Campaign Organizer

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The California Deserts Campaign Organizer will grow Audubon's impact in the California desert, focusing on expanding protections and public access. Reporting to the Salton Sea Program Director, the Campaign Organizer will build strong support in Imperial and Riverside Counties for the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument and expansion to Joshua Tree National Park amongst local elected officials, businesses, organizations, and residents, and develop a network of activists, including Audubon chapters and members, to support the designation of the areas as well as their sound management over time.

The Desert Campaign Organizer will help to coordinate ongoing coalitions working on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) and the State of California Deserts 30x30 initiatives. The Campaign Organizer will connect these campaigns with Salton Sea advocacy and community engagement in partnership with the director and program coordinator.

Compensation:

$23.00-$27.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Work directly with the Protect California Desert coalition's outreach committee to identify and approach potential supporters of the proposed national monument designation.
• Act as a liaison on behalf of Audubon and the Protect CA Desert coalition to build new and leverage solid strategic relationships with a diverse set of local and state organizations and constituencies, including but not limited to local and state officials, Audubon chapters, civic organizations, NGOs, local businesses, and others; needed to advance goals of the CA Desert coalition.
• In coordination with the Salton Sea Program Director, support the development and achievement of specific goals, strategies, targets, and tactics, and help establish messaging and media needs, work plans, and timelines.
• Work with the Director of Bird Conservation and Spatial Science teams to build and include information and maps in the campaign about the importance of these regions to migratory bird populations.
• Utilizing Protect California Desert coalition's talking points and materials, engage and educate targets to gain proper support.
• Develop PowerPoint presentations, template support letters, secure city council resolutions, etc.
• Collaboratively build and maintain a list of entities and individuals that can be motivated to take action at critical moments to demonstrate support to decision-makers, including:
  • Attending at least two municipalities' meetings per week
  • Writing letters
  • Phone banking
• Track and monitor network activities; provide regular updates to leadership on progress and outputs, such as letters to the editor, actions taken, outreach activities, in-district meetings, etc.
• Join DRECP, Protect California Desert, and Desert 30X30 coalitions.
• Attend public events and staff information tables when appropriate.
• Coordinate and manage in-person events and training. Solicit topics of interest from the network, invite speakers, advertise events, organize registrants, and ensure events run smoothly.
• Engage underrepresented populations and groups by finding connections and building relationships to elevate and involve new voices.
• Other job-related duties assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, communications, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• 3+ years of organizing experience (e.g., leading volunteers, staffing community events, etc.). An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentations that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus
• Strong interest and participation in wildlife and conservation issues.
• Knowledge of the California Desert and Salton Sea geography.
• Capacity to work efficiently and effectively with a wide range of people, build relationships, be diplomatic, and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding complex organization dynamics.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including managing multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing critical areas of focus.
• Excellent attention to detail, time-management and organizational skills, and sound judgment under pressure.
• Experience with measurement and evaluation best practices is strongly preferred.
• Self-starter with a strong collaborative work ethic and ability to work independently.
• Experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities and a commitment to increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion as a core component of our work.
• Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and computer or web-based tools.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable transportation.
• A willingness to travel in-state and be comfortable with working occasional evenings and weekends.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.