Communications Associate

Overview

PowerLines 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.

Rising utility bills is quickly becoming a national economic and political issue. In the first half of 2025, utility rate increase requests totaled $29 billion, setting a record for any year and more than doubling the amount during the same period last year. Recognized on the 2025 “TIME100 Next” list, PowerLines is rapidly becoming a go-to source and leader in informing the national discussion of this issue and has already shaped the conversation in The New York Times, Bloomberg, CBS News, Financial Times, TIME, Vox, The Daily Mail, Heatmap News, MIT Technology Review, Latitude Media, Yahoo News, and Canary Media.

PowerLines is seeking a full-time Communications Associate to support core communications workstreams. 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 workstreams, 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 underaddressed and dynamic problem space. This person will have the opportunity to take PowerLines’ 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 PowerLines 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 PowerLines’ communications work moving forward.

PowerLines 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 PowerLines 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, TikTok, NextDoor) 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 PowerLines’ communications-related content development
• Manage PowerLines’ social media accounts and maintain regular posting schedule
• Lead development of social and digital media posts and toolkits for PowerLines 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 PowerLines website, newsletter, blog posts, and reports

Requirements

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 workstreams. As PowerLines 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 PowerLines’ mission is critical to success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-4 years of communications and/or public relations experience, preferably in an agency, nonprofit, think tank, or advocacy setting
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Fluency across social and digital media and other communications channels
• Experience writing and editing social media copy and developing editorial calendars
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail and an ability to multitask and prioritize high-volume, high-priority initiatives
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and an ability and eagerness to take a creative approach to problem solving
• Capacity to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic, and uncertain environments, including an ability to identify priorities and function independently
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field
• Nice to have: strong understanding of the energy, consumer, and/or political media landscape; experience creating multimedia content for a range of platforms
• A passion for PowerLines’ mission

Compensation and Benefits

• The expected salary range for this role is $60,000-$90,000. Compensation may be based on skills, qualifications, experience, location, and other factors.
• The benefits package includes unlimited PTO, paid holidays, health insurance, a 401k employer match, sick leave, and health and wellness benefits.

How To Apply:

• Please include your CV/resume, a cover letter, and an optional writing and/or multimedia sample. All materials submitted will be carefully read and considered.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.