Communications Associate

The Communications Associate reports to Oceana's International Communications Director and supports Oceana's organizational public relations efforts with the goal of increasing brand awareness to drive media coverage, fundraising, and policy and corporate outcomes.

The Communications Associate helps tell Oceana's global story to key audiences, including the media, funders, supporters, and decision-makers. The Communications Associate contributes to the research, development, and execution of strategies that effectively position Oceana and its leaders as authorities in the ocean conservation and environmental spaces. This includes serving as a media contact for Oceana's corporate plastic campaigns targeting major polluters like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and helping secure coverage for Oceana's international brand, annual events, executive committee, board of directors, celebrity supporters, scientific reports, and other ocean topics. The Communications Associate secures opportunities to further Oceana's objectives through promotion of the organization's brand, CEO, Chief Scientist, and other leaders across platforms.


The Communications Associate works closely with Oceana's other Communications staff in Oceana's international offices to cross-promote stories and produce media reports for the Board of Directors. The Communications Associate supports the organization's media tracking and assists the Communications Intern in these efforts.


This position is based in Washington, D.C. Limited domestic or international travel may be required.


Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Help create and execute press and communications strategies to achieve Oceana objectives. This includes assisting in the development of communications plans on the issues of saving the ocean and feeding the world, plastic reduction, increasing transparency at sea, and other organizational initiatives.
• Support securing press coverage in strategic outlets and serve as a media contact for Oceana's corporate plastic campaigns and the Transparent Oceans Initiative.
• Create and maintain successful relationships with members of the media.
• Generate press coverage for Oceana's major fundraising events.
• Support Oceana's experts' and celebrity supporters' participation in events including preparing talking points, arranging interviews, and more.
• Support the production and placement of Oceana's print, radio, and TV public service announcements in key target areas such as New York and Southern California.
• Assist in accomplishing communications goals as needed or requested by Director and Vice President.

Writing & Editing

• Translate scientific information into public-friendly materials and develop communications for targeted audiences and stakeholders (e.g., news media, government officials, donors, and public). Other content production includes brochures, blogs, fact sheets, social media toolkits, presentations, website content, press materials, and more.
• Produce written communications (press releases, talking points, op-eds, memos) for press initiatives, interviews, and events.

Tracking & Reporting

• Work closely with the Communications Intern, including overseeing the production of a daily media report summarizing Oceana's global media hits; media research and list building; and other communications projects as assigned.
• Help produce biweekly and triannual media reports for Oceana's international Board of Directors.
• Maintain and report on monthly tracking of Oceana's international media coverage.
• Maintain press releases, Oceana in the News, media contacts, and other relevant webpages on Oceana's international website.
• Perform additional duties as needed and/or assigned.

Job Requirements

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• One to two years of professional experience as a Communications professional, journalist, press secretary, public relations consultant, or other position involving media/press relations.
• Internships or professional experience pitching and/or securing interviews and press coverage.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent writing and verbal communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in AP Style and excellent attention to detail. Ability to synthesize complicated scientific jargon quickly and accurately for lay audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively as a team player to coordinate projects, and work effectively with a variety of personalities.
• Proficient using Microsoft tools including Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Familiarity with media tracking software such as Meltwater, Cision, and Muck Rack is a plus.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure while maintaining humor and high energy.
• Ability to approach problems with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm, and innovation.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment, manage multiple assignments and coordinate across departments.
• Ability to take initiative in suggesting ways to augment work and responsibilities of position to accomplish Oceana's goals.
• Familiarity with environmental and food security issues is a plus but not required.
• Experience with international media a plus.
• Professional working proficiency in Spanish is a plus, but not required.

Required Competencies:

1. Action Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with high energy and enthusiasm.
2. Instills Trust: Is able to gain the confidence and trust of others by demonstrating honesty and authenticity, acting with integrity, being consistent and credible.
3. Values Differences: Takes a broad view of issues and challenges and can see them in a global context. Builds relationships with people from different cultures and countries. Draws on global knowledge and perspective when tackling complex issues or looking for opportunities.

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $55,000 annually.

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to be considered.

Oceana's U.S. offices are operating on a hybrid schedule. Staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With agreement between the employee and their supervisor, the employee may work from home on Monday and Friday.

Oceana values a diverse workforce and welcomes people different from each other in many ways, including characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. Oceana considers all qualified candidates and seeks to recruit from a diverse candidate pool.