Climate Resilience Organizer

Job Title: Climate Resilience Organizer

Department: Chapter

Location: Remote in Western Colorado. This position requires an ability to travel.

Reports To: Political Director

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Climate Resilience Organizer is responsible for organizing campaigns which win real victories and build the grassroots power to accomplish Sierra Club priorities, particularly in the area of climate resilience. This includes, but is not limited to, work to support and identify funding streams for climate adaptation, building support for renewable energy projects, promoting conservation, and ensuring our transportation system is resilient. The Organizer works with local teams to recruit and train volunteers to fulfill goals and build leadership capabilities. The Organizer represents Sierra Club at community events and with partner organizations, to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, and the public. The Organizer plans and implements tactics to help achieve campaign strategies; the Organizer will do this by fostering volunteer leadership and participation on movement ready teams, builds and recruits for events and actions to accomplish policy priorities, and report on campaign results and effectiveness.

1. Strategic Campaigns. Participates in the creation of a state strategy, with particular focus on the western region of Colorado, while leading specific campaigns. Incorporates and builds relationships with key stakeholders, including volunteers, partners, and other staff to create and implement a campaign of the overarching strategic plan. With the support of the manager, ensures that campaigns are rooted in equity and justice and inclusive of frontline and directly impacted communities.

2. Organizing Implementation. Collaborates with volunteers to implement components of an overarching strategic plan for Sierra Club’s priorities in the region. Includes facilitating organizing meetings, volunteer onboarding and integration, and developing and leveraging partnerships. Tracks relevant regulatory proceedings and legislative or executive opportunities in the state and identifies opportunities and implements engagement, mobilization, or intervention. This includes evaluating progress towards goals through data collection and key metrics.

3. Collaboration. Builds a healthy, mutually accountable relationship with Chapter staff, volunteers, and coalition and grasstops partners to carry out Sierra Club priorities. Communicates clear expectations, capacity, and works in strategic alignment to accomplish Sierra Club’s priority goals. Prioritizes relationships with volunteer leaders and coordinates with other Sierra Club stakeholders as needed.

4. Volunteer Recruitment and Leadership Development. Identify and recruit potential volunteers and activists, match volunteers to their areas of interest, and increase volunteer and activist participation within the Chapter structure. Support issue-focused volunteer teams to accomplish their goals, coach volunteers on skills, coordinate activities, and to engage key stakeholders and coalitions, elected and appointed decision makers, and their influencers to assure advancement of Sierra Club’s priorities. In coordination with other staff, supports the volunteer leadership development including facilitating training and coaching leaders and supporting governance processes and functions. Maintain good data practices tracking volunteers teams, roles, and contact information as well as other core metrics.

5. Mobilization and Event Planning. Coordinates with coalition partners and outside interest groups to plan volunteer activities supporting Sierra Club’s priorities. Attends chapter-wide, local team, and committee meetings to coordinate events and mobilization tactics. Responds to inquiries concerning membership, outings, events, and environmental issues from the general public, members, and volunteers. Provides good public relations and volunteer support for Sierra Club.

6. Local Representation of Sierra Club. In coordination with staff and volunteers, represents Sierra Club priorities to public officials, partner organizations, and to the media. Maintains positive relationships with strategic partners, coalitions, members of the media, grassroots leaders, elected officials, and government officials when strategic and aligns with the strategic priorities in the state. As needed, serves as Sierra Club spokesperson to media outlets and promotes volunteer and partner organization media exposure.

7. Build and Participate in Teams: Build, maintain, and participate on teams to advance state level specific campaign work and Chapter organization building. Train and develop volunteer leaders who are skillful at facilitating effective, healthy teams. Actively participate and build the state field team. Supports a community of care with colleagues and collaborators and recognizes the need for self care in order to sustain ourselves and our work.

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.

• Organizing Experience: Experience as a field organizer and/or community organizing and/or demonstrated ability in onboard, training, and supporting volunteers. Experience designing and implementing tactics as part of a larger campaign strategy.

• Data Practices: A working understanding of quantitative data (for example, numbers of people engaged) and qualitative data (for instance, stories about people taking action) and a willingness to use data to inform and evaluate organizing work.

• Tech Tools: Experience using and training on a variety of in person and online/virtual tools, for example tools such as Zoom, G-Suite, peer to peer texting and Mobilize, and venues for volunteer outreach and engagement.

• Team Building: Demonstrated leadership experience working within a team structure. Ability to build vision, trust, and mutual accountability with team members. Experience working closely with volunteers.

• Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. You easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.

• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

• Knowledge of environmental and energy issues, and either expertise or an ability to develop expertise in state energy, climate justice, and/or conservation areas.

• Demonstrates the ability to create rapport and inspire trust. Open to feedback and the ability to learn new skills.

This job description encompasses all of the functions held by this position. A realistic annual work plan will be developed based on the strategic priorities and campaign goals of the state and/or region. The work plan will be approved by this position’s manager and adjusted as needed throughout the year. Depending on the needs of the state and/or region, the (Position Name) may be doing some of these functions more than others. The work plan is the tool a manager will use to ensure there is clarity around expectations and work responsibilities.