Bay Alive Campaign Assistant

Palo Alto, CA, United States

Job Title: Bay Alive Campaign Assistant

Department: Loma Prieta Chapter

Location: Offices in Palo Alto, CA, but work in shoreline communities in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, CA

Reports to: Chapter Director

Supervises: None

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of togetherness. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice, for 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 inequity, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our democracy. 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 restrict it.

Scope: The Loma Prieta Chapter’s Bay Alive Campaign works at the local and regional levels, using a lens of engagement, equity and justice, to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay as a thriving ecosystem and build community and regional resilience to sea level rise.

The Bay Alive Campaign Associate will be responsible for supporting local and regional advocacy campaigns, education programs, and communications to inspire appreciation for the San Francisco Bay, build awareness of threats to shoreline ecosystems and communities, and stimulate engagement in Bay advocacy.

They will work with Sierra Club staff, volunteer leadership, and community and regional partners to implement advocacy campaigns; help educate and engage Sierra Club members, supporters, partners, and the general public on Bay issues; and build and support networks of engaged volunteer activists. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work for meetings and public events.

Job Activities include but are not limited to:

Advocacy. Assist Bay Alive staff and volunteer leadership in developing and implementing advocacy positions and campaign strategies for Bay Alive conservation programs in accordance with the Chapter policy.
- Build a working knowledge of sea level rise projections and other major threats to Bay ecosystems, the role living shorelines play in mitigating climate change and its impacts, and the political and regulatory framework in which land use and environmental policies that impact the Bay shoreline are made.
- Perform research, analyze agency plans and proposals, and participate in discussion to help translate policy and project developments into strategic advocacy actions to present to and engage with stakeholders.
- Introduce creative ideas and approaches for consideration.
- With input from volunteer leaders and the Bay Alive Coordinator, draft and deliver public comments advocating for Bay Alive policy positions and actions with elected officials, governmental agencies, coalition partners, and other stakeholders.
- Help draft factsheets, briefing papers, sign-on letters and other campaign materials.
- Work with staff, volunteer leaders and other interest groups to identify, recruit and organize volunteers for Bay Alive conservation campaigns

Education and Engagement. Help develop strategies and materials for public engagement that educate and engage large numbers of people in support of Bay Alive Campaign goals.
- Support planning and implementation of an annual Bay Advocate Program training series and webinars on a variety of Bay-related topics.
- Help brainstorm and develop grassroots advocacy resources and other educational materials for use on Bay Alive website(s) and via Sierra Club communication channels.

Communications. Working with the Bay Alive Campaign Coordinator, Chapter Communications Specialist, Chapter Director, and volunteer leaders, identify relevant topics for digital and print communications and develop messaging around advocacy campaigns for use in communications.
- Under the supervision of the Bay Alive Coordinator, author communication pieces such as blog posts, calls to action, letters to the editor, eNewsletter articles and social media content to keep Sierra Club members and supporters and the general public informed about Bay-related issues.
- Draft regular updates on Bay Alive activities and successes for Chapter donors and supporters.
- Draft regular updates on Bay Alive activities and opportunities for engagement for distribution to Bay Alive opt-in lists.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

Strong written and oral communication skills. You can communicate clearly and concisely with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders. You are able to synthesize complex information and present it in an easy to understand and engaging format.
Workload management, initiative, and collaboration. You have a proven track record of setting and managing multiple priorities to successful and timely completion in a fast-paced environment. You are self-motivated, with demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently, while also being able to work cooperatively and effectively with staff and volunteer colleagues across group identities and position/role to achieve results in a collaborative team environment.
Public speaking & facilitation. You are comfortable speaking in front of large and small groups and leading group discussions. You demonstrate empathy and listening and are able to clearly convey information and help everyone share their ideas while moving through an intentional agenda. You are able to motivate groups of people to take action for a cause.
Advocacy and grassroots organizing. You are familiar with advocacy work and have an understanding of how to use public mobilization tactics to influence decision-makers. Previous experience in a campaign or organizing role is strongly preferred.
Quick learner and comfortable with technology. You are comfortable using word processing, spreadsheet, and slide presentation software. Proficiency with Google Suite applications and customer relationship management (CRM) systems (such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or Salesforce Marketing Cloud) is preferred.
Analysis and practice. You understand how climate change, environmental degradation, and limited access to nature disproportionately impact communities of color, low-income communities, and other marginalized groups of people. You are interested in or have experience developing inclusive campaigns at the intersection of environmental action and social justice.
Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

Language: fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan
Network: understanding of and connections to local frontline communities

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $65,000.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category #6 non-exempt, represented position.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

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.

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