Communications and Science Writing Lead: Cascade Institute Geothermal Energy Office

Application Deadline: Friday June 26, 2026. Application page.

Compensation: $90,000 (grant-funded)
Term: Two years, with the potential for renewal subject to performance and funding availability.
Location: In-person (Victoria, BC), hybrid, or fully remote
Eligibility: Applicants must be legally allowed to work in Canada
The opportunity:

 

Canada is sitting atop one of the largest, cleanest, most underused energy resources on the planet — heat drawn from deep, hot rock. The Cascade Institute's Geothermal Energy Office is working to put that resource on Canada's energy map: helping write the regulations, build the case, and shape the strategy for a sector that could anchor Canada's clean-energy future for generations.
We're hiring a someone who can explain this geothermal opportunity in clear, creative, and persuasive ways to help shape public perceptions and policy.
The Strategic Communications and Science Writing Lead is the editorial spine of CI-GEO. You’ll turn the team’s research and policy analysis into clear, compelling briefings, op-eds, reports, and campaigns that reach the decision-makers shaping Canada’s geothermal future.
What you'll do:
  • Conceive, draft, edit, and publish CI-GEO's policy and communications outputs — briefings, op-eds, reports, social posts, newsletters, speeches, website updates.
  • Translate technical subject matter into accessible language for decision-makers and general audiences.
  • Lead production, branding, and design across all CI-GEO deliverables.
  • Support knowledge mobilization with the Director and Cascade's wider Communications and Impact team — presentations, webinars, podcasts, video.
  • Manage project timelines and triage tasks alongside the Research Director and CI-GEO Director.
Required:
  • Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in energy, environment, or communications.
  • Five or more years in policy analysis, writing, editing, publishing, or knowledge mobilization.
  • Exceptional written and oral communication, including the ability to translate complex research for senior decision-makers and general audiences.
  • Strong project management and editorial judgement; the capacity to handle complex work and meet strategic deadlines.
  • A track record of producing polished, visually engaging written work.
  • Proficiency with MS Office, cloud-based collaboration tools, LinkedIn, Bluesky/X, and publishing software.
  • Attention to detail; a positive attitude; the ability to work independently and inside a team.
  • Familiarity with Canadian energy or climate policy — federal and provincial instruments, regulatory frameworks, energy-transition debates.
  • Experience writing for senior decision-makers — deputy ministers, C-suite leaders, cabinet — and translating technical analysis into briefing language.
  • Experience supporting the launch of a major research product (a report, policy document, event) with a defined public audience.

This role is funded in part by the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative, to which the Cascade Institute brings system theory analysis and complex problem-solving experience, unlocking high-leverage interventions including ultradeep geothermal to accelerate community energy transformation.

To avoid potential exposure to job seeker phishing schemes, please only apply to this role through Royal Roads University's hiring platform (using the linked button below). The Cascade Institute has been the previous target of a job seeker phishing scheme, in which a malicious entity emulated the Cascade Institute. Responses for the legitimate posting will only be sent from cascadeinstitute.org and/or royalroads.ca email addresses (please check email addresses thoroughly, as phishers are known to create similar-looking email domains as part of their schemes). Â