North Carolina Field Coordinator

About Appalachian Voices

Appalachian Voices is a nonprofit advocacy organization that brings people together to protect the land, air, and water of Central and Southern Appalachia and advance a just transition to a clean energy economy. We currently have over 40 staff members across the region, with offices located in Boone, North Carolina; Charlottesville and Norton, Virginia, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Commitment to Equity

Appalachian Voices is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion both in our work and in our organizational structure. We seek applicants who share and exhibit these principles. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

We understand people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the position details and responsibilities listed. If you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill many of the requirements of this role, we encourage you to apply. We may tailor the role to a talented or passionate candidate.

Position Details

The North Carolina Field Coordinator will be supervised by Appalachian Voices' Senior Program Manager, Energy & Climate Resilience, and will play a key role in our efforts to advance program implementation in clean energy; energy affordability; climate risk awareness, mitigation and preparedness; and to protect environmental and public health in NC communities. The primary region of focus for the Coordinator will be Western NC, with some statewide work also included.

The North Carolina Field Coordinator will primarily be responsible for outreach, coalition building, development of educational materials and resources, and supporting the implementation of programs and projects. Work may also include volunteer training and mobilization. This position will foster the connection between community members and our work, ensuring that a diverse range of partners and individuals who have been directly impacted by severe weather, and other environmental and social harms, inform our strategies and priorities. An understanding of community organizing in rural and post-disaster settings, and an ability to bridge the grassroots and technical components of our work, will be key to success. The work will be focused on building community preparedness and resilience in the face of climate change, and providing assistance for local community groups, rural businesses, local governments, and electric cooperatives seeking to build and finance clean energy and energy efficiency projects.

Location

This position may operate remotely from anywhere in Western North Carolina or may be based out of our Boone, NC office. Regular travel within Western North Carolina and the surrounding region is required.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities

• Build relationships and earn trust with community members and partners, supporting new and existing community-based organizations focused on post-Helene recovery and climate and energy resilience;
• Help develop strategies, tools and informational resources to improve grassroots understanding of climate-driven severe weather risks, risk mitigation and emergency preparedness actions, including a particular focus on resilience hub development and energy resilience.
• Support planning, organization, and facilitation of community engagement events.
• Raise awareness and education about clean energy and energy efficiency programs by planning and facilitating community meetings and informational presentations.
• Support the advancement of Appalachian Voices' objectives in North Carolina by growing the statewide movement for clean energy and environmental justice, and developing and implementing a range of community activities that grow and engage our base of supporters.
• Drive public comments and turnout to meetings and hearings using a variety of digital outreach strategies with support from our communications team.
• Support development and writing of grant applications.

Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with community engagement and grassroots organizing, preferably including leadership development, volunteer coordination, member/supporter mobilization, and strategic campaign/project implementation.
• Prior experience with clean energy, energy efficiency/weatherization, disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and/or trauma-informed engagement is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice; passion for and familiarity with the Southern/Central Appalachian region.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information to a range of audiences and develop persuasive messaging for outreach materials.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to set priorities, multi-task, and meet deadlines for both short- and long-term goals in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively facilitate group meetings and calls; event planning skills, including media outreach, event promotion, and logistics coordination.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including good listening and the ability to create and maintain spaces that are inclusive and welcoming.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit; specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Appalachian Voices offers competitive compensation and benefits that include employer-paid health care, vision, and dental policies with options to include family members at a reduced cost; short- and long-term disability plans; an optional flexible spending account; generous paid vacation and parental leave; flexible working hours; and an employer-matched retirement plan.

Salary is commensurate with experience; however, the expected salary range is between $50,000-57,500. Appalachian Voices is committed to equity in pay practices.

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