Climate Program Coordinator

Job: Climate Program Coordinator, SustainUS (DC)
Organization: SustainUS
Location: United States (Washington, DC)
Website: http://www.sustainus.org
Compensation: $28,000 to $37,000 commensurate with experience
Contact Information: Kyle Gracey
Email: climatecoordinator@ sustainus.org
Description: SustainUS is accepting applications for a Climate Program Coordinator to support the climate change-related activities of its Agents of Change program. The Coordinator will work with the Agents of Change Program Coordinators and other volunteer organizers to ensure that project goals are met. In December 2008, SustainUS will send an Agents of Change delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, Conference of the Parties (COP) in Poznañ, Poland. The Climate Program Coordinator is responsible for the delegation's preparation including managing logistics, training, outreach, and collaboration with other groups.

The Coordinator will serve as a domestic manager for the delegation while they are in Poland, and will assist with post-delegation follow-up. The Climate Program Coordinator will work with SustainUS Policy Coordinators to produce outreach materials that increase the climate policy literacy of youth and train delegates in preparation for the negotiations. The applicant should be a self-motivated individual who can spearhead collaborative efforts to maximize the impact of the efforts and voices of young climate activists throughout the US at the Poznañ negotiations.

Following the climate change negotiations, the Climate Program Coordinator will transition into assisting with other key SustainUS programs, including: Citizen Science, Agents of Change delegations to the Commission for Social Development and Commission for Sustainable Development, and grassroots activities, as well as post-COP follow-up duties.

This is a one-year full time contract position, subject to a six-month evaluation of performance and the organization' s needs. This is a contract position and applicants will be expected to purchase their own health insurance. The position will preferably be located in Washington, D.C.; exceptional applicants can indicate a preferred location.

ABOUT SustainUS
SustainUS is a nonprofit organization of young people advancing sustainable development and youth empowerment in the United States. Through proactive education and advocacy at the policy-making level and at the grassroots, we are building a future in which all people recognize the inherent equality and interdependence of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Agents of Change, the international diplomatic branch of SustainUS works to educate young people in the U.S. about international political processes at the UN and to inform policymakers of their priorities and viewpoints. We strive to reflect to our values through the diversity of members and projects, our ongoing commitment to educating ourselves and others, and the way we live our lives.

SustainUS was a supporting organization at the inception of the Energy Action Coalition. Founded in June 2004 by youth climate leaders, the Energy Action Coalition unites a diversity of organizations in an alliance that supports and strengthens the student and youth clean energy movement in North America. The members of Energy Action Coalition work together to leverage our collective power and create change for a clean, efficient, just and renewable energy future. The work of Energy Action is focused on four strategic areas: campuses, communities, corporate practices, and politics (through the Power Vote campaign).

RESPONSIBILITIES
In support of SustainUS's delegation to the December 2008 COP in Poznañ, Poland the Climate Program Coordinator will contribute to the following areas of SustainUS's work:

TRAINING
* Support and attend a training program that equips youth with the tools to effectively participate in international climate negotiations. This training will be held in Washington, D.C. in the Fall of 2008 and will be developed in collaboration with the Energy Action Coalition and the SustainUS Agents of Change coordinators.

OUTREACH
* Coordinate and write educational materials in collaboration with Energy Action Coalition staff to build climate policy literacy of youth * Manage outreach to government delegations and NGOs with SustainUS policy material * Work with SustainUS leadership to coordinate media outreach and press relations

GENERAL SUPPORT
* Research current events and policy lay of the land around international climate negotiations * Coordinate grant writing efforts and support COP delegates in pursuing individual fundraising opportunities * Support other climate-related activities e.g. working with SustainUS delegations to other UN conferences, the Citizen Science program, and partner organizations * Additional duties as assigned by Agents of Change Coordinators and Steering Committee

PROGRAM EVALUATION
* Facilitate the completion of an evaluation documenting the effectiveness of our strategies at COP and use lessons learned to plan the next year's delegation * Maintain and strengthen contacts made at COP

POWER VOTE
* Identify avenues of collaboration and engage in grassroots action around Power Vote * Work with Energy Action Coalition partners to execute the international engagement component of the Power Vote campaign

HOW TO APPLY Please submit a cover letter and resume to Kyle Gracey, Chair at ClimateCoordinator@ sustainus. org. Please put "Climate Program Coordinator" in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Applications will be accepted and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. The Coordinator will be expected to begin work by September 15th.

Qualification:
* Relevant educational, work, or volunteer experience in outreach, communications, grassroots organizing, or a related field
* Strong written and oral communication skills
* Experience writing press releases and working with traditional and new media
* Energy, passion, and commitment to equity, environmental justice, and youth empowerment
* A background and interest in international climate policy is preferred
* Desire to take initiative and bring new ideas to the table
* Demonstrated ability to manage a wide range of tasks simultaneously,and prioritize effectively
* Ability to work independently, flexibly, and remotely, taking direction from volunteer supervisors via phone and email
* Willingness to work in a collaborative and volunteer-led organization
* Fundraising or development experience a plus