Southwest Field Organizer

Southwest Field Organizer

Location: Durango, CO

Deadline for submission: Feb 28, 2019

Work Schedule: Non-exempt, Full-time

Conservation Colorado is seeking a Field Organizer based in Durango, Colorado who will work primarily on public lands, climate, and water issues, building a cohort of activists and local leaders who engage key decision makers, influence policy and advocate for conservation practices.

About Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado works to protect Colorado's environment and quality of life by mobilizing people and electing conservation-minded policy makers. We work closely with policy leaders, citizen activists, businesses and other allies, and have built a reputation as one of the leading conservation advocacy organizations in the region. This coming year we will be tackling everything from nationally leading policy to address climate change, ensuring our state has enough water for future generations, increasing the state's use of renewable energy, and defending our public lands from attacks by the Trump administration.

Conservation Colorado's work to protect and advocate for the environment reflects the organization's commitment to racial, social, and environmental justice. Engaging communities of color among other key constituencies for the environment is an organizational priority. Within the organization, we aim to create a workplace culture, policies, and practices that demonstrate how we value equity and inclusion.

What You'll Do:

Our work in the Durango area to elect conservation champions, build strong relationships with outdoor business, and create citizen activists has been, and continues to be, critical to our ability to build power and hold decision makers accountable and pass strong policies to protect our land, air, water, and communities. You will report to the West Slope Field Manager and be primarily responsible for building relationships with and mobilizing citizens and leaders in the Southwestern region of Colorado. Your main responsibilities will include:

1. Community Engagement

— Turn citizens into activists and promote pro-conservation policies through one-on-one engagement.

— Organize, host, speak at & attend community events to educate and provide community members with opportunities to take action.

— Seek out and engage people who are disproportionately impacted by anti-conservation policies, such as low-income individuals and people of color.

2. Grasstops Relationship Development

— Act as the Conservation Colorado representative for the Southwest region's media.

— Turn community leaders into champions & spokespeople on our issues.

— Represent Conservation Colorado in regional coalition discussions.

— Develop relationships with and engage regional local elected officials, business owners, thought leaders, and partners on conservation issues.

3. Fundraising

— Cultivate a variety of community donors including small and large donors, monthly giving donors, and develop members who fundraise for the organization

— Garner financial and in-kind support from regional businesses.

Qualifications

To be successful in this job, you will demonstrate the independence, smarts, and results-focused work that will work well with our team. More specifically, you will have or be most or all of the following:

— An independent worker: This position requires you be self-directed and proactive about owning and following through with responsibilities and be able to thrive as a remote employee without constant in-person management.

— Creative & critical thinking: Have the ability to look at problems and figure out solutions that advance the strategic goals of the organization.

— A strong verbal and written communicator: public speaking, talking with the media, one-on-one interactions with community leaders and activists, as well as writing fact sheets and other materials are all parts of the work.

— A passion for organizing: engaging the community in our work is at the core of what we do and a commitment to organizing people to make positive political change is critical in this work.

— Share our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.

— Authentic relationship builder: The ability to build the trust & respect necessary to develop high-level relationships with business, political leaders, and/or progressive community partners, and community members.

— Experience organizing events, managing volunteers, and implementing advocacy projects is a plus but if you have the desire to dive in and make a difference we want to talk to you.

Spanish/English bilingual is a skill we value, but it is not a requirement. The position requires some evening and weekend hours.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation depends on experience and is highly competitive. We provide high-quality, zero-deductible health insurance and a strong benefits package that includes a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with match, up to 28 days of paid time off & holidays as well as 5 sick days in your first year, and parental leave and a sabbatical program. This job offers an opportunity to engage people to find solutions to some of the most important environmental issues in Colorado and work with a great team that is committed to a better, more equitable future. It will be challenging, inspiring, and sometimes frustrating, but you'll be making a big difference.

We are committed to building a more diverse and inclusive organization and conservation movement to fully represent and engage all Coloradans and to build as powerful a movement as we can. Recruiting staff that better reflects Colorado is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, race, ethnicity, geographies, political affiliation, and all other identities represented in Colorado or protected by law.

To Apply:

If this job truly speaks to you -

1. Please fill out this short questionnaire (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV0arqToDKgIhXuU2oKyY-fc7v760oqmxdWAVe1EyHT9g/viewform)

2. Send a cover letter and resume by Feb 28, 2019 addressed to Sarah McCarthy with the subject line "Southwest Field Organizer" to jobs@conservationco.org.

No phone calls please.