Field Organizer – Burlington, VT
Organization: 350Vermont
Position Title: Field Organizer
Location: Burlington, VT
Hours & Compensation: Part-time/contract.
Application Deadline: August 16, 2013
Organization Overview:
350VT’s mission is to utilize grassroots organizing and direct action to reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuels, bringing climate justice to our communities. We believe that Vermont can and must play a leading national role in meeting and developing solutions to the climate crisis, and that a climate solutions movement in Vermont must be sustained by grassroots activism and participatory decisionmaking. We have established ourself as Vermont’s largest grassroots network with the primary focus on addressing climate change. Although we share a common vision with 350.org and support their actions, 350VT is an independent organization, fiscally sponsored by the New Organizing Institute Education Fund.
The ultimate goals of the Tar Sands Free Vermont campaign are two-fold: to stop the planned reversal of the Portland Montreal Pipe Line (PMPL) to carry tar sands products, and to keep Vermont Tar Sands Free. This involves growing the local and regional grassroots movement to achieve these ends. 350Vermont will work with the other New England 350 statewide networks, particularly New Hampshire and Maine. We also collaborate closely with allies throughout New England and Québec who are involved with tar sands work or are organizing complementary campaigns against extreme energy extraction and transport.
As part of the Tar Sands Free NE coalition, 350VT advanced these goals by organizing the Tar Sands Free Kingdom walk (2012 & 2013), the “Human Oil Spill” action at the Governor’s conference, and the tar sands town resolution campaign. Over the remaining months of 2013, 350VT seeks to continue this effort by further expanding, strengthening and mobilizing the Vermont-wide grassroots network of opposition to tar sands development and transport and uniting it with other fossil fuel free campaigns active in the state.
Our team is an inclusive and collaborative group that is committed to principles of justice. We welcome new perspectives, innovative ideas and different ways of working. The successful candidate will be a self-starter, a creative thinker, an effective team player, tech-savvy and an articulate writer and speaker. 350Vermont is a dynamic, young, hardworking organization, and this position lets you in at the ground level of an exciting new campaign.
Description:
The Tar Sands Free Field Organizer will be responsible for working with 350VT’s staff, partner organizations, and a network of passionate and engaged grassroots leaders and volunteers across the state. The Tar Sands Free Field Organizer reports to the Coordinator of 350VT.
Responsibilities:
The Tar Sands Free Field Organizer will perform the following roles:
- recruit new leaders and volunteers & support current team of leaders & volunteers
- provide trainings for volunteers. Trainings will include educational content on the campaign and leadership development.
- mobilize statewide campaign for Town Meeting Day with the goal of 50 town resolutions
- organize Tar Sands Teach In(s) with a focus on NEK residents, First Nations/Canadian speakers
- liaise with the Stop the VT Gas Pipeline campaign
- coordinate and collaborate with regional partners: 350 Maine, 350 New Hampshire, 350 Massachusetts, the Better Future Project, and other allied organizations
- fundraise for the Tar Sands Free campaign, including grant-writing, communications with donors, and events
- supervise the tar sands free intern
- maintain a working knowledge of climate change and tar sands, and of the social, political, legislative, regulatory and economic framework relevant to the campaign
- understand 350Vermont and 350.org’s history, campaigns and theory of social change, and keep current with basic climate science and policy. From time to time, use this knowledge to represent 350Vermont’s perspective in varied public venues based on geographic location and areas of expertise.
Qualifications:
We’re looking for an individual who is creative, hardworking, organized, dedicated, self-motivated and a fast learner.
Skills:
- 2-5 years of experience in grassroots organizing, student organizing, or political campaigns, paid or unpaid.
- Experience coaching, training and strategizing with community leaders.
- Commitment to and passion for the 350Vermont mission of building a local movement to stop the climate crisis.
- Ability to navigate diverse cultures and political contexts.
- Passionate about holding our elected leaders and corporations accountable.
- Interested in pursuing creative new ways to build a movement and scale up volunteer led activism.
- Self-starter with the passion, creativity, and drive to make things happen.
- Strong verbal and written communications skills.
- Experience with grant-writing, fundraising, and/or event planning.
Assets:
- Proven ability to work both independently and in close coordination with a team.
- Commitment to empowering others and building grassroots power as a means to affect change.
- Demonstrated experience in cross-class/race/generational organizing.
- Experience in coalition-building and an ability to recognize and develop the diverse strengths of different kinds of organizations and organizers for one cause.
- Willingness to travel for site visits, training, and events and ability to work well from remote locations.
- Experience as an activist and organizer in the climate movement is a plus.
- Social media and web systems experience a plus.
How to Apply:
Send a brief cover letter in the body of your email, resume, and 1-3 writing samples (call scripts, action emails, blogs, event guides, or organizing-related writing preferred) to [email protected] with TAR SANDS FREE FIELD ORGANIZER in the subject line.
Contact Information:
