The Sierra Club, America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, is seeking to fill the position of Environmental Justice Program Director. The National Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program is dedicated to building bridges between Sierra Club and communities fighting for environmental justice and is premised upon the principles of community empowerment, support and collaboration.
Job Title: Environmental Justice Program Director
Department: Conservation - Washington, DC (preferred)
Reports To: National Field Director
Supervises: Administrative Coordinator
Context:
Plans, directs and manages all aspects - financial, strategic and staff - of National Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program campaigns. Develops and determines strategies and priorities.
Scope:
The Environmental Justice Program Director (a Senior Regional Representative * Manager) has overall program and staff management responsibility, and provides experienced leadership and strategic planning, for the Sierra Club's National Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program. Manages and monitors expenses, assigns priorities and timetables, plans and develops strategies, evaluates campaign/ program effectiveness. Travels extensively to lobby and to organize and train EJ organizers and volunteers, participates in Sierra Club Chapter and Group activities, manages and evaluates effectiveness. Represents the Sierra Club to government officials, the media and other organizations.
Program supervision responsibility includes: supervising employee performance, providing EJ organizing and empowerment skills training, developing/managing campaign activities, developing fundraising proposals, raising funds from major donors, and overseeing program budget. Acts as a senior advisor to staff colleagues and volunteers. Acts as a senior lobbyist with public policy decision makers. Works in close cooperation with national, ecoregion, and regional volunteers and staff. Participates in activities and services provided by the regional offices and EJ program offices.
Job Activities:
1. Serves as supervisor of employees assigned to them. These activities include: program implementation oversight and supervision; developing employee performance plans and conducting performance evaluations; making salary, hiring and termination recommendations; and insuring training and development.
2. Directs National Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program campaigns. Works with national and regional conservation volunteers and staff to develop campaign plans, oversees implementation of the plans, coordinates fundraising efforts, and oversees program budget/expenses.
3. Directs media outreach activities, including: developing media outreach plans; serving as a Sierra Club spokesperson to local, regional, and national media outlets; and promoting volunteer media exposure.
4. Plans and develops projects for grant funding, handles personal contacts, solicitation and on-going relationships with specific foundations involved with the projects.
5. In cooperation with the major gift fundraising staff, participates in major donor personal solicitation and cultivation, and foundation solicitation and relations.
6. Represents the Sierra Club in regional, ecoregion, and national coalitions and to the general public.
7. Supports and provides senior level professional expertise to local, regional, ecoregion, and national conservation volunteers and to fellow staff.
8. Provides conservation, grassroots organizing and empowerment skills training and motivation to volunteers at the local, regional, ecoregion, and national level.
9. Lobbies Members of Congress, Governors and other senior public officials on behalf of the Club on national, ecoregion, and regional conservation priorities. Develops relationships with elected public officials and their staff. Oversees development and implementation of lobby campaigns within their region and nationally.
10. Introduces creative ideas and approaches for consideration. May handle some assignments beyond his/her home region for the good of the national organization.
11. Facilitates numerous conference calls relating to the activities of the EJ grassroots organizers; the EJ program management of the EJ special projects discretionary fund, and planning of the annual EJ "in-gathering".
12. Visits sites of EJ organizers/projects.
13. Works with EJ staff to continue program discussions on dismantling racism and classism; supports the promotion of dismantling racism curriculum throughout the Club.
14. Coordinates with the National EJ Committee on matters of mutual/program interest.
15. Handles miscellaneous projects and duties as assigned.
Knowledge & Skills:
-- B.A. /B.S. degree in Environmental Studies, Political Science, or a closely related field.
-- 3-5 years' experience as a regional representative, in leading a staff or volunteer EJ activity, or in a comparable position in another organization which includes substantial experience planning and managing grassroots conservation campaigns, including strategy, grassroots organizing, lobbying, media, fundraising, program/employee management, budget planning and management and work with political leaders.
-- Substantial experience in the strategic planning and direction of campaigns and programs
-- Expert knowledge within the environmental field, which includes in-depth knowledge and background in specific issue areas of the environmental field.
-- Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.
-- 3-5 years prior experience in fundraising that includes foundation relations, individual solicitation of major gifts, and grant-funded project development and oversight. Demonstrated effectiveness as a major gift fundraiser.
-- Substantial experience, demonstrated skill and ability, in local and regional media relations. Includes effective television and radio presence, knowledge of media technologies including video, radio, and print production processes.
-- Expert lobbying ability.
-- Substantial experience providing empowerment support and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers.
Salary: Commensurate with skills and experience, plus benefits
Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.
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