Great Green Job of the Week: Copywriter & Public Relations Specialist

San Diego, CA US

The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to Greening Your WorldSM through public programs and services including free workshops, rebate programs, outreach events and public education.

Working for a sustainable energy future is our job. Make it yours, too.

Position Overview:

California Center for Sustainable Energy seeks a sharp, detail-oriented copywriter and public relations specialist to create, edit, and produce COMPELLING and CREATIVE written copy content for brochures, newsletters, print ads, presentations, web, recruiting event and support materials, and electronic communications that will drive the reader to action.

Responsibilities include drafting, reviewing, editing, and obtaining approvals for internal and external communications documents (including but not limited to press releases, talking points, newsletters, printed materials, electronic messages, slide presentations, etc.) Must have an expert ability to ensure all written communication and public relations efforts represent and are consistent with the appropriate image, branding, and message of CCSE.

The candidate must liaise with program managers on copywriting and public relations opportunities such as public events, press conferences and program launches. The copywriter and public relations specialist will be responsible for reporting, interviewing and writing newsletter articles, website copy, ad material, broadcast media scripts, talking points, press releases and the annual report. Projects will focus on the HOT topics of climate change, solar and other renewable energy sources, green building, energy efficiency and alternative fuel vehicles. The ideal candidate will be able to relay a passion for the environment, adapt writing styles to appropriate markets and have a knack for making complicated material easily understandable by the general public.

The winning candidate must have a desire to be challenged daily and to work in a fast-paced and highly motivated team environment. The candidate must have excellent grammar, editing, listening, research, and creative writing skills, along with a solid understanding of branding of concepts, consumer experience and a critical eye for design, combined with an ability to understand and contribute new ideas to marketing activities, programs and events. Expert creative copywriting skills and the ability to create and edit compelling and convincing content for brochures, newsletters, print ads, presentations, web, PowerPoint presentations, video and audio scripts, and email communications that will drive the reader to action.

The successful candidate is an innovative self-starter with good follow-up skills who relishes being a part of a successful, results-oriented team serving a talented complement of unique clients. Must be willing to collaborate on projects and work well with others. A desire to provide superior in-house customer service when collaborating is a must. An ability to respond quickly to last minute media requests and work within tight deadlines is an integral part of the copywriter’s ongoing responsibilities.

The position calls for someone with a knack for helping conceive of and coordinate multiple projects and events, including creating media events. Meticulous planning is required. This position is very hands-on and eminently rewarding. There is room for a lot of creative thinking and initiative.

Responsibilities:

Duties are illustrative and may vary with individual assignment. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide copywriting and administrative support for all marketing and public relations functions including special events, collateral development, web activities, program launches, media campaigns, news conferences, speaker’s bureau, trade shows and policy administration.
• Draft copy for newsletters, website, press release, advertising materials and other company documents.
• Coordinate, manage, edit, update, and oversee the production and printing of CCSE publications.
• Write all newsletter articles for the CSI and CCSE newsletters.
• Assist in all copywriting tasks related to events and ad campaigns.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, members and the general public.
• Validate and fulfill requests for marketing copywriting and PR tasks.
• Track requests, tasks and customer feedback from the various programs.
• Track media and public relations placements and public response.
• Assist with the deliverables for events and manage delivery of displays, gifts and media kits as needed.
• Assists in the development of promotional strategies and program development.
• Update company news and headlines on the website and maintain a web blog.
• Must be available to work extended or unusual hours a few times per year to manage events or participate in partner activities and trade shows.

Expectations:

• Actively adhere to and demonstrate CCSE’s values and promote communications and teamwork that result in a cohesive and collegial work force.
• Maintain professional growth and development that inspire and motivate others to excel.
• Prioritize and plan work, consistently meet deadlines and develop realistic action plans that support CCSE goals and objectives.
• Take initiative to identify problems and issues, analyze information and seek solutions through collaborative methods.
• Exhibit personal and professional integrity at all times, consistent with CCSE’s vision, mission and values.

Qualifications:

• Expert creative copywriting skills and the ability to create and edit compelling and convincing content for brochures, newsletters, print ads, presentations, web, PowerPoint presentations, video and audio scripts, and email communications that will drive the reader to action.
• Ability to draft, review, edit, obtain approvals, and produce internal and external communications documents including but not limited to press releases, talking points, newsletters, printed materials, electronic messages, slide presentations, etc.
• Expert grammar, editing, listening, research, and creative writing skills, along with an understanding of branding, consumer experience and a critical eye for design.
• A desire to be challenged daily and to work in a fast-paced and highly motivated team environment.
• Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction while achieving maximum results and delivering work that is considered innovative and well beyond the standard.
• Solid knowledge/understanding of branding concepts, combined with an ability to understand and contribute new ideas to marketing activities, programs, and events.
• Ability to interact constructively and work cooperatively with a wide range of colleagues including graphic designers, web developer, and program managers.
• Extensive local media contacts.
• Ability to identify marketing needs and create media opportunities in collaboration with program managers as they occur.
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences and make complex concepts understandable to various audiences. Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management and relationship management skills.
• Must be a skillful planner with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; monitor own work to ensure quality.
• Ability to coordinate, deliver multiple projects on deadline and plan media events from concept to completion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience managing marketing, public relations, and creative copywriting projects for publications, from concept to completion, and ability to meet deadlines without compromise.
• Ad agency/studio and/or consumer brand management experience.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Rudimentary knowledge of graphic design software including Illustrator (or Freehand) and Photoshop- or desire to learn.
• Working knowledge of HTML including formatting, tables, styles, images and links.
• Working knowledge of web site construction and design including FTP, file types, organization and layout using Dreamweaver or equivalent software beneficial.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism, Communications, English or related field.
• 2 or more years experience in marketing, advertising, journalism or public relations.
• Experience in investigating, reviewing, recommending, and following up on PR opportunities that will enhance client marketing campaigns.
• Experience working on creative ad campaigns and creating marketing and ad materials.

To Apply:

All applicants are required to complete an CCSE Employment Application (PDF). Resumes may be submitted to supplement information provided on the application, but do not serve as a substitute to the application.

Qualified individuals may obtain an employment application by:

Writing to CCSE, Attn: HR, 8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego, CA   92123
Calling CCSE
Emailing CCSE
Downloading the CCSE Employment Application

To apply, please specify the position you are interested in and send your resume and a completed employment application by mail to California Center for Sustainable Energy, Attn: HR, 8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123, by fax or by email.
Link [California Center for Sustainable Energy] + [Sustainable Business]

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