Communications Coordinator and Organizer positions at Dakota Resource Council - Bismarck, North Dakota
Tim Glaza
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Field Organizers, Communications Coordinator
Growing, nationally recognized grassroots group is hiring
two (2) field organizers and a communications coordinator to work with people dealing with the chaotic Bakken oil development, clean energy, agriculture,
and other rural and urban issues.
Dakota Resource Council (DRC), North Dakota’s only home-grown, statewide, multi-issue grassroots organization, is hiring two full‑time field organizers for campaigns on oil and gas, clean energy and family-owned agriculture, and a full time communication coordinator for those issues.
Field organizer responsibilities include working with members to address their priority issues, maximizing the power and participation of members, empowering people to speak for themselves, and fundraising. Organizers use sound and successful organizing efforts to work with DRC members on issues that impact people’s lives and livelihoods.
The oil and gas work is on the front-lines of the Bakken Oil Boom where obvious destructive impacts from the chaotic oil boom and bust provide the opportunity to work for sensible, sustainable solutions. The organizer works with farmers, ranchers, and every-day North Dakota residents to protect the land, air, water, and people.
Clean energy work is being built on the state’s tremendous renewable resources and wide open opportunities for increasing energy efficiency. Agriculture and food campaigns support family-ownership and sustainability. Campaigns on clean energy, family-owned agriculture and other issues are spread across the state in both urban and rural locations and involve a diversity of people and groups.
All three positions are based in Bismarck. The DRC office is a block from the historic and scenic Missouri River in a growing region with lots of recreation activities. Salary is based on experience, with generous benefits. DRC has been in the national spotlight, including appearances on John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, the Rachel Maddow Show, NPR and The New York Times for its work fighting for sustainable energy development. DRC was founded in 1978 and is an original member of the Western Organization of Resource Councils (http://worc.org).
JOB DESCRIPTIONS: See below.
TO APPLY: Email a cover letter, a resume, writing sample, and 3 references to d...@drcinfo.com, or mail it to Don Morrison, Dakota Resource Council, 1200 Missouri Avenue, Suite 201, Bismarck ND 58504. Deadline: February 5, or until positions are filled.
DAKOTA RESOURCE COUNCIL
JOB DESCRIPTION: FIELD ORGANIZER
Dakota Resource Council, North Dakota’s only home-grown, statewide, multi-issue grassroots organization, is looking for two full-time field organizers: Responsibilities include working with DRC members to address their priority issues with sound and successful organizing efforts, empowering people to speak for themselves. Issues relate to impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods. Responsibilities of one open position focus on impacts of chaotic oil and gas development in the Bakken oil fields and the other open position on clean energy and energy efficiency. DRC also works on family-operated agriculture and issues identified by DRC affiliates in urban or rural areas. DRC organized in 1978 and is a founding member of the Western Organization of Resource Councils.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Field Organizer is responsible for:
1. Empowering individuals to speak for themselves by identifying and developing a diverse group of members who agree to serve as the organization’s public voice on a variety of issues.
2. Formulating sound organizing strategies by analyzing the social and economic forces, power relationships and political agendas that shape the local communities where they live and in North Dakota as a whole.
3. Identifying, recruiting and developing leaders and conducting one-on-ones on a regular basis.
4. Working with people to define problems and issues, and helping them think through the strategies and tactics necessary to act with confidence and win.
5. Recruiting members to strengthen and expand the membership base and making fundraising an integral part of their everyday organizing work.
6. Enabling members to make good decisions by sharing information and raising questions, options and alternatives.
7. Enabling members and leaders to hold good, productive meetings.
8. Ensuring that members receive a consistently high standard of appropriate and effective training, development and support.
9. Striving to reflect on and improve skills on an ongoing basis, and developing an annual self-development plan.
10. Performing the administrative tasks necessary to accomplish his or her job.
The field organizer’s specific work assignments will be determined based on the organization’s priorities and available resources, and may include time spent:
· Organizing or coordinating a regional or statewide issue campaign and task force,
· Working with one or more of DRC’s existing local affiliate groups,
· Conducting a new affiliate organizing assessment and/or drive,
· Spearheading a particular project or programmatic area,
· Coordinating a specific fundraising activity or program,
· Organizing events, leadership training or workshops,
· Producing or assisting with communications through traditional or social media,
· Researching policy and writing formal comments, or
· Other activities and assignments as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Commitment to the mission and goals of the organization, and the community organizing approach to social change.
· Leadership and organizational development capabilities.
· Fundraising ability.
· Familiarity with the public policy process and ability to do some policy research.
· Experience in issue campaigns, political campaigns and/or community organizing activities.
· Comfortable with farmers, ranchers, rural people, and others from a diversity of backgrounds.
· Knowledgeable about one or more of these issues: oil and gas; farming, ranching, agriculture issues, clean energy. Community or economic development is a plus.
· Excellent communication and people skills; ability to write well is a must; web and social media expertise is a plus.
· High level of maturity.
· Capacity to work independently as a salaried employee on a flexible schedule that includes some evenings and weekends.
· Willing to travel both in- and out-of-state as necessary, using a DRC vehicle when possible, but able to use his or her own vehicle (with mileage compensation) when necessary.
COMPENSATION
Salary based on experience. Generous benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
Send a cover letter, a resume, writing sample, and 3 references to Don Morrison, Dakota Resource Council, 1200 Missouri Avenue, Suite 201, Bismarck ND 58504 or email to d...@drcinfo.com. Application Deadline: February 5, 2016 or until positions are filled.
DRC is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
DAKOTA RESOURCE COUNCIL
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Full Time Communications Coordinator
Dakota Resource Council, North Dakota’s only home-grown, statewide, multi-issue grassroots organization, is looking for a full time Communications Coordinator. DRC works with members to address issues with sound and successful community organizing efforts, empowering people to speak for themselves on issues related to their lives and livelihoods. Communications are a key part of DRC’s work. Current issue areas include chaotic oil and gas development in the Bakken oil fields, clean energy, family-operated agriculture, and reconnecting constituencies to promote links between farms and culture. DRC has local affiliates in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Fort Berthold, Stark County, and McKenzie County. DRC organized in 1978 and is a founding member of the Western Organization of Resource Councils. The position is based in Bismarck.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Communications Coordinator is responsible for:
1. Managing DRC communications.
2. Developing and maintaining media relations, maintaining media list.
3. Drafting and sending news releases, handling media requests and connecting media with DRC member spokespeople, coordinating news conferences.
4. Developing DRC spokespeople with assistance of organizers, providing media preparation assistance as needed to members for interviews, letters to the editor, talk radio and other situations, and assisting with media and spokesperson training workshops for members.
5. Enhancing and up-dating website, Facebook, and social media to engage wider audience.
6. Directing or filming, producing videos, fact sheets, and engaging documentation.
7. Producing the Weekly Report and coordinating and writing the quarterly Newsletter.
8. Working with organizers and the Executive Director to write and send email action alerts.
9. Handling communications technology for DRC, the annual meeting and other events and communications efforts.
10. Handling advertising and promotion for issue campaigns.
11. Working with organizers and Executive Director on rapid response communications.
12. Performing the administrative tasks necessary to accomplish his or her job.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Commitment to the mission and goals of the organization, and the community organizing approach to social change
· Excellent communication and people skills; ability to write well
· 5 years experience in communications, particularly with media or advocacy group
· Knowledge of how the media system works in North Dakota; relationships with some media personnel is a plus
· Skills and knowledge in websites, social media, filming, producing videos and print information pieces.
· Familiarity with the public policy process
· Leadership and organizational development capabilities
· Comfortable with farmers, ranchers, rural people, and people from a diversity of cultures and backgrounds; and knowledgeable about one or more of these issues: family agriculture, oil and gas development, and/or clean energy.
· High level of maturity.
· Experience in issue campaigns, political campaigns, community organizing activities and/or fundraising ability is a plus.
· Capacity to work independently as a salaried employee on a flexible schedule.
· Willingness to travel in-state as necessary and out-of-state on a limited basis, using a DRC vehicle when possible, but able to use his or her own vehicle (with mileage compensation).
COMPENSATION
Salary based on experience. Generous benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
Send a cover letter, a resume, writing and/or video sample or link, and 3 references to Don Morrison, Dakota Resource Council, 1200 Missouri Avenue, Suite 201, Bismarck ND 58504 or email to d...@drcinfo.com. Application Deadline: February 5, 2016 or until position is filled.
DRC is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or physical disability.