Community Organizer

Job Title: Community Organizer

Department: Michigan Chapter

Location: Detroit, MI

Reports To: Chapter Director

Supervises: None 

Hours: Part-time, 28 hours

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: As Michigan Chapter community organizer, you will help lead and execute assigned components of Sierra Club Michigan’s water, air, land, wildlife, and energy campaign work, with a primary focus on projects in Detroit, MI. You will work with Sierra Club staff, volunteer leadership, donors, and partner organizations to implement strategically coordinated campaigns; help educate and engage Sierra Club members, supporters, partners, and the general public on our priority issues; and support networks of engaged volunteer activists across the state. This position requires frequent evening and weekend work for volunteer meetings and public events; requires an ability to travel within the state with a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record; and may require occasional out-of-state travel to regional or national meetings.

• Programmatic Strategy and Implementation. Plans, coordinates, and implements campaigns for various programs and projects in collaboration with the key staff and volunteers. Develops tactics and metrics, tracks policy and regulatory proceedings, identifies opportunities for engagement, mobilization, or intervention for one or more campaign outcomes. Coordinates and measures the success of these campaigns with the State Director and volunteer leaders to ensure progress towards meeting the campaign's goals.
• Great Lakes Protection. Collaborate with the Chapter Director, legislative and political staff and volunteer leaders to further the Chapter’s goal of protecting the Great Lakes. Lead green stormwater infrastructure and Great Lakes protection programs. Facilitate educational and hands-on workshops to install rain gardens, rain barrels and provide training for green stormwater infrastructure maintenance. These tasks involve physical labor and the use of manual gardening tools/equipment, hack saws and drills. May also support campaigns related to air, land, wildlife, and energy as assigned.
• Volunteer Development & Engagement. Identifies, trains, informs, and motivates volunteers  to build and sustain grassroots power that centers frontline communities, influences decision makers and achieves campaign victories. 
• Communications. Supports communications and base building by leveraging digital organizing tools and internal and external communications. Represents the Sierra Club to the public and in the media. Writes newsletter articles, op-eds, and action alerts.
• Fundraising. Assists with grant writing, engaging donors or foundations, grant management, data management and reporting in partnership with the Chapter Director and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Collaboration. Identifies and is responsible for developing strong relationships with key organizations and people, including community leaders and public officials, to positively influence campaign or program outcomes. Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s diversity initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate. 
• Community Engagement. Organizes events, trainings, rallies, outings, meetings and communities to ensure visibility of the Sierra Club in a way that is strategic and values-aligned.
• Performs administrative, clerical, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Grassroots organizing & teamwork. You have experience working with groups using democratic decision-making. You have worked with partners to achieve shared goals by building pressure on a decision-maker through escalating advocacy tactics. You can manage a fast-moving, dynamic campaign plan involving multiple stakeholders, partners, volunteers, and decision-makers. You can motivate groups of people to take action for a cause and find joy in developing leaders while building grassroots power.
• Strong written, oral  & facilitation skills. You can communicate complex topics clearly and concisely while tailoring your message to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. You are comfortable speaking in front of large and small groups, hosting virtual convenings, leading group discussions, and facilitating hands-on workshops. You are able to convey information and help everyone share their ideas while moving through an intentional agenda in a timely manner.
• Collaboration. You are effective and efficient, working independently as well as cooperatively to accomplish complex work projects, and can point to specific examples of your experience with each. You know how to manage a project or campaign timeline while engaging the relevant staff and volunteers in a timely manner.
• Environmental and social justice analysis & practice. You understand how climate change, environmental degradation, and limited access to nature disproportionately impact communities of color, low-income communities, and other marginalized groups. You are interested in or have experience developing inclusive campaigns at the intersection of environmental action and social justice.
• Equity analysis & practice. You are aware of your personal group identities and how they have shaped your life and work experiences. You have an analysis of how racism and other forms of oppression in society impact relationships, systems and culture. You bring experience and skills for working effectively with colleagues across group identities, positions and roles. 
• Tech Proficiency. Experience using Google Suite, Zoom and social media platforms.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Great Lakes water quality issues, green infrastructure practices/management, native plants or water policy. Expertise or ability to develop expertise in regional energy, climate justice and/or conservation areas.
• Experience lobbying or representing elected or appointed office at any level of government is highly desirable. 
• Strong relationships with Detroit-based environmental groups, grassroots organizers and nonprofits. 
• Experience writing and managing grants, grant reporting or experience engaging individual donors.
• Experience working with traditional media and campaign tools like Hustle or VAN. 

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.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.