PIRG’s Consumer Watchdog team is hiring an Associate to make sure consumers are informed and empowered to protect themselves in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. Scammers are using technology – calls, texts, emails and AI – to swindle unsuspecting consumers, often the elderly. Victims of these scams have planned and saved their whole lives, only to have it taken away in a flash. The Consumer Watchdog Associate will join our long-standing and award-winning team to expose scams and protect consumers from unsafe products and unfair business practices. Associate will also support other Watchdog projects related to food safety, product safety and airline passenger protections.
This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Research and analysis: Research scam trends nationwide and communications technology, such as “ringless voicemails,” spoofed calls, imposter websites and hijacked call forwarding.
- Research and write persuasive campaign materials: Write articles and short updates on breaking news and trends dealing with consumer scams. Develop and write guides to offer tips to consumers on how to protect themselves and their assets. Develop social media posts to market our reports, articles and consumer guides.
- Organize consumers and constituents: Work with the Consumer Watchdog Director on ways to reach consumers and their circles of loved ones, both to educate them and destigmatize getting scammed. Develop relationships with professionals whose clients include vulnerable consumers, to work with them on education and outreach strategies.
- Build coalitions: Meet with regulators and other consumer-focused non-profit organizations to brainstorm, develop strategy, and advocate for solutions together.
- Watchdog government agencies: Monitor developments and proposed rules at the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that deal with scams and protecting personal and financial information.
- 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.
- Take part in organizational projects and trainings: 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.
Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply. Though we expect you to take your campaign and run with it, we provide training on advocacy and organizing skills, as well as oversight by an experienced advocate. Candidates must be able to travel regularly and be motivated to work when needed, which may sometimes be in the evenings and on weekends.
Ideal candidates will have:
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, social work, education, public policy, political science or similar field.
- Strong, conversational writing skills, and good interpersonal and public speaking abilities.
- A calling to help people and make a difference.
- A creative drive to come up with new solutions to consumer problems.
- A self-starter and results-oriented attitude.
- Bonus: Ability to design materials and graphics using Adobe, Canva or other software. Ability to create short videos for social media or blog posts.
Compensation and 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.
We are hiring candidates for summer 2027.
Our Mission and Values
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.
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.
