Our Impact
The work of the National Consumers League is making a difference in people’s lives across the country. Meet some of the consumers touched by our programs.
Read about NCL’s impact
Preventing yet another victim
Paige, 55, a Nashville wife and mother of two, answered an employment ad for secret shoppers. Before sending payment to the scammers, she reached out to NCL.
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Building a stronger generation
A grease fire flared up in Decklan’s kitchen. As his family scrambled and panicked, fearing that the whole house might erupt in flames, Decklan remained calm. He hurried over to the pantry, grabbed some baking soda, and dumped it on the fire quickly extinguishing the blaze.
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Script Your Future saved my life
Cincinnati resident Charles, 45, lost his computer business — and health insurance— during a time of economic downturn. A diabetic, Charles was now unable to afford his medication. He stopped taking it which made him seriously ill and put his life at risk.
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For a safer workplace
Jeremy is a fast-food worker who has been employed at a number of Chipotle restaurants in New York City. When he was just 20 years old, he took part in an NCL research project that revealed that management practices within the fast food chain were putting workers—and food safety for customers—at risk.
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Join our team!
The National Consumers League, a progressive consumer advocacy organization, seeks staff members who have a strong commitment to public interest work. NCL is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards.
To apply for any of our available positions, please submit cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to ncljobs@nclnet.org.
NCL
1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20006
fax: 202-835-0747
No phone calls please.
Vice President of Communications
Overview
The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer and worker advocacy organization, seeks an experienced, ambitious, creative, and collaborative Vice President of Communications to direct a fast-paced, highly-productive communications department to meet the needs of the organization and its programs.
The VP of Communications reports to the Chief Executive Officer; works closely alongside senior department heads in policy, programming, and fundraising; and manages communications resources.
The VP of Communications sets and oversees the annual editorial calendar; collaborates with policy and program staff on short- and long-term projects, publications, and events; and is a strong partner to the organization’s fundraising team.
Enthusiasm, understanding of and support for NCL’s mission to promote the interests of consumers and workers is critical to success in this position, as is a sense of responsibility for helping to maintain the organization’s image as a credible, trusted, and valued American institution.
Responsibilities
Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership
- Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance NCL’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences.
- Create marketing/public relations strategy that will allow NCL’s leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
- Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
- Serve as communications counselor to NCL’s leadership.
Communications Operations
- Oversee development of all NCL print communications including the annual report, marketing collateral materials and electronic communications including NCL’s website and new media; manage relationships with associated vendors.
- Works alongside policy and program staff to translate complicated advocacy topics into consumer-friendly content. Able to draft and edit a variety of type of content for a variety of audiences: web content, blog posts, social media, op-eds, newsletter content, partner toolkit content, board reports, press releases, etc.
- Works with policy staff to co-manage public education campaigns on a variety of consumer education topics. Serve as point-of-contact for many external relationships, including with partners, public relations teams, and others.
- Serve as lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization.
- Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed.
- Actively engage, cultivate, and manage media coverage surrounding NCL programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects.
- Assists with planning, promotion, and execution of annual fundraising dinner and other occasional fundraising events. Contributes to fundraising activities, including proposal writing, strategic discussions, etc.
- Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning and staff development.
Team Development/Management
- Recruit and manage a communications team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy.
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
- Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis.
- Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English or related field
- 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications management
- Extensive successful writing and editing experience with a variety of print and online communications media
- Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communication, media relations, and marketing program to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
- Creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be utilized
- A minimum of five years experience in planning, writing, editing, and production of newsletters, press releases, annual reports, marketing literature, and other print publications
- Self reliant, good problem solver, results oriented
- Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs
- Excellent and persuasive communicator
Salary and Benefits
Salary based on experience and education, competitive with other nonprofit public interest organizations. Excellent benefits, including health, dental, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), employer transportation contributions, annual and sick leave, and federal holidays. NCL is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply
Please submit cover letter, résumé, and at least two writing samples to ncljobs@nclnet.org and reference “VP of Communications” in the subject line. If selected for hire, candidates must agree to undergo a background check and provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Internships
Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud Intern Full or Part Time
The National Consumers League seeks a motivated intern who wants to work with a nonprofit advocacy group. The League is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards. The intern will assist NCL staff with ongoing projects and research related to its public policy, telecommunications and anti-fraud campaigns. Such projects include researching and drafting content for NCL’s campaign websites, drafting fraud and telecommunications-related content for NCL’s LifeSmarts competition, assisting in organizing a national anti-fraud conference, and helping to coordinate meetings of the Alliance Against Fraud (AAF), a national coalition of non-profit, government, and private sector organizations dedicated to fighting Internet and telemarketing fraud.This internship will provide an opportunity to:
- Gain knowledge about a variety of public policies affecting consumers, particularly regarding consumer fraud;
- Become familiar with the agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders active in combating consumer fraud;
- Understand coordination and management of a national coalition; and
- Be involved in initiatives that advance the public interest and help keep millions of consumers safe from scams and con artists.
In addition, a National Consumers League public policy, telecommunications and fraud internship provides the following areas of experience:
- Because the League’s staff is small, interns are an integral part, and are given responsibilities outside of their research duties, including: keeping project files up-to-date and providing limited office support (occasional data input, mailing, and filing).
- The League requires from its staff and its interns a high level of oral and written communication skills. Interns are frequently called upon to write brief reports for NCL staff to provide background information on various issues.
Internships are unpaid. We ask that interns make a minimum time commitment of eight weeks, spending at least 20 hours per week working at the League. Of course, we welcome longer time commitments. Work hours per week are flexible for longer-term assignments. Our goal is to tailor your internship to suit your specific needs. The League is happy to consider the particular interests of applicants and will develop specific projects, complete paperwork, etc., as needed for class credit.
Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006, fax: 202-835-0747, email: ncljobs@nclnet.org.
Child Labor Policy Intern Full or Part Time
The National Consumers League (NCL) seeks a motivated intern who wants to work with the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), a 31-member group that serves as a national network for the exchange of information about child labor; provides a forum and a unified voice on protecting working minors and ending child labor exploitation; and develops informational and educational outreach to the public and private sectors to combat child labor abuses and promote progressive initiatives and legislation. The CLC has both a U.S. and international focus.
The intern will assist with ongoing CLC projects and research related to our work. The CLC’s domestic agenda includes several related initiatives to strengthening protections for working youth, with specific focus on children working as migrant and seasonal farmworkers, child trafficking for sex work and forced labor, and children in other worst forms of child labor.
This internship will provide an opportunity to:
- Gain knowledge about child labor issues, both international and domestic;
- Become familiar with various non-governmental groups and relevant government agencies, and their role in addressing child labor issues;
- Attend congressional hearings and briefings and work with congressional offices;
- Practice social media skills;
- Write for the public;
- Understand coordination and management of a national coalition; and
- Be involved in international campaigns on child labor and basic education for all children.
In order to succeed in this internship, interns should possess superior skills in the following areas:
- Communication skills. Interns must possess high level oral and written communication skills. Interns will be asked to write blogs and articles.
- Research skills. Interns are frequently called upon to write brief reports for NCL staff to provide background information on various issues. We are also in constant need of web site updates and basic statistical “facts about” lists.
A typical day might include attending a meeting with other NGO groups, writing a blog, conducting internet research, working to expand our social media outreach, and providing web site updates.
Internships are unpaid. We ask that interns make a minimum time commitment of eight weeks, spending at least 20 hours per week working at the League. Of course, we welcome longer time commitments. Work hours per week are flexible for longer-term assignments. Our goal is to tailor your internship to suit your specific needs. The League is happy to consider the particular interests of applicants and will develop specific projects, complete paperwork, etc., as needed for class credit.
NCL is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards.
Please submit your cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Child Labor Policy Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006 or via email: reidm@nclnet.org.
Communications Intern Full or Part Time
The National Consumers League seeks a motivated intern who wants to work with a nonprofit advocacy group. The League is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards.
The communications department of the NCL is looking for an intern with good communications and marketing skills. The intern’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Marketing NCL publications and promoting NCL’s consumer education materials. This will include calling former buyers, finding prospective buyers, and publicizing publications in the media.
- Press Releases Drafting press releases to help promote publications, and possibly, for other NCL events.
- Communications Materials Writing and gathering information for an NCL press packet.
- Press Files Maintaining clips and releases.
- Press Outreach Checking existing lists for accuracy by calling reporters.
- General Outreach Conducting outreach with members and answering general consumer questions.
Internships are unpaid. We ask that interns make a minimum time commitment of eight weeks, spending at least 20 hours per week working at the League. Of course, we welcome longer time commitments. Work hours per week are flexible for longer-term assignments. Our goal is to tailor your internship to suit your specific needs. The League is happy to consider the particular interests of applicants and will develop specific projects, complete paperwork, etc., as needed for class credit.
Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to Communications Intern, NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006, fax: 202-835-0747, email: ncljobs@nclnet.org.
LifeSmarts Summer Intern Part-Time or Full-Time – Remote
The National Consumers League seeks a motivated summer part-time or full- time intern(s) to support the LifeSmarts program. The intern(s) will assist LifeSmarts staff with ongoing projects and research in support of overall LifeSmarts program. This internship will provide an opportunity to:
- Develop LifeSmarts materials such as study aids to be posted at www.lifesmarts.org.
- Write questions, vocabulary and quizzes for the LifeSmarts online quiz and live competitions.
- Work on special projects such as LifeSmarts U, program outreach, recruitment, and assessment of the program.
- Prepare deliverables for the upcoming LifeSmarts program year.
Internships are unpaid, and interns will work virtually. We ask that interns make a time commitment of six weeks if at all possible, and prefer that interns commit to 20 hours per week. However, if this is not possible, please communicate with us so that we can agree on a plan that mutually benefits both parties.
Preference is given to LifeSmarts alumni. If you are interested, please email a cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to ncljobs@nclnet.org and include “LifeSmarts summer intern” in the subject line or contact Lisa Hertzberg (LisaH@nclnet.org) or Cheryl Varnadoe (Cherylv@nclnet.org) .
Full-time positions
Health Policy Associate
The National Consumers League (NCL) is a national nonprofit organization that has been protecting and promoting social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States since 1899. NCL seeks a motivated candidate for the position of Health Policy Associate to carry out its health policy program. Reporting to the Director of Health Policy, the ideal candidate with a strong background in research and writing for a variety of audiences. The associate will assist with the management of NCL’s health policy portfolio and engagement with policymakers on the state and federal levels. Candidates should have a strong commitment to serving the public interest.
Key Responsibilities
- Mailing list maintenance
- Email blasts to Hill committees and medical professionals and others
- Conduct public policy research, writing and editing for press statements, blogs, testimony, and congressional letters.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other consumer and public interest organizations and coalitions, health professionals, academic researchers, and industry.
- Assist with NCL’s Health Advisory Council meetings and newsletters, blogs, and statements.
- Lead the coordination of NCL’s Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge.
- Assist the Director of Health Policy in managing the work of interns.
- Provide logistical and administrative support for online and in person workshops, conferences, including scheduling meetings and conference calls, helping invited speakers and experts with travel and logistics, preparation and dissemination of materials, note taking at meetings, creating, updating, and maintaining organized files and records, and other related tasks.
- Create and format spreadsheets, tables, charts, presentations, and other graphics.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- At least 2-3 years of experience in working with executive level professionals, particularly at a think tank, or progressive public interest organization.
- At least 2-3 years of experience working on health care policy and issues, particularly on the Hill, at a federal agency, think tank, or progressive public interest organization.
- Superb research and written communication skills
- Excellent organization skills, strong attention to detail, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- A self-starter able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- A demonstrated commitment to improving public health and health equity.
- Should have general knowledge of WordPress, and ability to make updates to website.
- Able to go to Capitol Hill and take summary of health meetings.
- Experienced with Outlook and executive level calendar management.
- Comfortable with tweeting during a meeting, and familiar with social media platforms
Salary and Benefits
Salary based on experience and education competitive with other nonprofit public interest organizations. Excellent benefits, including health, dental, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), employer transportation contributions, flex time, annual and sick leave, and federal holidays. NCL is an equal opportunity employer.
To Apply
Please submit cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to ncljobs@nclnet.org and reference “Health Policy Associate” in the subject line. If selected for hire, candidates must agree to undergo a background check.