Policy Organizer (short-term), Pesticide Action Network – Iowa
Organization: Pesticide Action Network
Position Title: Iowa Policy Organizer
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Hours and Compensation: This is a shortterm, parttime position, ideally starting December 8th and ending April 30, 2015; Competitive compensation, depending on qualifications and experience.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Selections of candidates for interview will be made beginning November 15, 2014 and continue as long as wellqualified candidates present themselves or until the position is filled.
Description: Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North America seeks a highimpact Organizer to support powerful legislation in the state of Iowa to protect farmers and rural communities from pesticide drift. PAN is working with the Iowa Farmer’s Union and other allies to pass state legislation to help prevent pesticide drift from impacting food production and public health. The primary role of the Organizer will be to build support for this bill through community outreach, media work, direct lobbying, and online engagement. This advocacy position combines coalitionbuilding with community organizing and expertise in both social and traditional media.
The ideal candidate will bring twoplus years organizing experience, formal organizing training and a commitment to continued learning. He/she will be bilingual in Spanish and English; tech savvy; a good writer for social media; a strategic thinker; and thrive on building public relationships as part of an organizing effort for change. This position is based in Des Moines, though we will consider candidates in other parts of Iowa, and includes travel throughout the state. We seek someone who is able to build strong, productive relationships with organized groups of people working to build a better food system: farm families, beekeepers, farmworkers, Indigenous nations, faith communities and others. In particular we seek candidates familiar with and passionate about issues of sustainable agriculture and/or environmental health and justice.
Responsibilities:
Organizing
- Build productive public relationships with family farm organizations, health professionals, faith communities, and food justice organizations, among others.
- Connect and support leaders from engaged organizations that are interested in supporting pesticide legislation in Iowa.
- Work with PAN program teams and partner organizations to win policy change.
- Participate in strategic planning and evaluation.
- Participate in legislative coalition meetings and attend hearings and lobby days in Des
Moines
Administration
- Maintain campaign records and track expenses
- Connect regularly with Oakland headquarters to participate in team meetings
Advocacy communications
- Track and get up to speed on issues and bodies of research as needed
- Act as a PAN spokesperson for Midwest media outlets, and help generate earned media on our issues
- Write for traditional media and social media in the form of blog posts, opeds or other thought pieces as opportunities arise to reframe public conversation on our issues
- Engage and cultivate other strategic spokespeople, especially farmers and health Professionals
Qualifications:
Required:
- Twoplus years organizing experience and proven campaign success working with partners from diverse, multiracial communities
- Excellent verbal and writing skills, including the ability to translate technical information into lay terms that inspire action
- Very strong drive
- Strong project management skills and followthrough
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Ability to work in diverse teams, and manage time and workload effectively
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative and solve problems creatively
- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record, and willingness to travel throughout Iowa
- Comfort with public speaking, including speaking with media and policymakers.
Preferred:
- Experience with food system reform, environmental health, and/or social justice is
strongly preferred
- Familiarity with Google apps and a Mac environment is helpful, though not necessary
- Preferred start: Dec 2015
- Spanish/English fluency
How to Apply: Please submit an email with “Iowa Policy Organizer: [your name]” in the subject line, and attach a letter of interest in working with PAN, a resume with work experience, salary history, a copy of an organizing or campaign plan you have developed in the past, and a writing sample to [email protected].
