Maryland Organizer

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network seeks an experienced, passionate organizer dedicated to uplifting community leaders in Maryland to take on the climate crisis.

Join our Winning Team

If you want to be a part of the robust climate movement in Maryland with a team of talented advocates and organizers at the forefront of Maryland’s sprint toward clean energy, read on. Our diverse and committed supporters have made us a cutting-edge group that Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, calls “the best grassroots regional climate organization in the world.” The Maryland Organizer will join CCAN at a critical time: following a successful state legislative session where we passed legislation to commit Maryland to the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in the country, we now have even more opportunities to build power, educate voters, and hold newly elected leaders accountable to the movement for climate justice.

About Us

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is the first and oldest group in the Chesapeake region of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., dedicated exclusively to building a powerful grassroots movement to fight climate change. We envision an equitable energy future where fossil fuels are phased out and truly clean sources of power — efficiency, solar, and wind — sustain every aspect of our lives.

For over a decade, we have been pushing the envelope of what’s “politically possible” in Maryland, using every tool inside and outside the box – from organizing to lobbying to the law. We recently passed the Climate Solutions Now Act, committing the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2031 — a 50% increase over the state’s current goal. The Act also puts the state on track to reach carbon neutrality by 2045 and establishes programs such as the Climate Catalytic Capital Fund to help reach those commitments.

We are challenging what’s politically possible via our organizing program focused on building power for the long term. In October, we launched our newly-established membership program, geared towards developing and investing in our grassroots membership, working with them to establish teams in geographies across the state, and ensuring that the teams are self-sustaining. These teams will help us build an even more robust and far-reaching network of activists to accomplish even more in their communities.

About the Position

The Maryland Organizer will have the skills, passion, and commitment to tackle the biggest problems facing our planet in a region that is particularly vulnerable to its impacts. We are looking for a resilient, creative, and strategic problem solver to join our team. The ideal candidate will see opportunities to build relationships, inspire mobilization, and urge faster and more equitable change to address the climate crisis. They are energized by empowering others and looking to put their creativity to work.

What You Will Do

The primary responsibilities of the position include:

• Outreach and Volunteer Development: The Organizer’s priority is building relationships with people and inspiring them to take action. You will recruit, train, and support volunteers and grassroots leaders and form and cultivate active volunteer teams as part of our membership program.
• Build and Deepen Partnerships and Coalitions: The Maryland Organizer will work closely with existing supporters, community partners, and coalition leaders throughout Maryland. There will be opportunities for the Organizer to build on existing relationships and coalitions and establish new partnerships to broaden the scope of our work.
• Planning and Executing Inspiring Actions: The Maryland Organizer will plan and execute creative actions, media events, and community meetings to mobilize our base and influence Maryland’s decision-makers.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will display the following capabilities and qualities:

• Commitment to the mission of fighting climate change and promoting environmental justice.
• At least one year of professional or volunteer organizing experience.
• Demonstrated experience living or working in BIPOC communities and organizing across differences in identities and experiences; experience organizing specifically in Maryland is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with campaign planning and coalition building; media outreach experience is a plus.
• Proven ability to be self-driven while working effectively with a team.
• Proven ability to multitask while prioritizing measurable results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Problem-solver; someone who thinks of solutions more than barriers and is highly adaptable.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Willing to travel as needed with a valid driver’s license (or willing to obtain one).

The Details

This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt from overtime. The Maryland Organizer reports to the Field Director.

The Maryland Organizer is based in our Takoma Park office and will travel frequently within the state and periodically within the region. We work from the office at least two days per week and the remaining three days from home.

The minimum salary for this position is $48,000 per year, commensurate with experience, and we will tailor the work to the experience level of the successful candidate. We provide a generous benefits package, including health care, dental and vision coverage, a 401k retirement plan, and four weeks of paid vacation.

How to Apply:

where you will answer a series of short questions and submit a resume. Our initial application deadline is May 20, 2022, but the application will remain active until the position is filled.

The interview process will consist of a phone interview, a panel interview over Zoom, and a skills test. We hope to make a job offer by the end of May.

CCAN is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. We value bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives to staff to make us smarter and more effective. Ultimately, we want our staff and supporters to reflect the communities we organize. We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for this position.