Climate Resilience Organizer

Type of Role: Full-time: Hybrid remote/in-person role based in Tempe, Arizona

Department: Climate Justice

Reports to: Climate Justice Director

The Climate Resilience Organizer is responsible for focusing on ways to build a more resilient and sustainable community through a climate and eco friendly lens, specifically for the cities and counties throughout the state of Arizona. This includes community organizing and engagement, research on the connection between climate and racial injustice, event and program planning, as well as general responsibilities pursuing AZ AANHPI for Equity/AZ AANHPI Advocates mission. This position is responsible for assisting in relationship building and partnering between other departments at AZ AANHPI for Equity/AZ AANHPI Advocates, and other likeminded grassroots organizations, elected officials, and community.

Our Org Mission and Background

AZ AANHPI for Equity 501(c3) is a statewide organization striving for equity and justice by building power through direct community organizing, increasing civic engagement, and developing young leaders. We envision an Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community that is working together to shape its future as a part of the broader racial justice movement and advance our community towards a common purpose of well-being for all.

In 2019, our organization was created by solidarity work amongst a coalition of AANHPI organizations and leaders that came together to take on the extensive work of Census 2020. From our beginnings to now, our collaborative work reflects our dedication to ensure all AANHPI communities are fought for and represented accurately in the most important issues that affect us today - guaranteeing that we always have a voice at the table. By pioneering the growth and strength of AANHPI political power, we were then able to establish the first and only AANHPI-led political c(4) organization in Arizona during a time of epidemic anti-Asian hate - specifically in a state that also witnessed the first murder of someone of AAPI descent immediately after the events of 9/11 in Mesa. As a first of its kind, we are able to amplify the faces of those we represent at a scale that has no boundaries.

As the fastest growing demographic in the state of Arizona and the United States, it is imperative accurate and holistic representation is advocated for and our greatest pride is the very fact we are pioneering and succeeding this movement. Moving forward, our commitment to intersectional organizing and mobilization has now expanded into a multi-issue organization that allows us to be a central resource hub and advocate that is adaptable to any situations affecting our communities.

AZ AANHPI Advocates 501(c4) is our sister organization. Our mission is to empower and engage the Arizona AANHPI community, encourage civic engagement and educate the community on relevant public policies to facilitate the creation of an equitable society and inclusive democracy.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with other Program Coordinators (Youth, Membership, Advocacy, Policy, etc.) outside of the Climate Team to build out cohesive and cross-collaborative programming
• Maintain Environmental Justice Workshop series: by creating and leading workshops focused on various topics ranging from; climate migration, utilities and rate increases, water rights, etc, while tying all topics to climate change and the impact it has on our communities
• Program and educational support for interns, community members, elected officials, etc.
• Assist in creating materials for townhalls and events, basic advocacy (support to climate advocacy: C3 & C4)
• Support climate related programing/events/tabling, volunteer and intern support or engagement.
• Identify and facilitate skills-trainings and political education workshops for base members to build political consciousness, capacity, and leadership (i.e. facilitate meetings and conduct one on ones).
• Conduct research on climate-related issues and maintain up to date with climate related happenings, especially those relevant to our coalition interests.
• Create digital materials that advocate for climate justice work such as social media graphics and email templates.
• Attend coalition meetings to strengthen partner relationships and to gather information needed to educate our base on.
• Conduct issue surfacing surveys to identify main needs and issues affecting base members and their communities
• Organize with base members to address these needs and issues through collective action
• Develop and strengthen strategic alliances and intentional relationships with community partners and other local organizations through outreach and events
• Work with base members to develop culturally responsive, multilingual political education content for broader AANHPI/BIPOC communities - can include curricula, brochures, memos, infographics, zines, podcasts, Facebook live streams, etc.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• 1+ year of experience assisting programs and/or community organizing for a values-led non-profit organization or similar/equivalent experience related to climate/environmental justice and/or civic engagement
• Experience with the following is helpful but not required:
  • Working in AANHPI or immigrant communities;
  • Knowledge of or experience in working for a grassroots organization or comparable organizations with an organizing focus preferred
  • Experience in climate, environmental, and/or civic engagement awareness and research and specifically to grassroots, community-based work
  • Able to work in fast changing, rapid, or unexpected situations
  • Direct experience organizing teams, clubs, and achieving goals and deadlines with little supervision (event and program development or experience)
  • Leading trainings on community organizing principles or skills;
  • Issue area expertise around the intersection of criminalization and immigration; climate; AANHPI representation and cross-racial solidarity
  • Intergenerational organizing experience;
  • Multi-entity organizing experience (e.g. 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and/or PAC);
  • Strong organizing, networking, organizational, and creative thinking skills
  • Bilingual in English and an Asian/Pacific Islander language or Spanish
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals who are directly impacted by oppression.
• Knowledge, understanding, and passion for social justice and human rights for all.
• Approach the work with an intersectional lens that uplifts our community members who are most marginalized by white supremacist capitalism.
• Travel is required within Arizona and out of state as needed for in-person programming.
• Computer proficiency and willingness to use shared team software for project management, file sharing, internal communication, etc.
• Be open to a background check as part of the hiring process.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to personal growth and leadership development
• Genuine enthusiasm in organizing, networking, and liberatory change
• Must be willing to participate in evening and weekend meetings/events

How to Apply: Attach a resume and cover letter to application, we will reach out to you to schedule interviews.

• COVID vaccination

required. Exemption requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. **

We value our staff’s health greatly, therefore we kindly ask that everyone is vaccinated as some of our staff have compromised immune systems. Exemption requests can be made with proper documentation provided upon hiring.

Our organizational values include equity, which we define as being driven by true fairness for all people, especially people who have been impacted by and historically marginalized by systems of oppression, including white supremacy. Our team is a diverse group of individuals including people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, gender nonconforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and more. We strongly encourage LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and gender nonconforming people to apply.