General Description:
LCV believes our earth is worth fighting for because everyone has a right to clean air, water, and a safe, healthy community. To ensure those rights are protected, we help people use their power to shape policy, hold politicians and polluters accountable, and influence elections.
Our over 2 million members, our volunteers and staff, and our more than 30 state affiliates (together, the Conservation Voter Movement) work for a more just and equitable democracy, where people—not polluters—determine our future. This movement is an influential national network with unparalleled influence in Washington, DC, in state capitals, and in communities around the country.
In 2014, LCV launched Chispa (“chispa” translates to “spark” in English), a program that relies on community organizing to build the voice and power of Latinx families to influence the environmental policies and decisions that affect their lives. Through our programs in four states – including Nevada – our members have taken leadership in the fights to keep rooftop solar affordable and accessible and convert dirty diesel school buses to clean electric fleets, developed Latino and other people of color policymakers as champions on environmental issues, demonstrated to Spanish-language media that the environment is a priority issue for Latinx families, and built strong relationships with social justice and environmental groups alike. With the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign, Chispa Nevada has won victories at the state legislature and with the Governor supporting the shift from dirty diesel school buses to clean, zero-emission electric buses.
LCV’s Chispa Nevada program is seeking five Community Organizers to join the Las Vegas-based Chispa Nevada team. The Community Organizer will be tasked with engaging and building leadership among Latinx, communities of color and young people in Las Vegas. The Community Organizer will conduct outreach to schools, churches, community centers and door-to-door to identify people who are affected by and care about the issues and will help people develop leadership skills in order for them to become powerful advocates and organizers within their own neighborhoods. We are looking for creative, ambitious, experienced community organizers who are goal-driven, passionate about social change and justice, and experienced in building individual and collective leadership and power. Two of the positions are permanent, full-time positions while three are one-year positions.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct new outreach to recruit volunteers through door-knocking, presentations, one-on-one’s and phone calls that identifies new volunteers and members.
- Identify and create opportunities for building the engagement and leadership of members and support their growth and development.
- Support grassroots leaders to develop and implement work plans that result in them forming committees consisting of their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.
- Work with the Chispa team to develop and lead trainings for members that develop their skills, analysis and commitment.
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the power dynamics and lay of the land for the campaign and community. Research decision makers, their interests and how to influence them.
- Track organizing progress meticulously in VAN and submit reports on volunteer recruitment and cultivation.
- Work closely with the Chispa Nevada team to develop, implement and evaluate issue campaigns that successfully recruit volunteers, build grassroots leaders and get the attention of decision makers and media.
- Work closely with the Chispa digital team to increase online engagement and social media presence of our campaigns and programs.
- Work with Chispa Communications team to identify and develop powerful storytellers and media spokespeople from among the membership.
- Develop relationships and partnerships with community organizations, leaders, and institutions, particularly among communities of color, the health field, churches, schools and other relevant communities.
- Actively participate in the Community & Civic Engagement department, as a thought leader and part of the organizing network within the Conservation Voter Movement and contribute to building an inclusive organizational culture.
Qualifications:
- Work Experience: 1-3 years in grassroots community or labor organizing programs. Experience in programs that include volunteer outreach (canvassing, phone banking, house visits, etc.), training volunteers, monitoring goals, developing strategies and tactics, and forming alliances with other groups.
- Skills: Enthusiasm and commitment to amplify the voice and leadership of communities of color in Nevada. Ability to conduct basic research to learn issues, develop a power analysis and political lay of the land, including the positions and values of policymakers. Excellent organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Creative problem-solver who is resourceful during challenging or new situations. Experience with VAN and Excel is highly preferred. Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
- Cultural Competence: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. An understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Experience working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experience.
- Conditions: Ability to work frequent evenings and weekends to attend community events and lead meetings; occasional travel required (approx 4 times/year). Position requires a valid Nevada driver’s license and reliable transportation. This position is based in Las Vegas, NV.
To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Chispa NV Organizer” in the subject line by March 24, 2020. Please indicate in the subject line if application is for the Permanent or One-Year positions, or Both. No phone calls please.
