Chapter Organizer

Job Title: Chapter Organizer

Department: Utah Chapter 

Location: Hybrid based in Salt Lake City

Reports To: Chapter Director 

Context:  At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees. 

Scope: The Chapter Organizer is responsible for organizing campaigns which win real victories and build the grassroots power to accomplish Sierra Club Utah priorities, which are: to protect our lands, water and wildlife, protect communities from pollution, ensure access to the outdoors for all, address climate disruption, and transform the energy economy. The Chapter Organizer works closely with volunteers, partners, and staff across the assigned region, while harnessing all of the strategic levers of Sierra Club Utah including legal, communications, digital strategies, and subject matter/campaign expertise. The Chapter Organizer works on local teams to recruit and train volunteers to fulfill goals and build leadership capabilities. The Chapter Organizer represents Sierra Club Utah at community events and with partner organizations, to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, and the public. The Chapter Organizer plans and implements tactics to help achieve the assigned regional strategy; the Chapter Organizer will do this by fostering volunteer leadership and participation on movement-ready teams, building and recruiting for events and actions to accomplish policy priorities, and reporting on campaign results and effectiveness.

• Design and implement strategic campaigns: Participates in the creation of a campaign strategy with other chapter staff and Sierra Club Utah volunteers. With the support of the manager and Chapter Director, national staff, and volunteers, develops individual campaign organizing plans, including organizing tactics, and ensures that campaigns are rooted in equity and justice and inclusive of frontline and directly impacted communities.
• Organizing Implementation: Collaborates with volunteers to implement the organizing plans.  Includes facilitating organizing meetings, volunteer onboarding and integration, and developing and leveraging partnerships. Tracks policy and regulatory proceedings that are relevant to the campaign, identifies opportunities for engagement, mobilization, or intervention. This includes evaluating progress towards goals through data collection and key metrics.
• Build capacity and grassroots power:  Builds a healthy, mutually accountable relationship with Chapter staff and volunteers. Communicates clear expectations, capacity, and works in strategic alignment to accomplish campaign and overarching Sierra Club Utah goals. Prioritizes relationships with volunteer leaders and coordinates with other Sierra Club stakeholders as needed.  Develops organizing strategies guided by Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. Builds grassroots power at the community, state, and national level by helping leaders (Leaders = volunteers, grasstops and partners) succeed through training and coaching.
• Volunteer Recruitment and Leadership Development: Identify and recruit potential volunteers and activists, match volunteers to their areas of interest, and increase volunteer and activist participation within the Chapter structure. Support issue-focused volunteer teams to accomplish their goals, coach volunteers on skills, coordinate activities, and to engage key stakeholders and coalitions, elected and appointed decision makers, and their influencers to assure advancement of Sierra Club Utah’s priorities. In coordination with other staff, supports the volunteer leadership development including facilitating training and coaching leaders and supporting governance processes and functions. Maintain good data practices tracking volunteers teams, roles, and contact information as well as other core metrics.
• Mobilization and Event Planning: Organizes with coalition partners and outside interest groups to plan volunteer activities supporting Sierra Club Utah’s priorities. Attends chapter, group, and committee meetings to coordinate events and mobilization tactics. Responds to inquiries concerning membership, outings, events, and environmental issues from the general public, members, and volunteers. Provides good public relations and volunteer support for Sierra Club Utah.
• Media, Digital, and Communications: Organizes digital communications (email, social media) to inform Sierra Club’s members and supporters. Facilitates earned and opinion media to reach campaign strategy goals. Develop educational/informational materials such as newsletters, flyers, and fact sheets that use community-informed language. Develops and implements a variety of engagement strategies including on-line, narrative strategy, and face-to-face to maximize the reach of campaign messages.
• Local Representation of Sierra Club: In coordination with staff and volunteers, represents Sierra Club Utah priorities to public officials, partner organizations, and to the media. Maintains positive relationships with strategic partners, coalitions, members of the media, grassroots leaders, elected officials, and government officials when strategic. As needed, serves as Sierra Club spokesperson to media outlets and promotes volunteer and partner organization media exposure.
• Build and Participate in Teams: Builds, maintains, and participates on teams to advance campaign work and Chapter organization building. Trains and develops volunteer leaders who are skillful at facilitating effective, healthy teams. Actively participates and builds teams as needed. Supports a community of care with colleagues and collaborators and recognizes the need for self care in order to sustain ourselves and our work.
• Perform miscellaneous chapter administrative and related duties as assigned by the Chapter Director

• Seasonal Activities: Heavier seasonal workloads may occur as a result of project deadlines, staff absences and vacancies, and during peak activity periods.  Regular evening and weekend work is a part of this role. Time will be allotted to balance the organizer’s workload in these seasons. Through the challenge of campaign work, at the Utah chapter we embody balance and wellness as we approach our work. You can learn more here.

• Organizing Experience: Experience as a field organizer and/or community organizing and/or demonstrated ability in onboard, training, and support of volunteers. Experience designing and implementing tactics as part of a larger campaign strategy.
• Data Practices: A working understanding of quantitative data (for example, numbers of people engaged) and qualitative data (for instance, stories about people taking action) and a willingness to use data to inform and evaluate organizing work.
• Tech Tools: Experience using and training on a variety of in person and online/virtual tools, for example tools such as Zoom, G-Suite, peer-to-peer texting and Mobilize, and venues for volunteer outreach and engagement.
• Team Building: Demonstrated leadership experience working within a team structure. Ability to build vision, trust, and mutual accountability with team members. Experience working closely with volunteers.
• Effective written and oral communicator: Able to convey information to educate and engage others. Active listener, with ability to understand others’ points-of-view, priorities and motivations.
• Uplifting and additive: You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.
• Bring the Sierra Club Utah Chapter’s values to your role: Anti-Racism, Balance, Collaboration, Justice, and Transformation - link

• Knowledge of environmental and energy issues, and either expertise or an ability to develop expertise in region conservation, climate justice, and/or energy areas.
• Demonstrates the ability to create rapport and inspire trust. Open to feedback and the ability to learn new skills.

• This job description encompasses all of the functions held by this position. A realistic annual work plan will be developed based on the strategic priorities and campaign goals of the state and/or region. The work plan will be approved by this position’s manager and adjusted as needed throughout the year. Depending on the needs of the state and/or region, the Chapter Organizer may be doing some of these functions more than others. The work plan is the tool a manager will use to ensure there is clarity around expectations and work responsibilities.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

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