Community Democracy Coordinator

The Organization

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm that believes that all communities should have access to the tools of change, and that everyone has the right to make decisions about their air, water, and places where they live, work and play. Fair Shake provides client-centered legal representation regardless of income; education to young attorneys in legal services entrepreneurship; and support to communities to reach the vision they have for their environmental futures.

Position Summary

The Community Democracy Coordinator will support environmental justice by taking the lead in building authentic, reciprocal, and engaged relationships with individuals and communities throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. This individual will then foster collaboration and facilitate interactive education and skills training, create resources, provide technical assistance, and build capacity for communities engaged in the fight against data centers and the data center infrastructure build-out, as well as advocate for future community-driven goals in the region.

Job Tasks:

• Build strength-based, reciprocal relationships with diverse individuals and community partners in-person and virtually and then lead those relationships in meaningful collaborations.
• Foster collaboration and community-building to bring communities together, learn, share, and provide mutual support and education within and between towns and states.
• Lead and facilitate 1:1, small, and large-group community education, in-person and virtually, with community members, community leaders, and other partners about environmental justice topics, including community organizing (for example - power mapping, communications, community engagement), community lawyering (for example - public commenting, municipal policy, local decision-making processes, and state permits).
• Collaborate closely with Fair Shake Staff Attorney and Community Democracy team to ‘translate’ complex legal and policy language into creative resources and community education.
• Coordinate activities including planning events, locations, logistics, coalition partners, and community education content.
• Analyze and maintain qualitative and quantitative data collected through community events and conversation that describes community strengths, needs, vision, as well as outputs such as community contacts, outreach and education outcomes and attendance.

Qualifications & Strengths

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen for understanding.
• Ability to translate complex information into accessible communications and content.
• Experience facilitating small and large groups both in-person and virtually.
• Creative thinking and proactive problem-solving skills, with a strong interest in ideas and comfort with complexity.
• Knowleddge of the Ohio River Valley, Appalachia, and an appreciation for each communities’ unique culture, strengths, and challenges.
• A commitment to:
  • promoting fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies;
  • empowering communities and stimulating economies in the Appalachian Basin region by providing environmental legal services and counseling to allow the underserved to make decisions about practical and innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges across the region.

Requirements:

• At least three years’ experience in a diverse background, such as community engagement, , health education, organizing, social work, racial and economic justice work, public policy, law, and/or Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Applicant must have reliable transportation and proof of insurance to travel across the three-state (WV, OH, and PA) area for community-based work.
• Ability to work during occasional evenings or weekends, with flexibility to ensure an average work week of 32 hours.

Location

Fair Shake is an organization that works remotely from our homes, with staff located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. This position will require travel throughout Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and parts of West Virginia (estimated about twice/month of in-person presence). Priority will be given to individuals who live in Ohio or Western Pennsylvania.

Compensation & Benefits

Fair Shake offers an annual salary range of $47,000-55,000 commensurate with skills and experience as well as a comprehensive benefits package that includes 20 days paid vacation; 10 days paid sick leave; travel cost reimbursement; fully employer-paid premiums on medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid parental leave; and a retirement savings plan (after an eligibility period).

To Apply

We will be considering applications on a rolling basis as they come in, with a deadline date of 11/20/26. To apply, please submit via e-mail a letter of interest explaining why this role excites you, along with a copy of your résumé to:

Meagan Niebler, Director of Community Democracy

mniebler@fairshake-els.org

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity in our workforce. People who live in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other Environmental Justice communities; people of color; women; and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities are encouraged to apply.

Fair Shake offers an annual salary range of $47,000-55,000 commensurate with skills and experience as well as a comprehensive benefits package that includes 20 days paid vacation; 10 days paid sick leave; travel cost reimbursement; fully employer-paid premiums on medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid parental leave; and a retirement savings plan (after an eligibility period).

Funding Note: This position is grant-funded, with guaranteed funding for a one-year period. Fair Shake commits to seeking funding to continue this important role and work past the one-year period.