Organizing Representative (SC)

Sierra Club; Minnesota; On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Club Minnesota seeks an Organizing Representative to build grassroots power on air quality, energy, water, transportation, and environmental justice issues. The role recruits and develops volunteers, forges alliances, and coordinates campaigns with staff and partners across the chapter.

You will work with diverse communities, plan engagement strategies, and advocate for EJ and racial justice through events, trainings, and public outreach.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in grassroots organizing, training, and motivating volunteers.
• Experience in coalition building and lobbying.
• Knowledge of environmental justice communities and social justice work.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate identification, recruitment, and organizing of volunteers across Sierra Club and partner groups.
• Develop partnerships and engagement strategies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Engage volunteers and leaders to build grassroots power at community, state, and national levels.
• Represent Sierra Club to the public and media, contributing to education and outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with EJ, Labor, Clean Energy, Communications, Organizing, Digital teams to align campaigns.

Skills

Grassroots organizing

Volunteer training

Coalition building

Community engagement

Job description

Context: Works with community members, volunteers, and staff to build grassroots power, by leading the implementation of organizing campaigns that will build deep relationships, increase the number of people involved, and support leadership development to achieve Sierra Club’s conservation, environmental and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and leads to movement building. Ensures that community partners see Sierra Club as a respectful and reciprocal partner for justice and a vibrant element of the movement for a more equitable and sustainable world. Carries out organizing strategies and activities for assigned campaign or programs

Works with Associate Director of Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships program to plan, organize and coordinate the Healthy Communities program in Minnesota.

Scope: The Organizing Representative is responsible for recruiting, engaging, and motivating people which will further Sierra Club’s Healthy Communities program. This person must have a working understanding of environmental justice and the ability to coordinate issues of EJ and social justice. Prioritizes working alongside underserved or historically underrepresented groups. Identifies and develops volunteers to become volunteer leaders and build grassroots power and networks. Identifies and builds alliances with other organizations which can influence decision‑makers.

The Organizing Representative coordinates a broad, volunteer‑based community education effort on air quality, energy, water, transportation, and environmental justice issues throughout Minnesota. Collaborates in the development of organizing campaign or program strategy and implementation, including developing strong grassroots networks and strengthening existing networks. Works closely with Environmental Justice and Community Partnership (EJCP) program, the Labor Program, Clean Energy for All staff, Communications, Organizing, Digital as well as chapter staff, volunteers and EJ allies to assure organizing plans carry out campaign priorities.

Job Activities:

• Works with Chapter and national staff to provide support in Minnesota in campaigns and programs. Collaborates in developing organizing campaigns or program strategies that are centered on environmental and racial justice.
• Coordinates the identification, recruitment, and organizing of volunteers both in Sierra Club and other groups around priority campaign(s). Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate.
• Engages people and develops volunteer leadership in both social and environmental advocacy activities that will create strong environmental communities and build power at the community, state, and national levels. While doing so entering and exiting communities with intention and integrity consistent with the Jemez and EJ Principles.
• Develops and implements a variety of engagement strategies including on-line and face‑to‑face social networks to support Sierra Club programs.
• Brings EJ, economic justice and social justice stakeholders together and connects them to the broader campaigns and program work.
• Represents Sierra Club to the public and in the media, including developing public education and media strategy.
• Develops positive working relationships with existing coalitions on campaign issues; works to build and sustain issue coalitions.
• Develops working relationships with relevant state government and agency staff.
• Supports EJ and frontline communities and volunteers who will build grassroots power and networks. Helps those leaders succeed by supporting training and coaching.
• Provides information, research, and other assistance to Sierra Club leaders, the public and others about the campaigns and priority issues. Provides support to other internal departments for campaign synergy.
• Works with communications and Digital Departments in the implementation of media and public outreach communications.
• Supports coalition building and cultivates relationships with public officials.
• Coordinates preparation of special reports and other publications and alerts. Attends various issue committee and state conservation meetings, when necessary.
• Coordinates and measures the success of activities with manager and campaign or program leads to ensure progress towards the campaign or program's mission and goals.

Seasonal Activities:

Heavier seasonal workloads may occur as a result of project deadlines, staff absences and vacancies, and during peak activity periods. Frequent weekend and/or evening work required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• At least 3 years of experience in grassroots organizing, training, and motivating volunteers, coalition building and lobbying.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Prior experience and ability in writing training and information materials.
• Prior experience and knowledge of either the legislative or administrative processes.
• Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with EJ communities, grassroots leaders and volunteers.
• Requires some travel and occasional nights and weekends
• Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required. A background check will be required upon job acceptance.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union.

The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category 4exempt position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Sierra Club does not sponsor H1B visas.

The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.