Conservation Field Organizer

Environment America is hiring a Field Organizer to join our campaign to protect our most valuable mature and old-growth forests from logging on U.S. federal lands.

Environment America is a national network of 30 state environmental groups with one mission — to change our country and our world to be a greener, healthier place. With more than 2 million members and supporters spread across all 50 states, our staff have been working for nearly four decades to promote national, state and local policies that put the earth first. For example, we’ve won policies that have resulted in more solar and wind power in 25 states, passage of the 2020 Great America Outdoors Act, America’s most sweeping conservation law in decades, and better protections for our rivers, streams, lakes and drinking water. We run campaigns that not only raise awareness but win results on the national stage, in states and cities, on the ballot and in the courtroom.  

Our forest protection work

Mature and old-growth forests are critical for habitat. The longer a forest is stable, the more additional species can grow and thrive there. And larger trees absorb more carbon, making them an important part of solving global warming.

Road building and industrial logging activity disrupts and destroys the habitats of countless species, including endangered species like California condors and Florida panthers. It also pollutes drinking water sources and encroaches on prime recreational areas for climbers, hikers, and backcountry skiers.

The Field Organizer will take the lead on our campaign to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal land in the United States working closely with our coalition to help convince the Biden administration to establish durable protections for these forests.

We take a principled, pragmatic approach in our work. We connect big ideas to concrete policy changes that improve the quality of our environment and people’s lives. We’re looking for advocates and organizers (and aspiring advocates and organizers) who want to work for a group that’s laser-focused on the environment, who want to make a difference, not just make a statement, and who want to work with anybody — Republican, Democrat or other — to deliver action and results. If our mission and strategy excites you and you have the passion and drive to make a difference, this job could be for you.

Representative Responsibilities

• Represent Environment America in coalitions focused on protecting forests in the United States. 
• Demonstrate grassroots support for protecting our forests by organizing call-in days, gathering petitions and working with volunteers to generate letters to the editor.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Lobby elected officials and corporate decision-makers: Make a convincing case to federal decision-makers who are undecided. When a critical decision is happening about whether or not to protect forests, work to demonstrate the support you’ve been building on the ground to help line up the votes needed to win.
• Research and write reports: Catalog and analyze data relevant to the issue and our policy proposals to help influence public debate and earn media attention for our cause.
• Organize events: Work with coalition partners to organize webinars, rallies, town halls and lobby days to educate the public about threats to forests and to demonstrate public support for policies that leave trees standing.
• Recruit new people to your team: Help build your team by recruiting volunteers, interns and full-time staff.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have 2-4 years of relevant experience and be:

• An experienced communicator with excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Creative, effective at solving complex problems, and a strategic thinker.
• A good people-person and listener with a track record of successful access-building.
• Well-organized and able to track multiple campaign projects and organizational priorities such as fundraising and recruitment.
• Two or more years of experience in grassroots organizing, volunteer management, coalition-building, campaign politics and/or advocacy.
• A team player, with the passion and grit to build a movement and do what it takes to get the work done.

Compensation & Benefits

The target starting compensation for this position is $32,000-$40,000 in the first year. Candidates on the low end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. Environment America offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package may include medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents, needs-based student loan assistance, 401(k) plan with employer match, commuter benefit program, paid time off, parental leave and long-term disability insurance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Things To Know When You Apply

Why work with Environment America? Check out 10 reasons: https://environmentamerica.org/why-work-with-us/

Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://environmentamerica.org/core-values  for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Environment America is an equal opportunity employer. 

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boostered. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.