Job Title: Legislative and Political Organizer

Department: Michigan Chapter

Location: Lansing, MI

Reports To: Legislative and Political Director

Manages: N/A

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remaincommitted 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. 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 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 Legislative and Political Organizer plays a key role in strengthening the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter’s volunteer-driven legislative and political advocacy. Working closely with the Legislative and Political Director, the Organizer focuses on building the grassroots power necessary to advance environmental priorities at the state level. The Organizer, along with the Legislative and Political Director, leads the organization and execution of citizen lobby days, district-level lawmaker meetings, and other grassroots advocacy actions. They build and support volunteer leadership teams, facilitate training for activists on legislative engagement, and coordinate ongoing volunteer communication and engagement cycles tied to key legislative and electoral campaigns.

This position requires frequent evening and weekend work for volunteer meetings and public events; requires an ability to travel within the state with a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record; and may require occasional out-of-state travel to regional or national meetings.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

Programmatic Strategy and Implementation. Plans, develops, coordinates, and implements the Chapter’s political and legislative organizing program in collaboration with the legislative and political director, volunteers and key staff. Conducts targeted policy and political research to inform the organization’s position and strategy. Coordinates and measures the success of these campaigns with the political and legislative director and volunteer leaders to ensure progress towards programmatic goals.
Volunteer & Development Engagement. Identifies, trains, informs, and motivates volunteers to build and sustain grassroots power that centers frontline communities, influences decision makers and achieves campaign victories. Supports political and legislative committees, as well as other volunteer entities, as assigned.
Internships. Manages the political and legislative internship programs. Delivers impactful and worthwhile experiences to the next generation of environmental leaders.
Communications. Supports communications and base building by leveraging digital organizing tools and internal and external communication strategies. Communicates the Chapter’s position on issues and the impact of our organizing through fact-sheets, newsletter articles, op-ed, videos, press conferences, media interviews and other mediums as assigned.
Collaboration & Community Engagement. Builds and sustains strong relationships with internal and external partners, including campaign staff, community leaders, and public officials to shape legislative and political outcomes.Organizes events, trainings, rallies, outings and meetings while moving members and supporters from online action to in-person engagement. Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s diversity initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate.
Lobbying. Represent the Chapter at the state capital and in-district for assigned issue areas. Build relationships with key organizations and people, including community leaders and public officials, to positively influence campaign or program outcomes. Collaborate with volunteer leaders and the legislative and political director to plan and lead lobby days, as well as develop additional citizen lobbying opportunities.
Fundraising. Assists with grant writing and reporting, events, mailed appeals, engaging individual donors or foundations, grant management and data management in partnership with the Political and Legislative Director, key staff and other relevant stakeholders.
Ensures compliance with Sierra Club policy and federal and state laws related to election activities including management and administration of the Chapter’s state Political Action Committee (PAC).
Performs administrative, clerical, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.

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

Grassroots organizing & teamwork. You have experience working with groups using democratic decision-making. You have worked with partners to achieve shared goals by building pressure on a decision-maker through escalating advocacy tactics. You can manage a fast-moving, dynamic campaign plan involving multiple stakeholders, partners, volunteers, and decision-makers. You can motivate groups of people to take action for a cause and find joy in developing leaders while building grassroots power. Experience lobbying or representing elected or appointed office at any level of government is highly desirable.
Strong written, oral & facilitation skills. You can communicate complex topics clearly and concisely while tailoring your message to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. You are comfortable speaking in front of large and small groups, hosting virtual convenings, leading group discussions, and facilitating hands-on workshops. You are able to convey information and help everyone share their ideas while moving through an intentional agenda in a timely manner. Reliable communicator who regularly follows up with volunteer leaders.
Project Management: Self-starter with project management and facilitation skills. Able to work well on teams to accomplish goals. Able to facilitate others to buy into projects and timelines. Demonstrates the ability to create rapport and inspire trust. Open to feedback and learning new skills.
Equity Analysis and Practice. You are aware of your group identities and how they have shaped your life and experiences at work. You have an analysis of how racism and other forms of oppression in society impact relationships, systems and culture. You bring experience and skills for working effectively with colleagues across group identities and position/role.
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.
Tech Proficiency. Experience using Google Suite, Zoom and social media platforms.

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

Issue Expertise: Knowledge of environmental issues, and either expertise or an ability to develop expertise in state energy, water, transportation, climate justice, and/or conservation areas.
Political Expertise: Knowledge of the political, policy, and regulatory landscape in the state. Best candidates will have some relationships and/or an understanding of the major players in business, organizations, and government. They will also have experience working on electoral campaigns and working with candidates running for office.
Volunteer Development: Track record of recruiting and developing volunteer leaders along a progression of leadership. Skillful at building trusting, mutually accountable relationships with a diversity of volunteer leaders. Skillful at placing volunteers with roles that match their expertise and passions.
Digital Tools: Experience with digital organizing tools like Hustle or VAN.

$59,000 - $62,000 a year

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $59,000 - $62,000 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, exempt, represented, professional position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

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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Legislative and Political Organizer