Action Campaigner / Action Coordinator - Greenpeace USA (DC)

Greenpeace is the leading independent environmental organization that utilizes bold action, cutting-edge research and creative communications to protect the Earth. We expose global environmental problems and promote the solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. We investigate, document and expose environmental destruction in a peaceful manner and promote open, informed debate about society's environmental choices. To ensure our independence we do not accept donations from corporations or governments. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.greenpeace.org

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

The Action Campaigner / Action Coordinator is a member of the Greenpeace USA Action Team, primarily responsible for furthering Greenpeace USA's campaign objectives through ongoing strategic and tactical planning with Greenpeace Campaigners. They are part of a team of other Action Campaigners and tactical specialists who are responsible for developing and deploying innovative, creative, confrontational and inspirational peaceful direct actions, direct communications, protests and other campaign and logistical activities. The Action Campaigner is responsible for working directly with the Action Team Director and Campaigns department staff in evaluating appropriate tactics and timing for these events based on campaign strategies and objectives.

The Action Campaigner has experience in project management, campaigning, field logistics and direct action coordination. The Action Campaiger develops objectives and tactics to support campaign strategies. They lead or have a role in project and planning teams of various sizes. They are highly skilled in communication and planning. They work well under pressure, have an understanding of health and safety issues relating to direct action work, a commitment to the ideals of Greenpeace and an understanding of environmental and peace issues. They are also an excellent strategic thinker, skilled in conflict resolution, demonstrating a high degree of initiative and creativity. They are committed to peaceful direct action as means of affecting change. The position requires travel both within the US and internationally.

Other responsibilities include coordination of field events, and training activists in project planning and logistical coordination. They are responsible for the health and safety of all individuals under their care in the field.

As a member of the Action Team, the Action Campaigner is required to work in a close team dynamic. The Action Team at Greenpeace USA is responsible for supporting the Campaigns Department in developing and deploying direct-action field activities, the management of action warehouses and equipment, and the training, recruitment and coordination of direct action activists.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. ACTION CAMPAIGNING

A. Serve as a liaison between the Action Team and Campaign Department for ongoing development and coordination of peaceful direct actions and field events that support campaign strategies and objectives. Ensure that targets are appropriately selected, tactics are relevant, and research is conducted as necessary.

B. Design and implement direct action tactics that contribute to changing public, government, and/or corporate behavior in line with campaign objectives.

C. Solicit the input of creative and innovative thinkers on projects from inside and outside of the organization towards developing new and innovative forms of direct action.

D. Engage fellow Action Campaigners and all Action Team staff with new action opportunities, ideas and projects within campaigns and facilitate involvement of team members in brainstorms and generation of ideas.

E. Represent Action Team at weekly and monthly Campaign Coordination Team, greater Campaign Team and similar meetings as assigned.

F. Work with the Activist Program Manager to develop a program to identify, develop and train activists in action coordination and action campaigning skills.

G. Work with Activist Program Manager to contract and coordinate skilled staff and non-staff activists in action and logistics coordination roles for projects and events.

H. Manage project budgets.

I. Participate in the annual Campaign planning process as an Action Team representative.

2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT / DIRECT ACTION COORDINATION

A. Responsible for logistical planning, preparation, coordination and execution of direct actions, direct communications, protests, investigations, tours, ship-based actions and other interventions.

B. Ensure that all personnel in direct actions strictly apply to health and safety procedures.

C. Ensure that all Action Team planning processes are adhered to. Responsible for administrative duties pertaining to Action Team procedures in the preparation, execution and follow-up of events, including updating action personnel data, loss/damage insurance claims, etc.

D. Responsible for all financial aspects of action projects, including budget proposals, cost control, processing invoices and producing after-project budget reports.

E. Ensure that technical and logistical debriefs are conducted after every event, and any relevant information is fed into the evaluation report.

F. Ensure that actions are comprehensively reviewed and/or evaluated as per internal evaluation process.

G. Responsible for ensuring the Activist Program Manager is informed of all personnel-related issues upon completion of an event, including legal issues and administrative issues.

H. Responsible for ensuring that the Equipment and Warehouse Manager is informed of all action equipment-related issues upon completion of an event, including the return/replacement of seized equipment and updating equipment logbooks.

I. Responsible for working closely with the Equipment and Warehouse Manager on all equipment-related matters in connection with the planning, preparation, coordination and execution of events.

J. Supervise and coordinate contractors and volunteers working on projects as required.

3. TRAINING

A. Provide input into the development and implementation of the activist training program to the Activist Program Manager, and as needed, act as a trainer, especially in one's field of expertise.

4. OTHER

A. Maintain and develop relations with direct action staff throughout all Greenpeace offices including International Marine & Action Division.

B. On occasion, represent Greenpeace to the media, authorities, allies or opponents.

C. Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Action Team Director.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Qualities and Skills:

• Proven team leadership, management abilities and personnel assessment skills
• Experience in coordinating and/or team leading in direct actions and/or experience in managing large teams of people in complex and stressful situations
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Excellent organizing, project management, and planning skills
• Budget management experience
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to be self-directed and to work well under pressure
• Commitment to the ideals of Greenpeace, including a global perspective
• Commitment to peaceful direct action
• Understanding of environmental and peace issues
• Understanding of health and safety issues relating to direct actions
• Diverse research skills
• Ability to work with confidential information
• Basic computer literacy
• Current driving license
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively

Desirable Qualities and Skills:

• Experience as a trainer in one or more of; boat driving, climbing, peaceful direct action, wilderness first aid
• Experience working with ships or other vessels
• Experience working as a Campaigner for either Greenpeace or other non-profit
• Experience working within a complex organization

BENEFITS:

Greenpeace USA values a healthy work-life balance and has flexible, family-friendly employment policies. Our competitive benefits package for full-time employees includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with low contributions from staff. We have options for pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care costs. Greenpeace employees enjoy generous 401K matching and time off for vacation, sick, personal, and parental leave. After five years, staff are eligible for a paid sabbatical. To encourage public transportation use and biking, we offer subsidies for staff who choose to bike or ride mass transit to work. Greenpeace is committed to the growth and development of staff and fostering a creative workplace culture. For more information, check out our benefits plan.