Union of Concerned Scientists

WASHINGTON, DC

PROGRAM ASSISTANT – FOREST/INVASIVES

DIRECTOR, NUCLEAR SAFETY PROJECT

CONSULTANT

 VOLUNTEER

The Union of Concerned Scientists
is an equal opportunity employer
continually seeking to diversify its staff.
We offer competitive salaries,
excellent benefits,
and a rewarding work environment.  

Program Assistant – Forest/Invasives
Tropical Forest - Climate Initiative and Invasive Species Program
Washington, DC Office

The Program Assistant helps with many aspects of UCS’s work on invasive species and on tropical forests and climate change. These include research; outreach to activists, scientists, Capitol Hill, and the public; creating and preparing materials for the website and other audiences; database management; and other special projects as needed. The Program Assistant also provides administrative support, and specific support for the scientific staff, as needed. 

Responsibilities:
• Assists in the development and distribution of calls-to-action for scientists, activists, key constituencies, allies, members and committees of Congress, and the general public. Provides logistical support for – and participates in – educational events and workshops. Creates fact sheets to distribute to congressional offices. Tracks relevant legislation and provides updates.

• Conducts research and regularly monitors a range of publications for events and news on related issues. Researches and drafts short articles for UCS’s website and publications.

• Provides general administrative assistance as needed, including: scheduling meetings; taking and disseminating minutes of meetings; maintaining contacts lists; budget tracking; making travel arrangements; and other general administrative tasks. Responds to information requests.

• Drafts fact sheets, web pages, email updates/announcements, figures and tables for publication. Ensures web site content and links are up-to-date and coordinates the posting of updates and new materials. The ability to multi-task among the two projects is essential.

Basic Knowledge and skills:
A bachelor's degree or equivalent training and experience are required.

Applicants should have demonstrated strong administrative, organizational, and multi-tasking skills and have the ability to work independently as well as be an integral part of a team. The position requires self-motivation; good research and interpersonal skills; attention to detail and commitment to accuracy; familiarity with office operations; intermediate level skills in word processing, Internet browsers, spreadsheets, and database use/maintenance. Excellent written communication skills are essential.

Experience:
A demonstrated interest in and passion for work that serves the public interest and the specific mission of UCS. A minimum of two years of relevant experience as a program, administrative, or research assistant, preferably in a non-profit setting. Understanding of various research techniques plus website and database maintenance. Education in climate science, ecology, and/or invasion biology is strongly preferred. Familiarity with advocacy, outreach, and the US legislative process, is helpful, but not required. Knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish, or French helpful, but not required

Position Details:
This position is located in our Washington, DC Office with 50% of time spent each on TFCI and Invasives.

To Apply:
Please submit your resume, along with a cover letter outlining your interest in this position, to jobs@ucsusa.org, and include Program Assistant in the subject line. This position will remain open until filled.

No phone calls, please.

DIRECTOR, NUCLEAR SAFETY PROJECT
Global Security Program
Washington, DC Office

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is seeking a Director of its Nuclear Safety Project to direct and coordinate UCS' nuclear power safety project. By monitoring developments in the nuclear industry in order to assess and respond to the impact; serve as technical authority and spokesperson on nuclear safety and related issues; and initiate legal or other action to correct safety problems.

UCS is the leading science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy planet and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS currently has a membership and activist base of more than 100,000, a staff of over 100, and offices in Cambridge (MA), Washington (DC), Berkeley (CA), and Chicago (IL).

Responsibilities:

• Establish, maintain and update comprehensive knowledge base of U.S. nuclear industry issues. Monitor and assess current and ongoing activities, events, initiatives, research, practices and trends in field. 
• Monitor the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and nuclear industry to identify ongoing or developing safety problems, and proposed or implemented changes to safety requirements. Develop plan to respond to the safety problems or changes to safety requirements. 
• Initiate and coordinate legal action, and submit petitions for rulemaking, petitions for enforcement action, and allegations to the NRC to correct identified safety problems, either generic or plant-specific. 
• Serve as organization's primary technical authority and public representative on nuclear power safety and related issues.  Prepare presentations and speak at conferences. Respond to press and public inquiries. Provide information to legislative representatives and members of other non-governmental organizations.  Testify in legal and legislative proceedings.
• Work in collaboration with: (1) UCS Washington Representatives to develop Hill and administration strategies, and to meet with the appropriate staff or members; (2) GSP scientists on other aspects of nuclear power; and (3) the Nuclear Energy and Climate Change Project Manager on nuclear power issues that will arise in the context of climate change.
• Coordinate efforts of other interested organizations as appropriate.
• Write and edit reports, briefing papers, articles, letters, op-ed pieces, etc., on nuclear power and safety issues.

Qualifications:
Position requires broad comprehensive understanding of nuclear power and safety, including nuclear engineering, design and operation of various nuclear power plants, and detailed and current knowledge of NRC regulations and practices.  Knowledge is generally acquired through completion of a degree in Nuclear Engineering. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with nuclear power professionals as well as with policymakers and the public is needed.   Excellent written and verbal communications skills are required.

Experience:
Work requires at least seven years experience in an engineering position in the nuclear power industry or in a technical capacity in an organization that monitors the industry. 

Position Details:
This position will be based in our Washington, DC office. UCS offers salary commensurate with experience and training, excellent benefits, and a flexible and friendly work environment.  UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff.
 
To Apply:
Send a cover letter referencing where you learned of this job opening, résumé, writing sample (2-4 pages), and salary requirements via email to jobs@ucsusa.org; please include “Nuclear Safety Project Director” in the subject line. Electronic Submissions Only. 

No phone calls, please.

CONSULTANT

Young Scientists Outreach and Engagement Project
Union of Concerned Scientists Outreach Team

Washington, DC Office

Summary:

Engaging and developing relationships with the “next generation” of US-based scientists (graduate students and post-docs) is a major long-term priority for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) as we work to solidify our reputation and brand as the “leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy planet and a safer world.” We hope these future scientists will become invested in UCS and serve as ambassadors for our work and organization throughout the country.

The UCS Outreach Team seeks a consultant to help conceive organizational strategies to foster lasting relationships with, and build organizational awareness among, science-focused graduate students and post-docs at colleges and universities located in or near the cities in which UCS offices are located—Boston/Cambridge, MA; Washington, DC; Berkeley, CA; and Chicago, IL. We hope to initiate these relationships early in their careers before they find permanent positions throughout the country in areas important to UCS work.

The consultant will help develop a detailed plan for initial in-person events that some or all UCS offices will host in September 2009. The consultant will evaluate and provide advice on what kind of events would be most effective, or if other activities should be considered in addition to, or instead of, these events. The consultant will show how these events would work into a larger strategy to develop long-term relationships with young scientists, including clear and traceable measures for success.

Scope of Services:

The consultant scope will have two primary components:

1. September 2009 event planning—Work with UCS organizers to develop and plan events to be held in late September 2009 in at least two of the organization’s four offices—ideally all four. The events will be public events targeting graduate students and post-docs from area colleges/universities. The consultant will help shape these events by:

• consulting with UCS organizers and other select UCS staffers to get their program ideas—format, timing, venue, speakers, offerings, follow-up, and take-aways;
• outlining options for events, with special attention to cost and staff time needed to execute each option (ranging from in-office meet-and-greets to hosting an event in rented space);
• working with designated UCS organizers in each of the four offices (Berkeley, Cambridge, Chicago, and Washington, DC) responsible for event planning and to quickly make decisions by the end of June on the basic outlines of the event(s).
• assessing long-term engagement value of the event(s).

2. Long Term Engagement Report—Develop a report by July 31, 2009, outlining initial ideas, options, and recommendations for an institution-wide strategy (focusing on the aforementioned geographic areas) for engaging and building long-term relationships with young scientists that will help the organization build its scientist donor and activist base over the long term.

The report will include:

• background information about today’s young scientists that will help us understand and better reach them—demographics, social/political/other interests, social engagement/networking preferences, communication preferences, geographic or academic differences (e.g., hard vs. social sciences), etc.; and
• options for engagement that may include events, targeted membership appeals/offers, online or offline social networking opportunities, on-campus or academic association outreach or promotional opportunities, or newly established programs (e.g., fellowships, awards, competitions); for each option, describe the rationale, estimates of organizational resources needed, timelines, and metrics.

The Consultant—in coordination with the UCS Outreach Facilitator—shall have regular contact with outreach team members and other selected UCS staff and management to solicit their ideas and feedback on engagement strategies.

All work related to this project must be completed by September 25, 2009.

To Apply:

Interested parties should send a cover letter (referencing where you learned of the job opening), resume/credentials, fee structure, and a brief proposal to the attention of Scott Nathanson, consultantjob@ucsusa.org by June 11, 2009.  Please include “Consultant” in the subject line. Electronic Submissions Only.  

No phone calls, please.

VOLUNTEER

Development Department
Cambridge, MA Office

Summary:
The Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit partnership of scientists and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development, and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical environmental solutions, is seeking an energetic, long-term volunteer to become a vital part of our Membership Services team in our Harvard Square office.

Responsibilities:

The volunteer will be responsible for distributing educational materials upon request to both members and non-members.  Position provides an excellent opportunity to learn about environmental issues while supporting a non-profit. The volunteer will also be asked to assist with coordinating invitations to events and conference calls. Other projects include: assisting with the maintenance of confidential files and using office machinery such as the copier, folding machine, postage machine, printers, and computer.

Basic Knowledge:

Basic computer skills are required. Great opportunity to volunteer for an independent, science-based organization working on issues impacting the planet we live on. Schedule is flexible but requires a 4-6 hour per week commitment during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Position is available beginning in August 2009 with training and orientation opportunities in late July.

To Apply:

Please send cover letter outlining your interest and availability, along with your resume or history of employment, to jobs@ucsusa.org, and put "Membership Volunteer" in the subject line. We will accept applications until the position is filled.