mailings and with mail houses to ensure that our mailings are sent on schedule.

The Director will also be responsible for tracking and analyzing giving results for each mailing to further develop and refine direct mail strategies for each PIRG organization and boosting direct mail returns. Other responsibilities include keeping the directors of each state PIRG and state PIRG-affiliated organization up to date on the performance of their state’s direct mail project, overseeing the Direct Mail Department’s budget and staff and managing relations with advocacy and supervisory staff of each state PIRG and PIRG-affiliated organization.

Beyond developing ongoing direct mail strategies for existing and inactive members, the Direct Mail Program Director will focus extensively on developing messages and strategies to prospect new members. The Director will work with PIRG’s membership information services department and other PIRG staff to make sure all appropriate internal contact lists are utilized for prospecting new members. The Director will also work with other fundraising departments and consultants to acquire appropriate outside lists of potential members, and determine the best prospecting strategies utilizing all of the PIRG’s fundraising operations. As with ongoing member fundraising, the Director will develop direct mail messaging and outreach campaigns for these prospective members, experimenting with different campaigns based on PIRG’s multiple issue areas, political strategies, and local, state, or federal level programs, then analyze the results and hone PIRG member prospecting strategies.

Location
Boston, MA

Qualifications
To fulfill this vital role, the National Association of State PIRGs seeks applicants who possess a strong commitment to public interest issues, and demonstrated experience and expertise in development and particularly in direct mail fundraising.

Candidates for this position should have at least eight or more years of relevant professional experience, post-college, with at least five years experience in development positions relevant to direct mail fundraising. Overall relevant experience includes (but is not limited to) working 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.

Successful candidates will also bring all or most of the following skills and attributes to the position:

- Excellent writing, messaging, and analytical skills
- Strong verbal communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
- Energy and commitment to the PIRG mission and grassroots approach to change
- A team orientation that combines collegiality and creativity to drive and motivate others
- An outstanding work ethic and an entrepreneurial mindset
- A willingness to engage in conflict in creative and strategic ways
- Experience with Microsoft Access and Excel.

Salary & Benefits
Salary for this position is commensurate with the amount of relevant professional experience that a candidate possesses. A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, paid vacation and sick days, parental leave, and a dependent care assistance program. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.