Conservation Organizer

Job Title: Conservation Organizer Department: Montana Chapter Sierra Club Location: Missoula, Montana. This position requires an ability to regularly travel within Montana. Some remote work possible. Reports To: Montana Chapter Director Supervises: n/a Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy ecosystem 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 biodiversity and climate crises, 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. The Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club represents all Sierra Club members and local residents in Big Sky Country, with over 3,000 members and 10,000 supporters from across Montana. Our office is slated to reopen, post covid, in downtown Missoula on the lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. With only two permanent staff members at present, our chapter has both the close-knit feel of a small grassroots nonprofit and the powerful feel of being connected to and supported by Sierra Club staff, volunteers, and resources from across the nation. Our volunteer-driven campaigns are helping move Montana cities, utilities, and school districts toward 100% clean energy, advance regional efforts to protect endangered species and public lands and build a clean and equitable energy future in the Northwest. Scope: The Conservation Organizer is responsible for organizing campaigns which win real victories and build the grassroots power to accomplish Sierra Club priorities, which are: to address the biodiversity crisis, transform the energy economy, protect communities from pollution, ensure access to the outdoors for all and protect our lands, water and wildlife. The Conservation Organizer is critical to the Chapter’s efforts to successfully carry out its strategic plan, with a specific focus on the protection of public lands and wildlife. The Conservation Organizer works closely with aligned volunteers, partners, and staff across the state, while harnessing all of the strategic levers of Sierra Club including legal, communications, digital strategies and subject matter/campaign expertise. The Conservation Organizer works to develop a comprehensive volunteer development strategy to support volunteers from onboarding to leadership through training, coaching, and mentorship. The Conservation Organizer develops tactics and plans to achieve state based and local Sierra Club priorities and fosters a comprehensive media and grass-roots engagement plan. The Conservation Organizer works with the field and campaign teams to create educational materials, presentations and reports, research on priority issues as well as providing public comments, lobbying strategies, and develops subject matter expertise on relevant topics. The Conservation Organizer represents Sierra Club at community events, as well as interfacing with partner organizations, government officials, the media, business and community leaders, and the public. Job activities include but are not limited to:

• 1. Strategic Campaigns. Participates in the creation of a state strategy while leading specific campaigns, balancing state and local priorities. Works to incorporate key state and chapter stakeholders, including volunteers, to create and implement campaign goals outlined in the overarching strategic plan. Develops tactics and metrics, tracks policy and regulatory proceedings, identifies opportunities for engagement, mobilization, or intervention for one or more campaign outcomes. Ensures that campaigns are rooted in equity and justice and inclusive of frontline and directly impacted communities
• 2. Organizing Implementation: Develops and carries out individual campaign organizing plans,including organizing tactics, conducting or overseeing research, developing engagement strategies, facilitating organizing meetings, volunteer integration, and developing and leveraging partnerships. This includes evaluating progress and measures of effectiveness through data collection and key metrics. Weaves individual campaigns with other key state strategic campaigns and desired outcomes to ensure unified organizing in the state. Uses both VAN and Salesforce to enhance and drive digital communications efforts
• 3. Collaboration. Builds a healthy, mutually accountable relationship with National and Chapter staff and volunteers 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 Development and Management. Develop a comprehensive volunteer development strategy to support volunteers from onboarding to leadership through training, coaching, and mentorship. Coordinate with National and Chapter staff to support volunteer leadership development and organizing metrics using both VAN and Salesforce. Identify and develop new and existing volunteers as they assume new leadership roles and build Sierra Club’s grassroots power and extend outreach into communities. Supports and trains volunteers on organizing skills and developing issue expertise. 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.
• 5. Strategic Local Representation of Sierra Club. In coordination with National and Chapter staff and volunteers, develops strategic communication and grassroots engagement strategies and metrics. 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.
• 6. Build and Participate on 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
• 7. Build local capacity. Build local capacity to achieve conservation goals, with a focus on low income and other disadvantaged populations. This includes but is not limited to working on grant funded projects across the state (both tribal and non-tribal)
• 8. Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned
• 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

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies or a combination of related, transferable skills:

• Issue Expertise: Knowledge of conservation and environmental issues, including but not limited to public lands and wildlife management, and either expertise or an ability to develop expertise in mining, water quality and/or tribal indian law policy areas
• Organizing Experience: Experience as a field organizer and/or leading community organizing campaigns prior experience and/or demonstrated ability in developing, training, and coaching volunteers. Knowledge and experience with the craft of grassroots organizing and powerbuilding, including the use of digital communications tools
• Campaign Implementation: Experience planning or implementing a state or state level campaign, including developing strategy and tactics, organizing, lobbying, media relations, and working with mid to senior level political, organizational and business leaders
• Volunteer Development: Track record of recruiting and developing volunteer leaders along a progression of leadership. Skillful at building trusting, mutually accountable relationships with a diversity of volunteer leaders. Skillful at placing volunteers with roles that match their expertise and passions.
• 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
• Effective Communication: Highly developed verbal, written and digital communication skills, with a focus on communicating effectively across different groups of stakeholders, internally and externally. Reliable communicator that regularly follows up with volunteer leaders
• Data Practices: Experience using quantitative data (for example, numbers of people engaged) and qualitative data (for instance, stories about people taking action) to inform and evaluate organizing work
• Tech Competency: Working knowledge and experience with G-Suite, Zoom, Canva, Mobilize, Salesforce, VAN, etc. and the ability to learn new technology tools to support organizing and campaign goals. Proven ability to train and coach volunteers on tools
• Equity Analysis and Practice. You are aware of your group identities and how they have shaped your life and experiences at work. You have an analysis of how racism and other forms of oppression in society impact relationships, systems and culture. You bring experience and skills for working effectively with colleagues across group identities and position/role

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Political Expertise: Knowledge of the political, policy, and regulatory landscape in the state. Best candidates will have some relationships and/or an understanding of the major players in business, organizations, and government
• Project Management: Self-starter with project management and facilitation skills. Able to work well on teams to accomplish goals. Able to facilitate others to buy into projects and timelines
• Grant Writing/Grant Management: Ability to craft competitive grant documents and manage grant awards/sub-awards following an approved scope of work
• 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. 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, the Conservation Organizer 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
• Ability to travel across the state needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required

To Apply The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Applications will be accepted through September 16, 2024. Compensation and Benefits The salary for this full-time (37.5 hrs/wk) position is $67,000 – $70,000 annually. 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 a 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 4, non-exempt, represented 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 values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club Human Resources in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.