Job Title: Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Community Organizer
Department: Michigan Chapter
Reports To: Chapter Director
Context: Works with organizing staff and partners to build local public support to accomplish Green Stormwater Infrastructure initiatives including rain garden installations and rain barrels. Advance Rain Gardens to the Rescue program goals and strengthen relationships with volunteer supporters that participate in the program and increase turnout for events. Participates in environmental community outreach activities, assists in recruiting and training volunteer leaders, and develops relationships with local community leaders.
Scope: The Rain Gardens Community Organizer assists in educational efforts of area residents regarding rain gardens and green infrastructure in Detroit. Works closely with the appropriate organizing staff and Sierra Club leaders to mobilize members of the local community, recruit environmental supporters to participate in community outreach teams, train community residents to become community outreach team leaders and implement hands-on rain garden installation.
Job Activities:
- Educates community leaders and residents about the importance and need for green infrastructure including rain gardens in Detroit as part of Sierra Club’s Great Lakes, Great Communities program.
- Mobilizes community members to become involved in one-on-one education in the local community about green infrastructure.
- Assists the appropriate field organizing staff and volunteer leaders with planning and implementation of the campaign and other programs as assigned, including attending community meetings, making arrangements for green infrastructure tours, community forums, educational workshops and other events, and inputting information into Chapter’s database.
- Help facilitate the installation of multiple rain gardens, rain barrels and disconnecting and extending downspouts. These tasks involve the use of manual gardening tools/equipment, hack saws and drills.
- Helps promote the program and activities through social media including Facebook and assists in writing press releases and reaching out to conventional media as needed.
- Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s diversity initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate.
- Provides program support as needed, including handling phone inquiries, administrative support such as faxing and mailings, volunteer supervision and event planning and registrations.
- Performs administrative and clerical duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Performs other duties as directed.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Experience with at least one community organizing or mobilizing project.
- Able to travel as needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.
- Ability to interact positively with community residents, volunteers, staff and the public.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated interest in the environment or related public interest issues.
- Ability to clearly explain complex issues and effectively communicate them to community residents.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Familiarity with the use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms for advocacy is ideal.
- Some experience working with traditional media, including writing press releases, making calls to news outlets, is preferred.
- Word processing/knowledge of computers.
- Some physical lifting is required. Outdoor work my involve walking on uneven ground, use of manual gardening equipment to do outdoor labor in a cultivated garden setting.
- This position is primarily an office position with occasional outdoor work. Outdoor work occurs in all seasons and weather conditions