Special Projects Director – Washington, DC

Organization: Beyond Pesticides

Job Title: Special Projects Director

Location: Washington, D.C.

Hours and Compensation: Full time; Salary commensurate with experience, full health benefits, pension plan, 12 days cumulative vacation time in first year.

Position Dates: permanent

Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.

Posted On: August 14, 2012

Organization Overview

Beyond Pesticides, founded in 1981, is a national non-profit research and action organization at the forefront of the grassroots environmental health movement with a focus on eliminating the use of pesticides that are hazardous to human health, wildlife, and the environment. With science, campaigns, information dissemination, and partnerships and coalitions, the organization advocates for the protection of basic human rights, environmental protection, pesticide policy reform, and the adoption of organic practices and policies. For more information on Beyond Pesticides and its projects, visit the website at www.beyondpesticides.org.

Description

If you are interested in helping people and community-based organizations to advance an organic future and stop the use of practices and products that poison people and contaminate the environment, Beyond Pesticides has a position for you. Beyond Pesticides is seeking a creative, self-motivated individual, with at least a masters degree in a related science discipline, to serve as special projects director. This position will work with a team of staff to empower local, state and national level activity aimed at eliminating the reliance on toxic chemicals and advancing organic systems. To effectively excel in this position, the person must believe in and exhibit substantial background working to achieve a precautionary and preventive approach to the protection of health and the environment. This person should have background in scientific disciplines that inform effective strategies and arguments to challenge status-quo dependencies on toxic chemicals, regulatory experience in critiquing standards and risk assessments, and skills in interpreting scientific studies into terms understandable to the general public. The person must possess a passion for the issues in order to sustain a rigorous work schedule and the ability to multi-task on numerous subjects. Stellar research and writing skills are required to effectively produce numerous regulatory comments, public information pamphlets, web postings, and congressional, state, and local testimony. Desire and ability to work with the public, a commitment to social justice, and an optimism about the future is all necessary to be successful in this position.

Responsibilities

Beyond Pesticides/NCAMP seeks a special projects director to:

• Coordinate campaigns that may include, but are not limited to, pollinator protection, organic management systems, protecting children, biodiversity preservation, genetic engineering, and global climate change.
• Organize communities and generate support for local, statewide, and national pesticide reform and the adoption of organic systems.
• Research, develop and distribute outreach materials and reports regarding campaigns.
• Build relationships with pesticide activists/network and with media and serve in a technical assistance capacity.
• Conduct advocacy, lobby, educate, and speak to promote campaign mission.
• Contribute to organization’s extensive outreach through its publications, website, social media, and direct communication with the public.
• Develop new projects and campaigns as needed.
• The special project director will be asked to assist the executive director and program staff on an as-needed basis

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a graduate degree, and have a minimum of five years work experience in public interest organizations. Excellent communication skills, ability to work independently and in a group, computer proficiency, and online applications, ability to juggle priorities and a willingness to take initiative required. Ability to work some nights and weekends expected.

How to Apply

Send Resume and Cover Letter to: Job Search/special projects director, Beyond Pesticides/NCAMP, 701 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003 or via email to [email protected]. Position is open until filled. No calls please and apologies for our inability to respond to all applications submitted.

Beyond Pesticides/NCAMP is an equal opportunity employer.