The Ed Mierzwinski Fellowship

About The Public Interest Network

PIRG is hiring aspiring advocates to advance consumer protections grounded in fairness, transparency, and accountability—and carry forward the legacy of lifelong influential consumer advocate Ed Mierzwinski. As U.S. PIRG’s longtime Federal Consumer Program Senior Director, Ed led successful efforts to curb abusive financial practices and worked tirelessly to make the marketplace safer and fairer for everyone.

Collect and analyze data and write reports and other materials to illuminate consumer problems, advance solutions for consumers, and provide resources and tip-guides for consumers navigating an ever-changing marketplace.

Beyond your own campaign, you may be called on to help other teams on priority campaigns and tactics, ranging from clean energy to clean water to right to repair. You may travel and participate in regional and national trainings and other in-person or virtual projects as needed. This is not a standard “9-5” or “clock in, clock out” position.

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PIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a new future and a strategic approach to change. Visit https://pirg.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Responsibilities

• Ed Mierzwinski Consumer Fellows will work alongside experienced consumer advocates at PIRG on a national campaign or work with one of our state organizations on state campaigns. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals.

Organize support, hold events, and work with volunteers

• Build broad public support for your campaign and recruit organizations and members of the public to be involved. Organize webinars, community events and public meetings to educate, persuade, and motivate.
• Organize media events and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Coordinate strategy with champions in Congress or in State Houses. Make a convincing case to legislators who are undecided on a particular vote. When a critical vote is happening on your campaign, work to demonstrate the support you’ve been building on the ground to help line up the votes needed to win.
• Help build your team by recruiting volunteers, interns and full-time staff.
• Run a grassroots campaign office each summer: Run a campaign office for the summer, knocking on doors to raise money to support our campaigns, build our organization and membership, and help build critical and timely grassroots support to win key campaigns. Your responsibilities will include meeting your own fundraising goals and managing a team of paid staff. You may be assigned to a different office location for the summer and should be flexible to move.

Requirements

• Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply. Though we expect you to take on real responsibility and run with it, we provide training on advocacy and organizing skills, as well as oversight by an experienced advocate. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience, top-notch writing and public speaking skills, an eagerness to learn, and be ready for a challenge. We value organizing experience, including building campus or community groups. Candidates must be able to travel regularly and be motivated to work when needed, which may sometimes be in the evenings and on weekends.

Pay

$40,000 / year

Benefits

• The target annual compensation for this entry-level position is $40,000. PIRG offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, 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

• This position could be based in Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; or Boston, MA.
• Why work with PIRG?

• Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.
• PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.