Regional Organizer – Ohio

The Climate Reality Project is a nonprofit organization founded by former US Vice President Al Gore. Our mission is to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every sector of society.

At The Climate Reality Project, we come to work every day to help solve the climate crisis. We do it by working from the ground up, empowering people and communities worldwide to fight for their future and together drive a just transition to clean energy.

We are committed to building a more just and equitable world, one where all voices are heard and respected regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical ability. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other historically marginalized communities. We encourage applicants to read our diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice statement on our website.

Position Summary

The Regional Organizer is responsible for supporting the Climate Reality’s petrochemical opposition campaign in the Ohio River Valley (PA/OH/WV) with a specific focus on building relationships with community members and opposing new petrochemical development in Ohio. Climate Reality’s existing campaign covers the entire system of petrochemicals from fracking to plastics as well as the resulting toxic pollution. This role will work closely with two organizers in Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia.

This position engages local coalition partners, grassroots organizations, community leaders, national coalitions, and Climate Reality chapters throughout the region. Support includes, but is not limited to, attending and supporting community meetings, building relationships with on-the-ground partners to uplift their work within Climate Reality, creating content and resources for chapters and coalition partners, providing training and education for chapter members and community partners, speaking at public events about petrochemicals, and generally acting as a personal point of contact for partner organizations and our most engaged volunteers. Additionally, this position will be responsible for tracking campaigns efforts, planning and executing local events, and serving as organization’s on-the-ground contact for coalition and community efforts. This will be an exempt, remote position, with the organizer residing in Ohio, preferably the eastern side of the state. Organizer must have the ability to travel regionally.

Currently reporting to the Regional Campaign Manager – Petrochemicals & Pollution (Appalachia), the Regional Organizer - Ohio has no direct reports.

The salary for the role is $55,000/year. This is a term-limited, grant funded position through June 30^th, 2024.

This position is within a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment will be subject to a collective bargaining agreement between Climate Reality and the union.

Duties and Responsibilities

General

Identify and engage in opposition efforts to new petrochemical development projects in the state – including, but not limited to, pyrolysis facilities, natural gas storage facilities, ethane cracker plants, and pipelines
Create and maintain relationships with grassroots organizations, communities, and individuals in the region as well as national coalition members to support diverse and meaningful campaigns and opportunities
Support chapters and trained leaders in the region, as well as larger coalition movements through conducting regular one-on-one calls and in-person meetings, facilitating campaign working group calls, drafting resources, scripts, and campaign materials, creating and implement campaign plans

Facilitate in-person and/or virtual events, trainings, and actions
Track progress of campaign efforts and chapter development in coordination with the engagement team to report out on goals reached
Train Climate Reality Leaders and community members on campaigns and organizing skills and acting as a skills trainer for in-person and virtual training events
Integrate multi-tiered tactics stemming from the hyper local level to state actions and opportunities to uplift and support the needs of larger movement
Support and contribute to the ongoing improvement of our operations and enrichment of our culture, for example by serving on ad hoc or ongoing work groups, assisting with the onboarding and training of colleagues, and participating in efforts to assess, refine, and strengthen our culture and practices

Other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Abilities

Strong community connections and a knowledge of the culture, values, and lifestyles of the living in the region
Experience with federal, state, and/or local legislative advocacy helpful
Attention to detail and adherence to deadlines
Capable of balancing multiple priorities effectively
Demonstrable strategic thinker and problem-solving acumen
Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and committed to excellence
Capable of working well with a variety of personalities and leadership styles
Personal commitment to Climate Reality’s mission and demonstrated knowledge of climate and environmental issues
Strong organizational, written, and verbal communications skills
Experience and awareness of cultural diversity, ability to work effectively with a diverse group of organizations and volunteers
A dedication to solving the climate crisis
Access to a car with a valid and active driver’s license and insurance, as the job requires regional travel
Ability to work from home with a remote manager and team
Regular and reliable internet access
Proficiency with Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Proficiency with a data management software preferred
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer required

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree—or equivalent experience
Has between 0-2 years of relevant experience
Working knowledge of organizing communities, leading climate change campaigns, and cultural diversity
Proven track record with coalition building, political organizing, grassroots, or field campaign organizing

Organizational Competencies

The Climate Reality Project has adopted a competency-based approach to job definition, hiring, performance assessment, and professional development. The following are our seven organization-wide competencies and examples of how they manifest for this role.

1. Teamwork and Collaboration: Builds and sustains productive working relationships with colleagues; actively listens to others and seeks to understand diverse perspectives; follows through on commitments.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: Demonstrates the ability to adapt to changing priorities and circumstances; takes initiative to solve problems, improve processes, and/or achieve outcomes; learns quickly when faced with new situations or systems.
3. Written and Verbal Communication: Written communication is clear and concise; verbal communication is intentional and straightforward; provides timely and helpful information across the organization as needed; gives and receives constructive feedback in a thoughtful manner.
4. Time and Project Management: Possesses a strong work ethic i.e., a sense of ownership over tasks, commitment to following things through, and a willingness to do what it takes to get the job done; manages multiple competing priorities, tasks, and projects effectively, appropriately seeking help from others when needed.
5. Professional Development: Shows commitment and acts to continuously improve; connects with advocates, experts, mentors, and resources, and actively seeks new ways to grow and be challenged through internal and external training opportunities; accepts assignments that broaden capabilities.
6. Climate Justice: Works to understand and achieve anti-racist principles to disrupt the systems of white supremacy, privilege, classism, sexism, and racism; seeks to understand how systemic racism and environmental injustice impact individuals and frontline and fenceline communities; works to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment in Climate Reality spaces (workplace, events, trainings, and other convenings).
7. Climate Reality Mission and Focus: Is passionate about Climate Reality's role and mission and can act as a Climate Reality ambassador to a diverse set of audiences.

Role-Specific Competencies

In addition to organization-wide competencies, each role has its own competencies. Below are examples of how each competency manifests in this role.

Cultural Awareness: Operates with an awareness of cultural diversity, with a specific lens on equity and justice; can work effectively with diverse groups, such as organizations, coalitions, and volunteers; works with communities to cultivate issue knowledge and advocacy.
Technology and Data Systems: Manages internal electronic document storage effectively, including for the purposes of supporting program metrics and analysis; uses Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and CRM software proficiently.
Interpersonal Skills: Is communicative, persuasive, patient, conscientious, and polite to Climate Reality colleagues and the general public over email, phone, and in person; works with internal staff to execute large-scale events for climate leaders; collaborates with internal staff and external agencies and consultants.
Leadership and Management: Works across departments or teams to foster organizational health and relationship-building.

HOW TO APPLY

Send a resume and cover letter to: [email protected] and put “Regional Organizer - OH” in the subject line.

BENEFITS

Excellent benefits, including employer paid 100% employee medical, life, dental, vision. 401K, Paid Parental Leave and other fringe benefits such as wellness days, vacation and sick time are all included.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Climate Reality, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Climate Reality Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities and termination.