Job Title: Chapter Organizer
Department: San Francisco Bay Chapter
Location: Oakland, CA or remote within SF Bay Chapter region (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco counties)
Reports to: Chapter Organizing Manager
Supervises: N/A
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: This Chapter Organizer will focus on Clean Heat and Air Quality campaigns, and will lead Sierra Club's advocacy in the SF Bay Chapter region to transition to 100% clean energy, with a focus on ensuring an equitable and affordable transition for all. The SF Bay region has led the country in terms of moving away from gas-powered appliances and pipelines in homes and new construction while also advancing clean energy utility options. The Chapter Organizer will build upon those victories to transition to full electrification.
The San Francisco Bay Chapter is the local body of the Sierra Club, America's largest and most effective grassroots environmental organization. The Bay Chapter is made up of the roughly 30,000 Sierra Club members who live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Francisco counties. Our Chapter staff work in close partnership with our volunteer leaders, grassroots supporters, partners, and State and national Sierra Club staff to achieve local campaign victories that help advance the Sierra Club’s visionary goals: clean energy, air, and water for all; a clean and just economy; protecting and enjoying nature; and democracy of, by, and for all people. The Chapter Organizer builds grassroots power, executes campaign strategy, and supports leadership development.
Job Activities include but are not limited to:
Coordinates volunteer‑based community outreach, organizing, and education efforts to achieve campaign victories in advancing electrification and air quality rules with the Bay Area Air District, among other local chapter priorities.Coordinates community outreach, organizing, lobbying, and education efforts to achieve campaign victories in local Chapter policy priorities.Identifies, develops, and supports volunteer leaders and builds grassroots power and networks. Recruits, engages, trains, and motivates people to influence decision makers and help achieve campaign victories.Identifies and is responsible for developing strong relationships with key people of influence including public officials and community leaders, especially from frontline communities, to influence positive campaign or program outcomes.Works with appropriate local Chapter staff, volunteer entities, and partners to plan and implement educational, visibility, media, and community outreach events to generate public support with relevant decision makers and in the media.Represents the Sierra Club to the public and in the media, including developing public education and media strategy. Writes newsletter articles, op-eds, and alerts. Work with Chapter Organizers and Communications Associate to translate complex air quality regulations and technical policy issues into narrative strategies and accessible language for organizers, volunteers, coalition partners, and community membersSupports frontline communities and volunteers who will build grassroots power and networks. Helps leaders in these communities succeed by providing and supporting training and coaching.Measures and evaluates the success of activities with the manager to ensure progress towards the campaign or program's mission and goals.Performs administrative, clerical, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.Occasionally works weekends and evenings as needed to meet campaign goalsTravels to relevant communities and locations as necessary to implement campaign plans. Must have a valid driver’s license.
The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:
2+ years experience working in the environmental or social justice movements, political campaigns, or connected fields to plan and implement grassroots campaigns. Basic knowledge of current environmental issues affecting California and the Bay Area.Must have a working understanding of environmental justice, just transitions, movement-building and the ability to coordinate across a variety of social justice issues. Must share a commitment to prioritizing working alongside underserved or historically underrepresented groups. Excellent verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to clearly articulate ideas and easily strike up conversation with diverse groups of people. Ability to work independently, cooperatively, and effectively with public, staff, and volunteers. Strong ability to network, build trust, and build working relationships. Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.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.
The strongest candidates will also demonstrate some or all of the following experience, skills and competencies:
Has current contacts or has the ability to develop contacts with environmental coalition partners in the Bay Area.Has or can develop an understanding of the Bay Area political landscape.Has or can develop relationships with BAAD, CARB, or other California environmental agencies.Strong and persuasive writer.Creative and nimble user of social media.Familiarity with advocacy tools such as email action alerts, peer-to-peer texting, and phone banking/canvassing.
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.
