End food Waste Campaign Associate

Environment America; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Parental leave

Commuter benefit

Training program

Job summary

Environment Oregon is seeking an entry-level End Food Waste Campaign Associate to help reduce waste in Oregon, based in Portland. You will educate the public, mobilize supporters, organize events, and recruit volunteers while building coalitions with diverse groups and engaging local media.

Ideal candidates are eager to learn, have strong writing and speaking abilities, and can travel and work occasional evenings/weekends. Training and opportunities for advancement are offered.

Qualifications

• Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to travel regularly and work evenings/weekends.
• Must be able to relocate to Oregon if needed.
• Training and oversight provided by experienced advocates.

Responsibilities

• Educate and mobilize public support.
• Build coalitions across organizations and constituencies.
• Earn traditional and social media attention for the campaign.
• Organize webinars, community events and volunteer activities.
• Lobby elected officials at city and state levels.
• Research and write reports to inform policy proposals.

Skills

Campaign organizing

Public speaking

Writing skills

Volunteer recruitment

Job description

Environment Oregon is seeking an entry-level campaign associate to help end food waste in Oregon.

We waste too much food. 1.6 billion pounds of food goes uneaten in Oregon each year. That would fill enough garbage trucks to line up along I-5 from the northern to the southern borders of Oregon more than twice. Given the amount of time, energy, and resources involved in growing, processing, and transporting food, the last thing we should do is throw it away, especially if it is still good to eat.

We should create a sustainable loop where edible food is eaten and scraps are composted or repurposed -- and we have solutions at our fingertips -- we just need to act.

Key Responsibilities

As the End Food Waste Campaign Associate you will build support for efforts to reduce food waste and make better use of these valuable resources. This position requires excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Educate and mobilize public support: Conduct online and in-person outreach to educate the public on our issues and ways to get involved.
• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Organize events and work with volunteers: Organize webinars, community events and public meetings. Recruit organizations and members of the public to attend and participate.
• Lobby elected officials: Meet with decision makers - from city council members to state legislators - to make the case for and demonstrate support for our campaign goals.
• Research and write reports: Catalog and analyze data relevant to the issue and our policy proposals to help influence public debate and earn media attention for our cause.
• Recruit new people to your team: 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

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. Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to Oregon.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Passion for the environment and using the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns
• Top-notch writing and public speaking skills
• An eagerness to learn
• Organizing experience, including building campus or community groups

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual compensation for this entry level position is $40,000 in the first year. Environment Oregon 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: Portland, OR

Why work with Environment Oregon and Environment America?

Check out 10 reasons: https://EnvironmentOregon.org/why-work-with-us/

About Environment Oregon

Environment Oregon is part of Environment America. We have one mission: to protect the natural world.

We advocate ideas and actions to guide our country onto a greener, healthier path. Our network of 30 state environmental groups promotes clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. Our members put grassroots support behind our research, public education, advocacy and litigation.

Nothing is more important to our future than facing this fact: Infinite economic growth on a finite planet is neither wise nor possible. We must shift from deplete to preserve, from disposable to sustainable, from "never enough" to "enough." Together, our staff, members and other supporters are committed to winning changes that allow nature to thrive and our children to live healthier, more enriching lives.

Our Mission and Values

Environment Oregon and Environment America are 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://EnvironmentOregon.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.

Environment Oregon is an equal opportunity employer.