Job Title: Imperial County Chapter Organizer

Department: San Diego Chapter

Location: Remote within Imperial County

Reports To: Chapter Director

Duration: 37.5 hours/week

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 700 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: This position serves as Sierra Club’s primary community organizing and advocacy presence in Imperial County, working to build long-term grassroots power and advance locally driven conservation, climate, public health, and environmental justice priorities. The role develops and supports community leaders and volunteers; builds trusted partnerships with residents, Tribal and Indigenous communities, environmental justice organizations, labor, faith communities, public agencies, and other regional stakeholders; and coordinates community engagement and advocacy around emerging environmental and land-use issues. The position ensures that the priorities and lived experiences of Imperial County communities inform Sierra Club campaigns, policy positions, and public engagement, with particular attention to issues affecting frontline communities, including the Salton Sea, data center development, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, water and land use, pollution, and other locally identified environmental concerns. Working closely with Chapter staff and volunteer leadership, the position strengthens Sierra Club’s sustained presence, membership, partnerships, and organizing capacity throughout Imperial County.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

Community Organizing

Build and maintain trusted relationships with residents throughout Imperial County.
Recruit, train, mentor, and support volunteers and grassroots leaders.
Organize community meetings, educational events, workshops, and public engagement activities.
Increase Sierra Club membership and volunteer participation throughout the county.
Develop local leadership that strengthens long-term community organizing capacity.

Coalition Building

Build collaborative relationships with community-based organizations, environmental justice groups, tribal representatives, labor organizations, faith communities, public agencies, and local stakeholders.
Represent Sierra Club in regional coalitions, community meetings, and public forums.
Foster partnerships that advance shared conservation, climate, and environmental justice goals.

Advocacy and Campaign Support

Monitor environmental, conservation, public health, and land-use issues affecting Imperial County.
Identify emerging projects and policy issues requiring Sierra Club engagement.
Coordinate grassroots advocacy efforts around local, regional, and state environmental priorities.
Support public participation in permitting processes, public hearings, and community planning.
Ensure community concerns inform Sierra Club campaign strategies and policy positions.

Outreach and Communications

Conduct outreach to diverse communities throughout Imperial County.
Strengthen Sierra Club's visibility and presence through community engagement.
Develop culturally appropriate outreach materials and presentations.
Support media opportunities, storytelling, and public education efforts that elevate community perspectives.

Environmental Justice

Build meaningful relationships with frontline communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental burdens.
Promote equitable community participation in environmental decision-making.
Help ensure Sierra Club campaigns reflect local priorities and community-identified needs.
Advance environmental justice through collaboration, education, and grassroots organizing.
Work to protect communities from environmental justice issues like the salton sea, data centers, and other issues prevalent to local communities and members.

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain accurate organizing records and volunteer databases.
Track organizing activities and campaign outcomes.
Prepare regular reports on community engagement, volunteer development, and campaign progress.
Coordinate closely with Chapter staff and volunteer leadership.

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

Demonstrated experience in community organizing, grassroots advocacy, environmental justice, public policy, nonprofit organizing, or related fields.
Experience building partnerships across diverse communities and organizations.
Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating as part of a statewide team.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Commitment to environmental protection, conservation, climate action, and environmental justice.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout Imperial County and occasionally to San Diego.
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:

Knowledge of Imperial County communities, environmental issues, and regional stakeholders.
Experience working with tribal governments or Indigenous communities.
Professional bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
Familiarity with land-use planning, environmental permitting, renewable energy, water policy, or public health issues.
Experience working with volunteers and coalition partners.
Membership or experience within grassroots advocacy organizations.

$68,500 - $68,500 a year

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $68,500, 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 4, 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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