Media Relations Specialist - Energy & Climate

Environmental Law & Policy Center • Full-time • Chicago, IL • 2d ago

If you are a media relations pro with experience in clean energy and climate, this could be your next great opportunity! This is an extraordinary time in which ELPC’s effective legal and policy advocacy – backed by strong economic analysis, sound science and public engagement – are essential for protecting our core environmental values.

TITLE: Media Relations Specialist - Energy & Climate

LOCATION: Chicago with a hybrid work environment

HOURS PER WEEK: Full time, 40 hours/week

ABOUT ELPC
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

JOB SUMMARY:
This is an urgent moment for accelerating renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy affordability and climate action. ELPC’s Energy and Climate teams drive deep legal, policy, and regulatory work to accelerate clean energy, modernize the electric grid, and move the Midwest away from fossil fuels. We work with utility regulators, public officials, clean energy businesses and utilities with environmental and community partners and clients at the state, regional, and federal levels to advance solutions that work well.

The Clean Energy & Climate Media Relations Specialist is a key strategist and implementer responsible for telling the story of this work, primarily through earned media, and increasingly through integrated communications campaigns across owned and shared channels.
This role spends approximately 70% of time on media relations, including pitching stories, managing press strategy, and supporting spokespeople. The remaining time focuses on broader communications tactics: shaping narratives, developing content, supporting digital and social campaigns, and helping translate complex legal and policy work into compelling, accessible public-facing communications.

This position serves as a communications partner to ELPC’s Energy and Climate teams and a core member of the Communications team, helping drive strong internal coordination and external impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Media Relations & Earned Media (Primary Focus)

Develop and execute earned media approaches to generate high-impact press coverage around ELPC’s clean energy and climate initiatives.
Pitch and maintain strong relationships with key reporters and editors across nine Midwest states and nationally.
Draft press releases, media advisories, op-eds, talking points, FAQs, and background materials.
Prepare ELPC experts for media engagement and help shape clear, compelling messaging.
Conceive of and support press events, briefings, and media moments in coordination with partners and coalitions.

Integrated Communications & Content Strategy

Build complimentary communications strategies for priority energy and climate issues that integrate earned media with storytelling, content development, and digital amplification.
Identify, write, and edit stories for ELPC’s owned channels, including blog posts, web content, and longer-form narratives.
Collaborate on the creation and dissemination of policy reports, fact sheets, toolkits, and campaign materials.
Work closely with the Digital Strategist to provide subject-matter expertise and content support for social media and digital campaigns.

Collaboration & Team Support

Serve as a communications thought partner to ELPC attorneys, policy advocates, and researchers working on energy and climate issues.
Contribute to the Communications team’s editorial calendar, story review process, and web content development.
Support cross-team coordination to ensure messaging consistency and strategic alignment across campaigns.
Jump in on other communications projects as needed in a fast-paced advocacy environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required.
5–7 years of experience in media relations and strategic communications for advocacy organizations, or work in journalism (with a strong preference for environmental, energy, or policy experience).
Demonstrated successes pitching and placing stories, op-eds, and commentary in regional and national media outlets.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Existing knowledge and experience in clean energy, climate change, or utility and regulatory issues.
Strong media relations skills with a track record of building and maintaining reporter relationships.
Existing relationships with Midwest and national environmental or energy reporters are a plus.
Excellent writer and editor who can quickly translate complex legal and policy concepts into clear, compelling public-facing language.
Experience building advocacy-focused communications campaigns that support policy and legal strategies.
Highly organized, deadline-driven, and able to manage multiple projects across teams.
Collaborative, flexible, and eager to support broader communications efforts as needed.

SALARY
The salary range is $80,000–$90,000. benefits, including healthcare and retirement, are provided.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply online due to a disability, please email gcronin@elpc.org for assistance with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in.