Outdoors For All Organizer

Context: Builds public support to accomplish the goals of the Pennsylvania Chapter and the Outdoors For All campaign, which is aimed at reducing barriers to outdoor access, ensuring all people have opportunities to explore and enjoy nature, and empowering a new generation of leaders to protect the environment. Recruits and trains volunteer leaders, develops relationships with the community, other organizations, and officials that can influence change. Increases the number of volunteer supporters that lead outings and participate in achieving the campaign objectives.

Scope: The Organizer is responsible for recruiting, engaging, and motivating advocates, outings leaders, and large numbers of new people to take repeated action that furthers Sierra Club’s Outdoors For All campaign and other organizational priorities in the Greater Philadelphia region. Identifies and builds alliances with other organizations which can influence decision-makers. Regularly works outside of the office and without direct supervision to communicate with officials, the media and the public. Travels to relevant communities and locations to implement campaign plans.

Job Activities:

1. Works with the Pennsylvania Chapter, national campaign staff, Philadelphia Inspiring Connections Outdoors, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Group to devise and recommend recruitment and organizing plans and strategy for the Outdoors For All campaign in the Greater Philadelphia region.
2. Identifies, recruits, and organizes volunteers and outings leaders to remove barriers to the outdoors, help BIPOC communities, youth, veterans, and other key constituencies connect to the outdoors, pursue public lands and parks policies that increase outdoors access for all Pennsylvanians.
3. Engages people and develops volunteer leadership in social and environmental advocacy to achieve safe and livable communities.
4. Develops and implements a variety of engagement strategies including on-line and face-to-face, including leading outings and outdoors programs, to develop networks to support Sierra Club goals.
5. Maintains and develops new partnerships with partner organizations that serve and reflect youth, veterans, and BIPOC communities.
6. Builds a public narrative using new and traditional media and community outreach events to generate public support for outdoor equity initiatives.
7. Identifies and is responsible for developing strong relationships with key people of influence including community leaders and public officials to influence positive campaign or program outcomes.
8. Identifies and develops volunteers who will take work as part of a team and take on the role of team leaders to build our grassroots power and network. Helps those leaders succeed by training and coaching them on how to strategize, organize, inspire and motivate. Supports volunteers in developing strong racial justice and equity competencies.
9. Works with staff and volunteers to monitor impact of campaign efforts, evaluate strategy and tactics, and assist with reporting and documentation to ensure a data-informed, values-driven approach.
10. Performs administrative and clerical duties as assigned by the supervisor.
11. Performs miscellaneous duties as directed.

Seasonal Activities: Heavier seasonal workloads may occur as a result of project deadlines, staff absences and vacancies, and during peak activity periods. Frequent weekend and/or evening work required.

Knowledge & Skills:

• 1 year of experience working with volunteers, leading programs in the outdoors, and planning grassroots advocacy campaigns.
• Basic knowledge of issues in the outdoors movement regarding racial justice, indigenous rights, and equity, as well an understanding of systems of oppression
• Excellent writing and editing skills. Demonstrated skill in writing press releases and public communications.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to clearly articulate ideas and easily connect with volunteer leaders, partners, officials, and members of the public.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in action-oriented office.
• Ability to work independently, cooperatively and effectively with public, staff and volunteers. Strong ability to network, build trust, and build working relationships.
• Able to travel as needed but a personal vehicle is not required. Expenses related to travel such as driving and transit are reimbursed. Travel would mostly be in the Greater Philadelphia area but occasionally required elsewhere.
• Proficient computer skills including social media word processing, and basic spreadsheet software.

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 6 non-exempt, represented position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

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 Human Resources 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 diversity.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet

The Outdoors For All Organizer will work with volunteers and staff of the Sierra Club to reduce barriers to outdoor access, ensure all people have opportunities to explore and enjoy nature, and empower a new generation of leaders to protect the environment. This position is perfect for applicants with experience working with diverse groups in the outdoors, including BIPOC people, youth, and veterans.

Women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to apply. A college degree is not required.

This position will be based in Philadelphia and will focus on outdoors programming and related advocacy in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Note: The Sierra Club has closed all national, chapter and shared offices, with rare exceptions for urgent business continuity needs, through at least July 4th, 2021. Travel, in-person meetings, public events, and outings are suspended through at least July 4, 2021 as well. This position will be required to work from home for the time being and accommodations will be provided to assist staff in maintaining a beneficial work-from-home arrangement.

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