Communications Writer

Environmental Law & Policy Center • Full-time • Chicago, IL • 1d ago

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is seeking a full-time Communications Writer to join our Communications team. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, this position will support ELPC's editorial calendar, develop compelling content across multiple channels, and help elevate the stories, people, and policy solutions advancing environmental progress throughout the Midwest.
This role is ideal for a strong writer, editor, and project manager who is passionate about environmental advocacy and skilled at translating complex policy, legal, scientific, and clean energy issues into engaging content for diverse audiences. The Communications Writer position will work closely with program experts, campaign leads, fundraising staff, and communications colleagues to create content that advances ELPC's advocacy, public engagement, and fundraising goals.

About ELPC:
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest’s premier public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization and is among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead strategic environmental legal and policy advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural resources. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business dealmaking with diverse interests to put into practice our sustainability principles that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together.

ELPC drives transformational environmental policy changes at the national and regional level. We advance climate solutions with a focus on clean energy and transportation alternatives. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places and resources, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation and strategic policy advocacy, sound science and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative and administrative hearing rooms across the Midwest and in Washington, D.C.

ELPC’s growing multidisciplinary staff of talented public interest attorneys, policy advocates, data scientists and communications specialists bring a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. Our headquarters is in downtown Chicago, with additional offices and staff across the Midwest states and in Washington, DC. ELPC’s annual budget is about $15 million. Please visit www.ELPC.org.

ELPC is proud to be honored by receiving the American Bar Association's 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship. This prominent national award recognizes ELPC’s significant accomplishments and demonstrated leadership on sustainable environmental and energy advocacy.

Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest and nationally during these extraordinary and challenging times.

TITLE: Communications Writer

LOCATION: Chicago, ILwith a hybrid work environment that includes required days in the office each week

HOURS PER WEEK: Full time

REPORTS TO: Chief Communications Officer

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Content Creation & Storytelling

Write, edit, and publish blogs, feature stories, website content, email newsletters, campaign materials, reports, donor communications, and other written content.
Collaborate with the Development Team on fundraising materials, i.e. donor packets, fact sheets, appeal letters, etc.
Ensure website content remains current, accurate, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Content Planning & Editorial Management

Support a robust editorial calendar, ensuring a steady monthly cadence of high-quality content across all channels
Manage content workflows, timelines, approvals, and publishing schedules to ensure writing projects are completed on time and meet quality standards.
Identify timely opportunities to create content around policy developments, environmental issues, organizational victories, and emerging news.

Collaboration & Content Quality

Review and edit content from internal contributors to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to ELPC's voice and messaging standards.
Partner with digital and social media colleagues to adapt and promote content across platforms.
Use analytics, audience insights, and SEO best practices to improve content performance and engagement.
Work collaboratively across departments to ensure communications efforts support organizational priorities and campaign objectives.

Required Qualifications

5-7 years of experience in content marketing, journalism, communications, public affairs, nonprofit communications, or a related field.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience creating content for a variety of audiences and platforms.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex policy, legal, technical, scientific, or environmental topics into engaging, audience-centered content.
Strong project management and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
Familiarity with SEO principles, content analytics, and digital content best practices.
Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and multiple stakeholders.
Proficiency with content management systems such as WordPress and project management tools like Asana.
Commitment to environmental protection, climate solutions, and environmental justice.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in environmental, advocacy, nonprofit, public policy, legal, or mission-driven organizations.
Experience supporting fundraising and donor communications.
Knowledge of Midwest environmental, climate, clean energy, conservation, or transportation issues.

Compensation
ELPC offers an attractive salary and benefits package, competitive to leading national environmental non-profits. For candidates who fully meet the requirements above, salary will range from $75,000 - $80,000.