Chapter Community Organizer

Job Title: Chapter Community Organizer (Part-time)

Department: South Dakota Chapter

Location: Remote in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Reports To: Deputy Regional Field Director

Supervises: N/A

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The South Dakota Chapter Community Organizer works with other staff and volunteers to support grassroots power-building through grassroots organizing, advocacy, and education. The Community Organizer collaborates with staff, volunteer leaders, and coalition partners to set strategic priorities and lead on the grassroots organizing aspects of chapter priorities. The Community Organizer will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing strategic grassroots engagement, education, and mobilization in alignment with the strategic priorities in the state. They will communicate priorities and benchmarks, provide leadership, and represent the Sierra Club to media, community leaders, coalitions, allies, and the public.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Develops strong Sierra Club volunteer teams and committees and presence with a focus in the Sioux Falls area. Coordinates the identification, recruitment, and organizing of volunteers. Identifies and develops volunteers who work as part of a team and take on the role of team leaders to build our grassroots power and networks. Helps those leaders succeed by training and coaching them how to strategize, organize, inspire, and motivate.
2. Collaborates in developing organizing strategies. Develops and implements a variety of engagement strategies to support power building. Coordinates and measures success of activities with manager and other stakeholders to ensure progress toward chapter priorities and goals.
3. Maintains and develops new partnerships with affinity groups who share many common goals and values. Develops positive working relationships with existing coalitions and partner organizations. Engages people and develops volunteer leadership in both social and environmental advocacy activities that will create strong environmental communities and build power at the community level. Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s equity initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate.
4. Represents Sierra Club to the public and in the media, including working with Sierra Club communications staff to develop public education and media strategy. Coordinates preparation of special reports and other publications and alerts.
5. Supports Chapter communications. Contributes writing and/or editing to fundraising appeal letters and helps coordinate donor acknowledgements. Works with Chapter leaders to publish and manage the Chapter’s website. Helps produce a digital and/or print newsletter.
6. Able to travel as needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Familiarity with South Dakota culture, history and political landscape. Understanding of issues that are relevant and important to South Dakotans, and how these issues affect communities across the state including the 9 Native nations that have called this land home since time immemorial.
• Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers either professionally or as a volunteer leader. You are familiar with advocacy work and have an understanding of how to use public mobilization tactics to influence decision-makers.
• Ability to work closely in small groups with colleagues, volunteers, community members, and representatives from other organizations. You have demonstrated the ability to work with others, especially across different identities and roles.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Able to produce compelling written and digital materials: aims for accuracy and attention to detail. Can learn, internalize, and incorporate our “voice” across platforms.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and reach consensus on shared projects. Excellent judgment and transparency on setting expectations on finished projects. Experience setting deadlines and meeting them. Ability to help achieve consensus within teams on project roles and outcomes.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression, examine any relationship to privilege and power you may have, and shift your behaviors as appropriate. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth and carry a constructive approach to your work.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Previous experience in an organizing or campaign role.
• Ability to welcome, train and retain volunteers to support chapter functions.
• Familiarity with current environmental and social justice issues and dynamics in South Dakota, including public land management, wildlife, and energy.
• Highly organized and attentive to detail. You follow up on details, track small pieces of information through a system, and maintain organized records for followup and verification.
• Track record of developing just relationships. Demonstrated track record of developing relationships across all levels and identities. Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence and cultivates trusting and collaborative relationships with individuals and groups.

The salary for this position is $34,645, annually.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category 5, non-exempt, represented position.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.