Field Organizer

Job Title: Temporary Field Organizer

Department: Virginia Chapter

Location: Hybrid, ability to work in Richmond office 2 days per week

Reports To: Chapter Director

Supervises: N/A

Duration: 6 months

 

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 700 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 Temporary Field Organizer is responsible for engaging and motivating large numbers of people to take action on behalf of key Sierra Club Virginia Chapter strategic priorities associated with the deployment of renewable energy and building an affordable energy future for Virginia families. The Organizer regularly engages with Sierra Club volunteers and leaders to build engaging in-person events, conduct phone and text banks to support critical actions, and attends community events/meetings/festivals to build support for our strategic priorities. The Organizer regularly works outside the office and regularly communicates outside of traditional business hours. The organizer must be willing to travel and must be able to communicate work effectively to senior management.

1. Works independently and with staff to devise and implement activities on behalf of Sierra Club Virginia Chapter’s strategic objectives associated with renewable, affordable energy systems. 

2. Identifies, recruits, and organizes volunteers both in Sierra Club and other groups to take public action in support of our objectives.

3. Develops, builds attendance for, and manages in-person events, activities, rallies, and educational opportunities such as town halls ahead of key moments.

4. Participates in coalition spaces, ensuring that Sierra Club’s goals align with those of key partners and stakeholders.

5. Identifies and develops volunteers who will build our grassroots power and networks.  

6. Helps those leaders succeed by training and coaching them on how to strategize, organize, inspire, and motivate.

7. Reports on and measures success of activities to manager to ensure progress towards strategic goals.

• Excellent verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to clearly articulate ideas and easily strike up conversation with diverse groups of people. Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for persuasive communication with individuals on a daily basis, including at in-person events and online.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in an action-oriented office. 

• Ability to work independently, cooperatively and effectively with the public, staff, and volunteers. Strong ability to network, build trust, and build strong working relationships. 

• Able to travel as needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required. 

• 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.