Defend Our Future-- Campus Climate Organizer-- Philadelphia, PA

[Beth Yenis]

Defend Our Future is organizing people to take substantive actions to prevent climate change from being the biggest disaster affecting our generation.  And we believe young people can make the biggest difference in the fight against climate change.  That’s why Defend Our Future, a project of the Environmental Defense Fund, is seeking candidates for the Campus Organizer position to engage and move college students to act to curb climate change.

 

The Campus Organizer will play a lead role in a cutting-edge political experiment for Spring, 2016. The mission is to engage students on college campuses and challenge them to take meaningful action on climate change. The Organizer will identify and engage students and faculty to develop them into campus leaders and teams who can expand the presence of the organization, engaging the student body through multiple events and social media outreach as well as challenge them to commit to take action.  The Organizer is also responsible for managing one to two part time Deputy Organizers who also work on campus.

 

At Defend Our Future, we believe in a “big tent” approach to addressing climate change.  As a non-partisan, non-profit organization, we engage a wide and diverse range of supporters, regardless of political or ideological affiliation.  We can’t wait for our political leaders so we’re looking for students who are ready to accept the challenge to implement real solutions that will protect our planet.

 

The campus organizer position will be based in Philadelphia, PA. Organizer will be required to travel between multiple campuses.  The position is long-term, beginning in March 2016, running through November 2016 with the likelihood of extension into early 2017.

 

 

Job Responsibilities

·         Recruit and build volunteer networks with one-on-one meetings, conversations with campus groups and presentations to classes;

·         Develop and manage volunteer leaders and volunteer teams;

·         Manage one or two part time Deputy Organizers;

·         Plan and execute campus events promoting action on climate;

·         Identify and collect personal stories of students that convey the message of Defend Our Future and action on climate change;

·         Work with partner organizations in collaboration on group events;

·         Engage students to challenge them to commit to take action on climate;

·         Responsible for entering all data on a daily basis and submitting nightly and weekly progress reports; and

·         Workplace professionalism, respect and integrity are required.

 

 

Reporting

The Organizer will report to the Project Manager.

 

Qualifications

·         Undergraduate degree required;

·         Minimum of 1 year of organizing experience is required;

·         Demonstrable experience executing organizing or other engagement plans;

·         Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills;

·         Prior experience working with and organizing volunteers is strongly preferred;

·         Experience building and managing small teams or volunteers is strongly preferred;

·         Ability to communicate responsibilities and priorities effectively;

·         Strong leadership skills;

·         Outgoing personality and enthusiasm in working with volunteers;

·         Moderate familiarity using NGPVAN is preferred;

·         Intermediate level experience using Microsoft Office software;

·         Must have valid driver’s license and daily access to a car;

·         Must have access to a working lap top computer that is WiFi enabled;

·         Familiarity with social networking tools;

·         Ability to work on your own and in a team-oriented environment;

·         Willingness to work irregular weekday, evening and weekend hours; and

·         Familiarity with climate change issues is preferred.

 

Compensation

The Organizer will receive a salary of $3,750 per month plus health benefits.

 

To Apply

Please submit resume and cover letter plus two references of prior employment via email to jo...@defendourfuture.org. Please include “Campus Climate Organizer- PA” in the subject line of your email.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We strongly encourage women and minorities to apply.