GASP seeks a dynamic, energetic community organizer to assist with implementing GASP’s environmental and climate justice program goals. The Grassroots Organizer is frequently the face of the organization in impacted communities. The ideal candidate has excellent interpersonal communication and customer service skills. This individual must be patient and empathetic to succeed. The organizer must be willing and able to make good decisions on the fly and move quickly to respond to community needs.
Key Information
Title: Environmental Justice Organizer
Reports to: Deputy Director, Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives
Status: Full Time (40 hours/week)
Salary Range: $40,000-$50,000
Location: Greater Birmingham area
Start Date: Negotiable
The Position
The Environmental Justice Organizer works closely with GASP staff to support and strengthen advocacy, outreach, and policy initiatives that mitigate air pollution and build grassroots power in communities directly impacted by significant sources of air pollution in the Greater Birmingham area. They work to educate the public on the health, economic, and environmental impacts of air pollution and environmental justice issues. This position is heavily focused on building the relationships needed to affect change, including members of impacted communities, social institutions (e.g., schools, churches, and other nonprofit organizations), and decision-makers (e.g., government officials).
Responsibilities
Community Outreach & Mobilization – 75%
- Attend and present at community meetings, neighborhood association meetings, PANIC meetings, and other gatherings of community stakeholders to share information and learn about community concerns.
- Create or participate in community activities that heighten the awareness of GASP’s mission and programs and environmental justice issues relevant to the communities.
- Utilize organizing tools and strategies such as door-knocking, SMS campaigns, phone banking, deep canvassing, power mapping, and strategic collaboration with community leaders and partner groups.
- Supervise environmental justice interns in the completion of their assigned tasks and projects.
- Take an active role in networks and coalitions working on issues relevant to GASP’s environmental justice program.
- Represent GASP in speaking engagements, presentations, and in public fora as needed.
- Train community members on how to report air pollution concerns to regulatory agencies.
- Assist program staff with data collection and data entry as needed
- Create opportunities for volunteers to engage in GASP’s direct service work and other EJ activities
- Train volunteers to work at community events and other EJ program activities
- Supervise direct service interns in the completion of their assigned tasks and projects
General Admin Duties – 25%
- Attend weekly staff meetings and provides reports on work progress
- Prepare reports as required for various private, federal, state, and local agencies that provide funding to support GASP’s organizing and outreach initiatives
- Provide a brief update for GASP members at each monthly member meeting
- Produce at least one blog post per month, with the assistance of the marketing staff if needed
- Contribute one article per quarter to the GASP member newsletter
- Track time spent working on various projects
Desired Skills & Traits
- Good written and oral communications skills
- At least one year of excellent customer service experience is helpful
- A bachelor’s degree in public health, sociology, environmental science, social work, or another relevant field is desired but not required.
- Excellent people skills, including active listening skills
- Knowledge of basic civics, including local, state, and federal
- Passion for environmental protection, health, and justice
- Must be highly organized
- Must be able to do occasional physical labor, including lifting heavy boxes up to 50 lbs
- Technologically savvy (e.g., experience with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Canva, Slack, Zoom, and Dropbox)
- Must have reliable transportation
- Key Characteristics:
- Empathetic
- Flexible
- Open-Minded
- Patient
- Independent
- Proactive
- Self-Starter
Benefits
Full-time employees are eligible for 100% premium-paid health, dental, and vision insurance. GASP offers a very generous paid time off policy, flexible schedules, a hybrid office/work-from-home environment, worker’s compensation insurance, and a Simple IRA retirement account (up to a 2% match).
To Apply
Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Executive Director Michael Hansen at [email protected] with the subject, “Grassroots Organizer Application.” We will also accept a video or audio equivalent of the above. The position will remain open until a qualified candidate is found.
GASP is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); women; LGBTQIA+ people; and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
