Job description

 

COMMUNITY ACTION WORKS HIRING FOR CLEAN WATER DIRECTOR AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER JOB DESCRIPTION

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

At Community Action Works (formerly Toxics Action Center), we believe that environmental threats are big, but the power of well-organized community groups is bigger. That’s why we work side by side with everyday people to confront those who are polluting and harming the health of our communities. We partner with the people who are most impacted by environmental problems, especially Black, Indigenous, communities of color and poor communities, training them with the know-how anyone would need to make change in their own backyard. Because when neighbors know how to make change, they can build the power to transform our world.

To be the best organizers we can be, we’re diving deep into what it means to undo racism and classism through our work.

The Clean Water Director and Community Organizer organizes on the ground with local community groups in Maine and New Hampshire and co-coordinates the National PFAS Contamination Coalition, made up of 40 communities in 18 states impacted by water polluted by the toxic, forever chemicals PFAS. In leading the organization’s water justice work, the Clean Water Director also supports our team region-wide to organize with local communities facing the most profound threats to their health and to drinking water. 

Joining the team at Community Action Works, you’ll get to dive deep into building power with communities facing the most profound environmental and water threats, while driving a national coalition led by the very community members who are most impacted. You will have the opportunity to work side by side with community leaders, developing their leadership while growing your own. And your role in working with other environmental organizations will be to center Black, Indigenous, communities of color and working class communities, and other communities deeply impacted by pollution. Our team at Community Action Works is closely knit, and we weave in relationship-building, cultural exploration, on-going training, and healing practices into every aspect of our work, as we build a culture where organizers can thrive.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinate movement-building strategy and policy work: Work hand in hand with frontline community leaders to develop and carry out a broad national vision to build people power for a healthier and more just world. At the heart of this work is partnering with grassroots leadership to co-coordinate the National PFAS Contamination Coalition, a national coalition of communities impacted by water contamination. Co-lead the coalition to carry out their mission of supporting local organizing for clean water and justice for victims of PFAS exposure through building state and national campaigns for change. Facilitate monthly Leadership Team and Grassroots Team calls. 
• Community organizing workshops and leadership development: Working side by side with communities on the forefront of pollution threats,  lead workshops on community organizing skills and hold one-on-one coaching, and leadership development sessions with community leaders (most work currently remote)—with a focus on building relationships in the most impacted communities. 
• Campaign development and campaign strategy: Identify the most profound local environmental threats in the regione and build relationships with key local leaders, particularly in Black, Indigenous and communities of color and poor communities. Work with leaders to identify solutions to local environmental problems and research and develop creative strategies to win. 
• Networking and movement-building event planning:  Join in organizing a power building grassroots conference, membership assembly, and other virtual or in-person movement-building events, including taking leadership in organizing the June 2022 PFAS Conference in North Carolina. Build deep relationships with community leaders, along with trust  and rapport with lawmakers, agency decision makers, coalition partners, and other stakeholders. Represent the organization and coalition in national clean water coalition movement spaces.
• Fundraising: Join our team in organizing the money. Identify and cultivate relationships with donors, assist with grant-seeking, and participate in other grassroots fundraising tactics including door-to-door canvassing, letter writing, and events. 
• Organizational development: Share your vision, creative ideas, and passion for the organization’s future as together we implement and update a strategic three-year plan that centers racial and class equity. 

Qualifications: Candidates must have at least 2 years of related work experience, such as community organizing, base-building, campaign coordination, environmental advocacy, and/or coalition building. Candidates with more than 5 years of experience may be qualified for the director level, which would include more leadership responsibility in fundraising, organizational development and overseeing staff.

Ideally, candidates should have a driver’s license and a car that they are willing and able to drive for work. Organizers must exercise excellent judgment and discretion and have the ability to oversee significant projects. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience organizing in multi-racial, multi-generational, and cross-class settings, has strategic thinking and effective facilitation skills, and is passionate about community organizing, movement building, and racial, economic and environmental justice.

Location: This ideal candidate will be based in Maine or New Hampshire. We are willing to consider qualified candidates in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont or Rhode Island. 

Salary and Benefits: Salary for this position is commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and/or advanced degrees. We offer a competitive benefits package, opportunities for advancement, and training.

To Apply: Apply online at https://communityactionworks.org/jobs/job-form/. Direct your application to Megan Stokes, Deputy Director and please state the position you are applying to in your cover letter. We’ll review your application and if we are interested in discussing your candidacy further, we will be in touch with you shortly.

Community Action Works is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

Details

Employer
Community Action Works

Job category
Advocacy

Employment type
Full Time

Experience
0+ years

Compensation
Salary for this position is commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and/or advanced degrees. We offer a competitive benefits package, opportunities for advancement, and training.

Start date

Apply by December 22, 2021