Communications Associate

Power Lines is a national nonprofit organization that aims to modernize the utility regulatory system for American energy consumers to lower utility bills and grow the economy. It focuses on state public utilities commissions (PUCs), which play a critical role in determining how much people pay for utility bills, how utilities invest in different types of energy, and where new energy projects are built.

These 200 commissioners oversee more than $200 billion in utility spending each year and have significant influence over the future of our energy system.

Power Lines is seeking a full-time Communications Associate to support core communications work streams. The ideal candidate will be a scrappy team player who takes initiative, brings a growth mindset, and leverages creative and strategic thinking. This person should also be eager to wear multiple hats, manage multiple high-impact work streams, and maintain adaptability in a dynamic, high-velocity startup environment.

The Communications Associate will have exposure to leading national and local reporters and media outlets, a portfolio of stimulating projects, and an ability to contribute outsized impact in an under addressed and dynamic problem space. This person will have the opportunity to take Power Lines’ initial success in informing the national and local discussion on energy affordability to the next level, growing its platform as a leading consumer voice amidst a crisis of rising utility bills.

As an early member of the Power Lines team, and its first full-time communications hire, this person will play a critical role in shaping the trajectory of the national energy affordability conversation and Power Lines’ communications work moving forward.

Power Lines is headquartered in Washington, DC. This position can either be hybrid or remote. The communications associate will report to the Founder and Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Public Relations
• Provide logistical support for reporter and multimedia partnerships, including assisting in managing partnerships, tracking relationships, updating journalist contacts and media lists, gathering materials, and scheduling
• Manage internal tracker of communications hits and media clips, including Power Lines media mentions
• Assist with development of pitches to various media outlets
• Attend relevant events and conferences
• Support initial drafting of press releases
• Research
• Evaluate trends in national and local media coverage and social media discourse (e.g., Facebook, Reddit, Tik Tok, Next Door) regarding the issue of rising utility bills
• Produce research memos and other prep materials to support media interviews
• Manage internal database tracker of external media pieces focused on rising utility bills, including press clips, social media mentions, and other materials
• Support planning, research, and implementation of multimedia efforts, including short and longform video and audio content
• Develop weekly internal utility bills communications report on utility bills coverage
• Social and Digital Media
• Develop social media content calendar and editorial calendar to inform Power Lines’ communications-related content development
• Manage Power Lines’ social media accounts and maintain regular posting schedule
• Lead development of social and digital media posts and toolkits for Power Lines and core partners
• Support identification and collection of stories of energy consumers impacted by rising utility bills
• Support production of multimedia content as needed
• Monitor social media trends, engagement analytics, and audience insights to inform and refine communications strategies
• Coordinate digital campaigns around key announcements, events, and launches
• Draft copy for Power Lines website, newsletter, blog posts, and reports

The ideal candidate for this role will be a savvy communications expert, a superb project manager, and an entrepreneurial team player capable of juggling varied work streams. As Power Lines is an early-stage startup nonprofit organization, an ability to proactively identify opportunities, operate nimbly in a dynamic startup environment, and maintain deep passion for Power Lines’ mission is critical to…