Context: Plans and implements Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign strategies and activities to expand universal access to the outdoors for children and youth, and to inspire young people to protect our environment. Oversees all aspects of the national Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), a national DC-based strategic partnership of 100 non-profits and businesses, housed with the Sierra Club, collectively advocating to expand equitable access to the outdoors for children, youth, and families. Coordinates with Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign initiative which seeks to advance a just, equitable, and inclusive movement that ensures access the outdoor for all people. Actively engages Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All field campaigns, chapters, groups, and volunteers in campaigns related to getting youth outdoors, including, but not limited to, OAK activities.
Scope: The Senior Campaign Representative is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids and related projects within the Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign. Under the direction of the Director, Sierra Club Outdoors develops funding proposals, campaign strategies, priorities, benchmarks, and reports. Represents the Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, and the public. The campaign includes several programmatic areas of work that advance equitable access to nature, and expand opportunities for youth and veterans to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. Coordinates regularly with campaign and programs advancing youth and family nature opportunities nationally and on the ground – current projects in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia. Has project development and implementation responsibility, and actively manages relationships with organizations, individuals, staff, and volunteers to advance all aspects of OAK and related youth projects.
Has overall responsibility for the operation of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, and the advancement of the alliance’s priority goals. Coordinates all OAK conference calls, meetings, major events and communications, supports the development of state and local collaborative efforts, engages OAK members in strategy development and project implementation, and brings on new members from key sectors. Works closely with Sierra Club’s communications and digital strategies teams to advance OAK policy and programmatic objectives.
- Plans and carries out all aspects of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) including but not limited to steering committee, membership, action team and committee meetings. Develops a strategic campaign plan, goals, and objectives. Applies Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (Equity) and anti-oppression values to all initiative activities. Ensures campaign strategies and outcomes demonstrate a commitment to justice and equity. Ensures meaningful participation of OAK members and works with individual members to identify areas to deepen engagement to achieve OAK’s goals. Serves as the primary point of contact for OAK members and general inquiries.
- Responsible for working with the Director and OAK’s leadership to steward current and cultivate new donors and funders, draft proposals and reports for the Sierra Club Foundation and funders/donors in a timely fashion.
- Models best practices to foster an inclusive environment, striving to ensure a variety of perspectives, individuals, and organizations are welcomed and valued in OAK meetings and activities, particularly at the leadership level.
- Represents the Sierra Club to the general public, government agencies and to strategic allies. Develops transformational partnerships with OAK members and potential members, and maintains professional relationships with non-profits, businesses, government agencies, and congressional staff. Reaches out to new organizations to help increase OAK’s membership with an emphasis on expanding representation of social and environmental justice organizations. Collaborates with Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors team to identify and support engagement from military and veteran serving organizations.
- Leads planning and implementation of OAK’s major events, meetings, and projects in collaboration with member organizations.
- Drafts outreach and communication materials for OAK. Drafts OAK’s newsletter, maintains and updates OAK’s website (Wordpress) and manages OAK’s social media platforms.
- Represents Sierra Club and the Outdoors Alliance for Kids to decision-makers, the media, the general public and other organizations.
- Coordinates with Sierra Club campaigns, programs, and capacities to leverage the Sierra Club to advance OAK’s goals, actively engaging key internal stakeholders where appropriate.
- Creates opportunities and supports engagement of Sierra Club chapters, groups, and volunteers in advancing advocacy and programmatic efforts to connect children and youth with the outdoors; establishing alignment between Sierra Club’s advocacy and programmatic work (i.e. Inspiring Connections Outdoors) to get kids outdoors.
- Working with Sierra Club’s communications and digital strategies teams, elevates the voices and perspectives of Sierra Club’s volunteer leaders and youth participants as outspoken champions for the outdoors, raising the visibility of Sierra Club’s volunteer outings leaders and participants internally and externally.
- Embraces and advances Sierra Club’s Equity, Inclusion and Justice principles in all activities.
- Introduces creative ideas and approaches for consideration.
- Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned
- Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience or equivalent, including experience in a comparable position which includes leading effective teams, campaign strategy, government relations, and partnership and coalition building.
- Excellent knowledge, experience and expertise in the fields of environmental or outdoor education, conservation and stewardship, public health, urban greening, and/or youth development.
- Experience in organizing a network, coalition, or partners around specific campaign goals. Ability to plan and facilitate meetings and to manage group dynamics and conflicts. Experience building transformational and mutually beneficial partnerships at the organizational level.
- Demonstrated success in upholding values of equity, justice, and inclusion in a professional work environment.
- Demonstrated success at being a self-starter with a high degree of initiative.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to excel at multi-tasking while keeping focus on the “big picture.”
- Experience with national advocacy campaigns and media outreach.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills required. Proficiency in social media (Facebook, Twitter) and WordPress a plus.
- Team oriented. Experience and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteers and colleagues collaboratively.
- Ability to receive and give constructive feedback and to maintain a professional attitude.
- Experience in risk-management and outdoor recreation a plus.
- Some travel required.
The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.