About the Role

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Organizer will lead the development of Black Vision’s Environmental Justice advocacy through the design and implementation of community engagement activities that bring together and galvanize individuals and communities to solve common problems; meet shared needs; and create awareness and support of Black Visions programs, issue areas, and position alongside Black Visions members, staff, and other movement partners.  The EJ Organizer will build honest, respectful, and mutually transformative relationships with Minnesota’s Black community members and funnel those interested in environmental justice into the Black Visions’ Membership Program. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Movement Ecosystem Building

• Build relationships with Black community members and leaders interested in engaging on climate and environmental justice issues
• Foster strategic and deep relationships with partner organizations and staff
• Assist the organizing team in the development of training coalition partners to move in alignment with the mission of Black Visions

Power Building 

• Develop, support, and implement base building strategies and activities
• Lead consistent membership recruitment through informational sessions, 1-1 conversations, hosting/attending community events, and relational follow up
• Attend community meetings, community board meetings, tenants association meetings, and other meetings of community stakeholders to share information and learn about community concerns
• Employ community organizing tools and tactics, including but not limited to door knocking, phone banking, 1 on 1’s & follow up,  power mapping, accountability sessions, and strategic collaboration with other environmental justice organizations
• Operate within the specific bounds of 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizing 
• Collecting, entering, and managing personally identifying data in EveryAction database
• Support the development and function of the Black Visions EJ Working Group

Leadership Development 

• Develop, identify, and track leadership development activities for EJ interested community members and Black Visions Members, alongside the membership and organizing teams
• Supporting members and volunteers to connect and build with each other 
• Coordinate trainings and political education focused on how to be an effective operative in the Minnesota EJ ecosystem and in the Black community

Campaign Development and Execution

• Support environmental justice campaigns and projects 
• Support research efforts to develop projects and campaigns 
• Support writing efforts to communicate with base, funders, and partners
• Develop trainings and events for members and base to engage in campaigns and projects with the support of the organizing team
• Supporting resource development activities including: rendering reporting on grants and funder relationships, supporting fundraisers
• Work with elected officials and their staff at the city, state and federal levels.  
• Liaise with contractors, landlords, engineers, energy experts, and residents to electrify apartments 

Teamwork and Collaboration (shared with all other staff members)

• Join weekly All Staff meetings, Program Staff Pod meetings, and Campaign Staff Pod meetings 
• Develop agendas, facilitate meetings, and handle follow-up as needed.
• Support the Abolitionist movement ecosystem fighting for Black liberation in Minnesota.
• Share work with others on staff while respecting delegated levels of authority. 
• Participate in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of staff trainings and events as well as All Hands Deck (AHOD) Moments
• Use our resources in ways that comply with local, state, and federal law as well as the moral principles of environmental justice and resource stewardship
• Other duties as assigned by staff pod

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications include…

• Steadfast commitment to the collective liberation of all Black people
• 2+ years experience leading/supporting community engagement efforts, especially in Black and LGBTQIA communities
• 2+ years experience in the fields of energy, environment and climate justice work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as emotional intelligence
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work well both individually and on a team in a fast paced environment
• Basic computer and internet literacy

Our ideal candidate will have…

• Working knowledge of local politics and relationships with local BIPOC leaders
• Knowledge and interest in environmental health issues and energy policy
• Knowledge of canvassing and doorknocking 
• Experience coordinating logistics and supporting volunteers in project implementation
• An outgoing and positive personality
• 1+ years experience in 501(c)4 organizing

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This position may require walking or standing for long periods of time during events or outreach initiatives. It may also involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Work is often performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and lifting or carrying light objects frequently.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions.

UNION

This position is under the Black Visions Union, affiliated with CWA Local 7200.

SALARY

Annual base salary is $65,915/year. 

A cost of living adjustment is enacted once every year equal to  the rate of inflation or higher.

BENEFITS 

• Generously subsidized dental insurance and healthcare plan options
• Retirement account with 3% employer match
• A life insurance policy of $25,000 and a 60% Long Term Disability plan 
• Expansive time off policy
  • 128 hours accrued vacation time during the first year of employment
  • 10 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
  • A three-week period of Rest and Reflection every Winter
  • A two-week period of Rest and Reflection every Summer 
• Up to $3,000/year for professional development
• Up to $5,000/year for childcare and dependent care services 
• Reimbursement for health and wellness activities (up to $150/mo)

The priority deadline is July 22. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

Black Visions is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, disabled, or have otherwise been impacted by systems of oppression to apply.