Job Description

Prairie Rivers Network seeks a  Clean Water Advocate to address the water crisis in Illinois.

About Prairie Rivers Network

At Prairie Rivers Network we protect water, heal land, and inspire change. Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, we protect and restore our rivers, return healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transform how we care for the earth and for each other. Our programs confront many of the root causes of environmental degradation in Illinois while addressing the sources and impacts of climate change and advancing just and equitable solutions.

The Opportunity

We’re hiring a Clean Water Advocate–and we welcome applicants with a variety of experiences and backgrounds. Whether your path has been in science, organizing, communications, or something completely different, if you care about clean water and community well-being, we want to hear from you.

A wide range of pollutants contaminate our drinking water, harm ecosystems, and exacerbate the climate emergency. Solutions have to go beyond policy papers and scientific data; we need cultural changes.

The Clean Water Advocate will inform, engage, and activate community members from Cairo, IL to Chicago, IL to ensure communities are looking upstream to address water quality concerns, water quantity in light of climate change, and access and equity issues impacting their lives. This is a unique opportunity to help build a large-scale, comprehensive clean water awareness campaign that will touch the lives of Illinois residents in new ways. 

The Clean Water Advocate will join one of the most-effective and respected environmental advocacy organizations in Illinois and support various program priorities of PRN. You will be part of a team that is cleaning up abandoned coal mines, educating communities on the impacts of industrial agriculture and land use, and ensuring communities know where their water comes from and protect it from major pollutants. PRN hopes to change the way Illinoisans view and manage this critical resource before it’s too late. And that’s where YOU come in!

This is a full-time position that will ideally be located in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Candidates residing outside the Champaign-Urbana area may have a remote work-from-home schedule with the expectation of monthly trips to the Champaign office.

What You Will Do at PRN

Mobilize for Clean Water and Climate Solutions in Illinois

• Educate the public, community leaders, and decision-makers about pollution’s impacts on our drinking water, ecosystems, and health.
• Convene and co-facilitate regular meetings with partner organizations, agency staff, and community leaders on water issues–quality, quantity, climate, flooding, wetlands,recreation, water rates and equity, and access to clean, affordable drinking water. 
• Engage in other regular regional and national coordination and planning spaces on the topic of clean water, environmental justice, and equity.
• Build power for communities impacted by water pollution through direct engagement with community members, local officials, public health officials, municipal water systems and other stakeholders.
• Support and organize community members who are actively calling for advancement of nature-based solutions, infrastructure, and action to address water quality issues.
• Plan and host Community Listening Sessions to gain input from rural and urban community members about the concerns facing drinking water supplies, access to clean water, and affordability.
• Engage in other outreach activities, including but not limited to public presentations, tabling opportunities, and local events.
• Inform state and federal policy solutions to advance transparency, planning, and climate resiliency as it relates to water.
• Support communities in their efforts to enhance their water quality and advance nature based solutions through state and federal funding opportunities.

Share Successes and Engage Partners, Volunteers/Interns, and the Public

• Support a creative and effective communications strategy to advance program work through storytelling. Leverage Prairie Rivers Network’s website, social media channels, podcasts, press releases, LTEs, newsletter articles, and public speaking engagements to better connect clean water, wetlands and habitat concerns to climate change. 
• Represent Prairie Rivers Network at meetings, events, panels, and forums to build support for program goals and Prairie Rivers Network’s mission.
• Work with members, volunteers, interns, and partners to advance program goals and the mission of Prairie Rivers Network.

Fundraising and Organizational Advancement

• In partnership with the Executive Director and PRN Program team, assist with grant research, writing, and reporting as needed.
• Together with the Executive Director and PRN Program team, assist with member and major donor relations through participation in fundraising and outreach events and communications.
• As needed, work with PRN Program team members to assist in developing Prairie Rivers Network’s program work and goals to advance our mission.

What You Will Bring to PRN

• Experience building and leading community organizing issue campaigns including building long-lasting relationships with diverse stakeholders and partnerships critical to the success of the campaign.
• Understanding and interest in water quality issues and climate change impacts facing communities in Illinois.
• A passion and excitement to the mission of creating social change and fighting environmental injustice to improve lives, communities, and landscapes in Illinois.
• Strong written and public speaking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate research and technical issues to lay audiences.

Requirements

• Experience implementing social media campaigns, and/or knowledge of working with media.
• Experience and/or knowledge of the legislative and administrative policy making process.
• Have a genuine interest in and understanding of the goals, priorities, and programs of the organization.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaboration as organizational practice and culture.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and/or weekends.
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently to set and achieve goals.

We’re especially interested in people with skills in:

• Community organizing or public engagement
• Policy research and advocacy
• Storytelling, video, writing, or design
• Social media or digital communications
• Public speaking or media outreach
• Environmental science, economics, or public health
• Fundraising, grant writing, or nonprofit development

You don’t need to check every box. If you bring relevant skills and a passion for this work, we encourage you to apply.

What We Offer

Salary

The Clean Water Advocate is a full-time professional position with a starting salary of $60,000. It is understood that this position is funded through August 2026 and continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Benefits

We believe staff is more effective in a work culture that values a work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. Benefits include:

• 15-20 vacation days
• 12 general paid time off days
• 11 paid holidays plus winter break from Dec 24 through Jan 1
• 403(b) retirement pan with 5% employer match
• Up to 12 weeks parental leave (4 weeks paid; 8 weeks unpaid)
• 100% employer paid health insurance for the individual employee
• Employee assistance program

Telework

A remote telework schedule is expected for candidates outside the Champaign-Urbana area. Candidates in C-U may have a hybrid telework schedule. 

To Apply

We want to get to know you. We value great writers with creativity and inspiration. Tell us why you really want to join our team.

Interested candidates should email  jobs@prairierivers.org with their:

• cover letter
• resume
• writing sample (grant application, press release, or whatever makes you shine)
• subject line of your email should be “Clean Water Advocate Application” 
• attach your cover letter, resume, and writing sample with the file name consisting of “Last name, First name Resume/Cover Letter/Sample.”

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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