Assistant Editor

The Public Interest Network

The Public Interest Network is a network of environmental and public interest organizations and a platform for social entrepreneurs who are committed to a shared vision of a new future and a strategic approach to change. The network’s Creative Team is seeking an assistant editor. We’re looking for a smart, inspired, creative and detail-oriented leader to join our team.

Key Responsibilities

• Connect: Work with the teams at PIRG, Environment America and other environmental and public interest groups in our network, learn the issues and campaigns, and keep on top of the action and results. 
• Tell stories: Write (and rewrite, and rewrite again), edit and proofread stories that capture attention and motivate, excite, persuade and enlighten.
• Train and lead: Through your editing of email alerts and fundraisers, web articles, direct mail appeals, newsletters, annual reports and more, teach our staff to become better writers and storytellers.
• Get and stay organized: Come up with a plan that puts you and others in a position to deliver content that makes an impact. Help keep the team organized and focused. 
• Get training and direction: Practice and perfect your craft. Learn new skills. Keep getting better at what you do.

This position requires excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. 

Why you'll be great for it

• You’re driven to create positive change for the environment and the public interest . You’re looking for a calling, not just a job. 
• You’re a strong writer and editor, ideally with at least three to five years of relevant experience.
• You’re a clear thinker who can quickly get your head around an issue, sniff out a good story, give it structure, stay on-message, and plan your way from Point A to Point Z.
• You’re a close reader of news and political content. You know what our network is doing, and you understand the broader context. 
• You’re a student of communication. You understand how to tell the same story differently in an urgent email alert and a long think piece.
• You’re creative, dynamic and ambitious. You’re a firehose of new ideas. You can think your way around problems. 
• You’re organized. You have excellent judgment and the ability to oversee significant projects.

Bonus points

These skills aren’t required, but they sure come in handy.

• Design: Are you proficient in Canva? Adobe Creative Suite? 
• Data: Can you explain statistical significance and medians v. averages? Are you able to turn raw data into a chart that looks cool and communicates something meaningful? Are you a Google Sheets wizard? 
• Multimedia: Are you a good photographer, illustrator or videographer? 

Compensation and Benefits

We’re a nonprofit that gets the most bang for the buck for our donors. The target annual compensation range for candidates with 3-5 years of relevant experience is $37,000-$40,000. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. The Public Interest Network offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, paid time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement. 

Location Boston, MA

Why work with The Public Interest Network? Check out ten reasons on our website.

About The Public Interest Network

We tackle problems that arise from America’s endless pursuit of economic growth. This imperative to produce and consume “more” explains why our society continues to burn more fossil fuels, despite the damage to our climate and our health. It’s why our marketplace keeps mass-producing more single-use plastic, despite the price we pay in waste and pollution for a moment’s convenience. And it’s why even the most technologically advanced companies design and market their products for obsolescence, not repair and reuse. 

Together, the staff of The Public Interest Network’s organizations—including PIRG, Environment America, Frontier Group, Fund for the Public Interest, the Student PIRGs, Community Action Works, National Environmental Law Center, Green Century Funds and others—are relentlessly pragmatic in our approach to these problems. We prioritize making a difference in people’s lives over “making a statement.” We work with everybody to make change happen, political ideology aside. We set clear goals, benchmarks and systems to measure our progress. We hold ourselves accountable to making change now and building for the future.

This unique approach gives our staff an opportunity to make a concrete difference for the environment and the public interest -- just as hundreds of dedicated staff have done over our 50-plus year history. If you want to add to this change-making legacy; if you have the passion and the drive that it takes; if you're looking for a mission, not just a job -- then let’s talk.

Our Mission and Values

The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit our website to learn what you should know about the network before you apply.

Fund for the Public Interest is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boosted. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.