Remote Scouter

Job Title: Chapter Organizer (San Francisco Bay Protection) 

Department: San Francisco Bay Chapter 

Location: Oakland, CA (Oakland office or remote)

Reports to: Chapter Organizing Manager

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: This Chapter Organizer role will focus on SF Bay Protection and will lead on issues related to shoreline protection, sea level rise adaptation and resilience, and Bay water quality issues. The Sierra Club has worked for generations to protect the Bay Area environment. Today, our vision for the Bay extends beyond 2030. We seek to create a Bay that is ecologically healthy and still able to support fish and wildlife; that has open space, including bayside open space, sufficient to provide for recreation and habitat; that has industries and commerce not based on fossil fuels or linked to significant risks of pollution; and that has planned for and activated policies that ensure adaptation to sea level rise is effective and equitable.

The San Francisco Bay Chapter is the local arm of the Sierra Club, America's largest and most effective grassroots environmental organization. The Bay Chapter is made up of the roughly 30,000 Sierra Club members who live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Francisco counties. Our Chapter staff work in close partnership with our volunteer leaders, grassroots supporters, partners, and State and national Sierra Club staff to achieve local campaign victories that help advance the Sierra Club’s visionary goals: clean energy, air, and water for all; a clean and just economy; protecting and enjoying nature; and democracy of, by, and for all people. The Chapter Organizer builds grassroots power, executes campaign strategy, and supports leadership development.

• Coordinates volunteer‑based community outreach, organizing, and education  efforts to achieve campaign victories in San Francisco Bay / shoreline protection and restoration (may include but is not limited to advocating the use of nature-based solutions for resilience to sea level rise, conserving shoreline open space and protection from toxic sites, reducing nutrient pollution from wastewater discharges, and/or Bay/Delta water issues), among other local Chapter policy priorities.
• Identifies, develops, and supports volunteer leaders and builds grassroots power and networks. Recruits, engages, trains, and motivates people to influence decision makers and help achieve campaign victories.
• Identifies and is responsible for developing strong relationships with key people of influence including community leaders, especially from frontline communities, and public officials to influence positive campaign or program outcomes.
• Works with appropriate local Chapter staff, volunteer entities, and partners to plan and implement educational, visibility, media, and community outreach events to generate public support with relevant decision makers and in the media.
• Represents the Sierra Club to the public and in the media, including developing public education and media strategy. Writes newsletter articles, op-eds, and alerts. 
• Provides information, research, and other assistance to Sierra Club leaders, the public, and others about the campaign or program and priority issues. 
• Supports frontline communities and volunteers who will build grassroots power and networks.  Helps leaders in these communities succeed by providing and supporting training and coaching.
• Measures and evaluates the success of activities with manager to ensure progress towards the campaign or program's mission and goals.
• Performs administrative, clerical, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Occasionally works weekends and evenings as needed to meet campaign goals
• Travels to relevant communities and locations as necessary to implement campaign plans. Must have a valid driver’s license.

• 2-5 years experience working with volunteers in the environmental movement, political campaigns, or other, similar organizations to plan and implement grassroots campaigns. 
• Basic knowledge of current environmental issues affecting California and the Bay Area. Advanced knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, nature-based adaptation, water issues, and/or sea level rise are a plus.
• Must have a working understanding of environmental justice, just transitions, movement-building and the ability to coordinate across a variety of social justice  issues. Must share a commitment to prioritizing working alongside underserved or historically underrepresented groups. 
• Has current contacts or has the ability to develop contacts with environmental coalition partners in the Bay Area.
• Strong and persuasive writer.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to clearly articulate ideas and easily strike up conversation with diverse groups of people. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in an action-oriented office.
• Ability to work independently, cooperatively, and effectively with public, staff, and volunteers. Strong ability to network, build trust, and build working relationships. 
• Able to travel as needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required. 
• Proficient computer skills including knowledge of social media platforms, word processing, and database software.

• Has current contacts or has the ability to develop contacts with environmental coalition partners in the Bay Area.
• Strong and persuasive writer.
• Creative and nimble user of social media.
• Familiarity with advocacy tools such as email action alerts, peer-to-peer texting, and phone banking/canvassing
• Has or can develop an understanding of the the Bay Area political landscape

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.