Overview
SUMMARY:
Food & Water Watch is hiring a Maryland Organizer that will report to the Southern Region Director and will work with other national organizing staff, regional field staff, and policy/research staff to support FWW’s work fighting for real renewable energy and to stop factory farms in Maryland.
The Maryland Organizer will have several responsibilities: build support for action to address the negative impacts of factory farms on our climate, air and water, and communities; build support for 100% clean renewables and help end the state’s reliance on false dirty energy sources, like biogas and trash incineration; and build out the organization’s volunteer network to support state and federal work to help achieve the organization’s food and climate goals.
This is a one-year grant funded position. As such, the position is contingent upon continued funding from the grantor for the term of employment. Should the grantor fail to fund this position or rescind its sponsorship during the term of employment, Food & Water Watch may eliminate the position. This is a union bargaining unit position.
Location: the position is approved for remote work from Metro Washington, DC region
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Build a strong base of organizations and individuals in support of our state legislation to strengthen Maryland’s renewable energy program, with a particular emphasis on ending policies that promote more factory farms and ensuring a just transition to 100% real renewable energy.
· Work with a team to develop strategic campaign plans including long- and short-term goals, strategies and tactics.
· Work closely with volunteer and partner organizations to develop and implement joint strategies
· Participate in coalitions on campaign issues and implement grassroots organizing and public education campaigns.
· Speak at public events, forums, and other venues, and serves as a representative of Food & Water Watch/Action to the public and the media.
· Build grassroots volunteer team through engagement, recruitment, and training of Food & Water Volunteer Network program across the region.
· Maintain familiarity with a diverse set of issues, research products, and FWW’s suite of digital organizing tools, and respond to information and support requests from activists, coalition members, and the media.
· Develop educational materials such as factsheets, action alerts, web site content and newsletter articles on campaign issues.
· Participate in membership recruitment and fundraising for Food & Water Watch/Action.
· Support Our Culture of Philanthropy: Demonstrate an understanding of the essential role of our members and supporters, and consistently serve as an ambassador for FWW/FWA and our work. Participate in or attend events and other activities as appropriate that are organized for our supporters and donors. Be cognizant of fundraising opportunities and share contacts and information that will help build and sustain FWW/FWA.
· Carry out other projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Essential Qualifications
· At least one (1) year of full-time experience organizing, and a clear demonstration of ability to develop effective organizing strategies.
· An understanding of and commitment to climate and environmental justice.
· Experience working effectively with colleagues, volunteers, and organizational allies with a wide range of goals, perspectives, and backgrounds.
· Ability to gather and analyze information skillfully, and to identify and navigate challenges in a timely manner.
· Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
· Strong organizational skills, and an ability to balance short-term priorities with long-term goals and strategies.
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience using digital organizing and outreach tools, including but not limited to ThruText, Hubdialer, Action Network, or Mobilize.
· Experience recruiting and managing volunteers remotely.
· Experience organizing successful non-violent direct actions or other advocacy events, especially in a role with multiple responsibilities, including recruitment, logistics, volunteer management, and communications.
· Experience drafting press materials, talking to reporters, and giving interviews.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use their hands.
· Some local, regional and national travel will be required, pending public health restrictions.
· An individual should be able to work in a computerized environment and have adequate knowledge of word processing, email, internet and spreadsheet software.
· The work environment is typical of an office setting.
· Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
Food & Water Watch (FWW) is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science-based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants, and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, prospective new staff members are required to provide proof of vaccination or request a waiver as a condition of their offer of employment.
COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Interpersonal Skills: Maintains confidentiality; remains open to others’ ideas; exhibits willingness to try new ways of doing things.
Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification.
Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and has excellent grammar and proofreading skills; presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.
Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans; meets deadlines and adheres to specific time lines; tracks multiple processes to meet goals for timeliness.
Quality control: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and looks for ways to improve and promote quality of own work; promotes and upholds office policies and procedures.
Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; handles several projects concurrently; is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Judgment: Displays willingness to make timely decisions; exhibits high-level, sound and accurate judgment.
Safety and security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.
Teamwork: Contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed; provides excellent internal and external customer service.
Diversity: Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.
Ethics: Treats people with respect and dignity; works with integrity and ethically upholds
FWW/FWA’s mission and values.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use his/her hands. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment described below is representative of what an employee may encounter while performing the duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment is that which is typical of an office setting.
BENEFITS
· 100% employer-paid health care, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance.
· Three weeks paid vacation to start and three personal days.
· Food & Water Watch offices are closed for all federal holidays and an extra week at the end of December.
· Paid sick days.
· Paid family and medical leave.
· 403(b) retirement plan with annual employer contribution after the first year on staff.
· Professional development opportunities on an ongoing basis.
Please include your resume, cover letter and three professional references to be considered.
We will review your application and if we feel that your knowledge, skills and abilities are potentially a good match for our organization, we will be in contact with you. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Food & Water Watch strives for a diverse work environment and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.