California Green New Deal Coalition State Organizer

Organizational Background and Mission

The California Green New Deal Coalition is a coalition of community organizations, advocates, unions, and allies across California who believe that the future of our state and planet depends on rapidly transitioning to a clean energy economy with justice at its core.

Our purpose is to build collaborative political power for a CA Green New Deal that reflects the needs, visions, and voices of frontline communities. We identify and prioritize community-based solutions that address the climate crisis, build community power, and advocate for those solutions using our superpower—telling stories about our intersecting issues that change hearts and minds. The California Green New Deal Coalition acts in solidarity with frontline communities all over the world.

This position is housed within the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), an environmental justice organization with deep roots in California’s Asian immigrant and refugee communities. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The State Organizer leads coalition organizing to build power and advance priority campaigns at the state level. The position requires an ability to organize and persuade people to take action towards our state campaign priorities. The organizing involves both working directly with coalition member organizations, as well as digital organizing to reach a broader mass base about our work. This position reports to the Coalition Manager and works closely with the coalition’s Steering Committee and other staff from coalition members. 

Depending on strategy and campaigns, the responsibilities could include:

• Organizing community and stakeholder listening sessions related to coalition campaigns
• Developing supporter mobilization strategies
• Participating with the national Green New Deal Network on strategy, coordinated events, and federal advocacy opportunities
• Leading rapid response and coalition comms support
• Developing digital toolkits and coordinating distribution to reach target audiences

This position is a full-time temporary position 40 hours / week with full benefits. This position reports to the California Green New Deal Steering Committee and is supervised by the Coalition Manager. The job may occasionally require work during irregular hours including on nights or weekends, and will require occasional travel within California. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING [45%]

• Work in coordination with other coalition members, and with support from the Coalition Manager, to develop and implement the plan for organizing coalition members and ally organizations to advance state priorities
• Mobilize allies for state campaign priorities and coordinate actions as needed (e.g., lobby days, letter sign-ons)
• Support educational event planning (e.g. webinars, town halls) and other community-building events  
• Contribute to developing organizing systems and methods for both members and allies 
• Track, orient, and meet with organizations that apply to join the coalition
• Deepen political consciousness and lead education for state priority campaigns with community leaders, coalition members, and organizational allies 
• Organize mass mobilization events to engage public supporters to support coalition priorities (e.g rallies, celebratory events, targeted protests)
• Data Management: Document & track coalition member participation and supporter lists
• Represent the coalition in meetings with other coalitions and partner organizations

COMMUNICATIONS [40%]

• Coordinate with the coalition’s consultants, and other communication specialists to implement the team’s long and short-term digital organizing and storytelling strategies
• Facilitate, coordinate, and help lead the coalition’s Storytelling Working Group
• Identify core digital organizing strategies and systems that align with the coalition’s goals
• Lead digital organizing efforts, including social media toolkits, petitions, and digital calls to action
• Participate in rapid response and coalition-wide comms support
• Work with grassroots coalition members to share member stories and connect them to communications work

COALITION DEVELOPMENT (15%)

• Strategy and Planning: Contribute to overall coalition coordination and planning processes, including strategic planning, yearly workplan and budgeting, annual Steering Committee retreat, and annual coalition Convening
• Organizational Culture: Contribute to the coalition culture of team-building, emotional intelligence, political education, and leadership development
• Fund Development: Engage in grassroots and/or foundation fundraising
• Communications: Act as a spokesperson and engage with communications narrative framework

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

• Successful track record of 3-5 years in organizing, policy, or campaigning experience 
• Highly organized, collaborative, self-motivated, problem-solver unafraid to take initiative
• Project management expertise
• Experience in digital organizing and communications through social media and other digital platforms
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to bring people together across sectors and organizations to advance shared goals
• Commitment to movement building

Desired:

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and principles of the California Green New Deal, with the goal of centering the voices of frontline communities and workers to develop community-driven solutions to address climate change, resilience, and building a clean and just economy
• Experience with campaign strategy or working on political campaigns
• Experience with digital organizing
• Skilled in conflict resolution, facilitation, or similar tools
• Familiarity with California political and legislative dynamics, including working knowledge of environmental justice, climate policy, organized labor, and the political landscape in California
• Direct knowledge and understanding of how to build grassroots and political power through base-building, civic engagement, transformative policy, and movement building

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Competitive salary range of $67,000 - $75,000/ year DOE. APEN offers a generous benefits package that includes the following:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangements)
• Vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Fully paid 2 week winter holiday
• 401k with 5% employer match
• Professional development
• Commuter benefits
• Sabbatical opportunity 
• APEN is also a family-friendly employer.

ACCESSIBILITY AND WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will require applicants to work on a computer daily for long periods of time, and collaborate with colleagues and coalition partners through Zoom, email, and other digital platforms. APEN will provide a computer and other equipment needed to fulfill basic job responsibilities.

 This position can be remote or in-person, but candidates must live in California. If in-person, this position will also follow APEN’s COVID safety policies and protocols regarding in-person work. Masks are required to be worn in APEN offices and indoor events, with the exception of eating and drinking. All employees also are required to be vaccinated as part of our safety policy or be subject to weekly testing. 

 APEN will continue to closely monitor local and state health officials guidance around COVID and any additional guidelines around safety for people to return to offices and gather in-person as needed. 

 This position may occasionally require work during irregular hours including on nights or weekends, and will require occasional travel within California.  

 This position will not require applicants to carry or move heavy equipment, regularly ascend or descend a ladder, or stand or sit for long periods of time. This position will not require working in hazardous or unusual conditions such as outdoors in inclement weather.  

APPLICATIONS

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and can be sent electronically to Zach Lou: zach@apen4ej.org. Please use “Coalition State Organizer” in the subject line. The email must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and qualifications
• Three references, including one supervisor 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

APEN is an equal opportunity employer. Women, individuals with disabilities, people of color, queer and gender non-conforming people are encouraged to apply.