CA Green New Deal Organizing Director

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND AND MISSION

The California Green New Deal Coalition (CA GND) was formed in 2019 as a statewide power-building formation to fight for unprecedented climate investments that center racial and economic justice. This vision is not just a better package of climate policies, but a transition to a fundamentally new economy — one that is just, sustainable, and democratic. The industries upholding the status quo will continue to propose false solutions that fund this transition off the backs of working families and creating sacrifice zones in the process. We need solutions that are inclusive and authentically led by grassroots organizations and frontline communities and workers.

The coalition has grown to over 80 member organizations, led by grassroots and frontline communities through a Steering Committee of 13 member organizations.

In 2023, the CA GND voted to prioritize a 3-5 year campaign focused on the intersection of climate and housing with a long-term vision for green social housing. This campaign decision was accompanied by a decision to prioritize building organizing power, defined as expanding the organizing capacity of our member organizations to base-build, develop and retain leaders, and mobilize for action.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Organizing Director will lead strategy, planning, and implementation of organizing activities for the coalition. This includes work to expand the organizing capacity of the coalition, as well as activities that advance priority campaigns.

Over the next several years, the Organizing Director will lead the development of an Organizing School that will train base-building organizations to co-create and practice innovative organizing models. Each cohort will bring together a diverse set of communities and perspectives within the CA GND to create a collaborative space for collective learning and action on experiments in organizing. This will expand the organizing capacity of our grassroots member organizations, as well as our coalition’s ability to organize collectively around a common campaign.

The Organizing Director will also support mobilization actions and educational events that advance coalition campaigns. This includes events like lobby days, rallies, town halls, listening sessions, and webinars.

The Organizing Director serves as one of the primary points of contact and public faces of the coalition. They will build relationships and trust with coalition members and new partner organizations, and represent the coalition in a variety of meetings between partner organizations. Applicants should feel comfortable leading and facilitating effective meetings that are productive and engaging.

This position reports to the Coalition Director and works closely with the coalition’s Steering Committee and other staff from coalition members. The position is housed within the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), which serves as the incubator and host for the CA GND.

This position is a full-time exempt and remote position 40 hours / week with full benefits. The job will require occasional travel within California.

Queer, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, disabled, black and indigenous people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ORGANIZING SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT [50%]

• Lead the planning, design, development and implementation of an Organizing School that trains individuals from base-building organizations in foundational organizing skills, and facilitates the creation of innovative organizing plans. The Organizing School will use a cohort model that brings in teams from multiple organizations working on a shared campaign through the CA GND. Developing the Organizing School will include:
  • Curriculum development
  • Program structure design
  • Trainers and facilitators
  • Participant recruitment
• Work in coordination with other coalition members to ensure the Organizing School achieves the goals of building the organizing capacity of our member organizations while also integrating their organizations and members into the coalition’s green social housing campaign

CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING [30%]

• Organizing coalition members and partner organizations in support of coalition priorities
• Mobilize allies for campaign priorities and coordinate actions as needed (e.g., lobby days, rallies, letter sign-ons)
• Support educational event planning and other community-building events (e.g. webinars, town halls, listening sessions, film screenings)
• Develop campaign materials and tools, and train member organizations to bring them to their staff and community members for political education events
• Lead digital organizing efforts, including social media toolkits, petitions, and digital calls to action
• Represent the coalition in meetings with partner organizations

COALITION DEVELOPMENT (20%)

• Strategy and Planning: Contribute to overall coalition coordination and planning processes, including strategic planning, yearly workplan and budgeting, annual Steering Committee retreat, and annual coalition Convening
• Coalition membership: Track, orient, and meet with organizations that apply to join the coalition, and foster opportunities for ongoing engagement with coalition members
• Organizational Culture: Contribute to the coalition culture of team-building, emotional intelligence, political education, and leadership development
• Communications: Act as a coalition spokesperson and support coalition communication strategies, including narrative development and rapid response messaging

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizing and/or campaigning experience, including experience developing campaign strategy
• Highly organized, collaborative, self-motivated, problem-solver unafraid to take initiative and comfortable with minimal supervision
• Project management expertise
• Effective facilitation skills and ability to lead meetings with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of digital organizing and communications through social media and other digital platforms
• Commitment to movement building, the mission and principles of the California Green New Deal, and centering the voices of frontline communities and workers

Bonus (but not necessary) to have:

• Experience creating, developing, and/or implementing organizing skills training or political education programs
• Some familiarity with California political landscape and legislative dynamics and/or working knowledge of environmental justice, climate policy, organized labor, and housing landscape in California
• Demonstrated experience working in coalitions, and/or ability to bring people together across sectors and organizations to advance shared goals
• Direct knowledge of how to build grassroots political power through base-building, coalition campaigns, civic engagement, transformative policy, and/or movement building

If you don’t meet all of the qualifications, but feel that you would be a good fit, please apply!

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Competitive salary range of $90,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience.

APEN also offers a generous benefits package that includes: health, dental and vision (domestic partner coverage available); health reimbursement arrangement; flexible spending account; commuter benefits; 5% 401k employer contribution; employee assistance program; professional development funds; paid parental leave; vacation and sick time; two-week paid winter break in December; one-week paid summer break; and an opportunity to qualify for a 3-month paid sabbatical. APEN is a family-friendly employer.

ACCESSIBILITY AND WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will require applicants to work on a computer daily for long periods of time, and collaborate with colleagues and coalition partners through Zoom, email, and other digital platforms. APEN will provide a computer and other equipment needed to fulfill basic job responsibilities.

This position can be remote or in-person, but candidates must live in California. If in-person, this position will also follow APEN’s COVID safety policies and protocols regarding in-person work. Masks are required to be worn in APEN offices and indoor events, with the exception of eating and drinking. All employees also are required to be vaccinated as part of our safety policy or be subject to weekly testing.

APEN will continue to closely monitor local and state health officials guidance around COVID and any additional guidelines around safety for people to return to offices and gather in-person as needed.

This position may occasionally require work during irregular hours including on nights or weekends, and will require occasional travel within California.

This position will not require applicants to carry or move heavy equipment, regularly ascend or descend a ladder, or stand or sit for long periods of time. This position will not require working in hazardous or unusual conditions such as outdoors in inclement weather.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are due electronically by clicking the Apply Now button on APEN’s website.

Applications must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and qualifications

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

APEN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, caste, or any other characteristic protected by law. APEN conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Queer, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, disabled, black and indigenous people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.