Community Organizer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title : Chapter Community Organizer (Part-time)

Department : South Dakota Chapter

Location : Remote in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Reports To : Deputy Regional Field Director

Supervises : N / A

Hours per week : 20

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 : The South Dakota Chapter Community Organizer works with other staff and volunteers to support grassroots power-building through grassroots organizing, advocacy, and education. The Community Organizer collaborates with staff, volunteer leaders, and coalition partners to set strategic priorities and lead on the grassroots organizing aspects of chapter priorities. The Community Organizer will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing strategic grassroots engagement, education, and mobilization in alignment with the strategic priorities in the state. They  will communicate priorities and benchmarks, provide leadership, and represent the Sierra Club to media, community leaders, coalitions, allies, and the public.

Job activities include but are not limited to :

• Develops strong Sierra Club volunteer teams and committees and presence with a focus in the Sioux Falls area. Coordinates the identification, recruitment, and organizing of volunteers. Identifies and develops  volunteers who work as part of a team and take on the role of team leaders to build our  grassroots power and networks. Helps those leaders succeed by training and coaching them how to strategize, organize, inspire, and motivate.
• Collaborates in developing organizing strategies. Develops and implements a variety of engagement strategies to support power building. Coordinates and measures success of activities with manager and other stakeholders to ensure progress toward chapter priorities and goals.
• Maintains and develops new partnerships with affinity groups who share many common goals and values. Develops positive working relationships with existing coalitions and partner organizations. Engages people and develops volunteer leadership in both social and environmental advocacy activities that will create strong environmental communities and build power at the community level. Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s equity initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate.
• Represents Sierra Club to the public and in the media, including working with Sierra Club communications staff to develop public education and media strategy. Coordinates preparation of special reports and other publications and alerts.
• Supports Chapter communications. Contributes writing and / or editing to fundraising appeal letters and helps coordinate donor acknowledgements. Works with Chapter leaders to publish and manage the Chapter’s website. Helps produce a digital and / or print newsletter.
• Able to travel as needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.

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

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

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $34,645, annually.

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 5, 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.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.