The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, based in Huntington West Virginia, is seeking a full-time organizer to work out of our Huntington office. OVEC was formed in 1987. Our mission is to organize and maintain a diverse grassroots organization dedicated to the improvement and preservation of the environment through grassroots organizing and leadership development, coalition building, education and media outreach. Our fight for environmental justice is part of the universal struggle to overcome all forms of oppression. We operate on the principle that social change can happen when ordinary citizens feel personally powerful and see themselves as agents of change. We aim to win changes with and for members and residents affected by the abuses of the coal industry. We work with others to change policy at all levels of government.
It is OVEC’s policy to make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
Job Description
OVEC is seeking a full-time organizer (minimum of 40 hours per week) to work out of the Huntington, WV, office. The organizer reports to, and takes direction from, OVEC’s Organizing Director who will assist the organizer in prioritizing tasks, dealing with workloads, and provide advice when needed. OVEC is seeking applicants who have demonstrated an ability to organize around mountaintop removal or other coal issues.
Activities:
Contribute positively to OVEC’s organizing team: Collaborate with other OVEC staff (such as, regularly attending team meetings, coordinating and sharing work loads, answering phone in the office if needed, finding volunteers to help with special projects/events, such as tabling at special events, writing articles for Winds of Change newsletter and soliciting articles from volunteers, etc.).
Maintain and up-date in a timely manner, records relevant to OVEC and your work such as time sheets, work plans, monthly reports and work log, expenses/receipts, contacts for database, etc.
Help build membership base and member involvement in Huntington / Charleston area: through reaching out to interested people with phone calls, one-on-one meetings or invitations to upcoming events or meetings (and be comfortable spending half of your work-time with people). Build and maintain relationships with key people such as staff, OVEC board members, OVEC volunteers, coalfield residents, key people in other groups. Some work with coalfields communities is also expected. Organize or co-organize specific events when needed.
Work to develop new volunteer leaders: Support and nurture members; maintain regular, personal contact. Follow up directly with key volunteers or potential new volunteers with phone calls after an OVEC event. Work to keep especially-active volunteers involved by soliciting their leadership or active involvement whenever possible. Help volunteers in identifying and developing skills they have and those they would like to improve. Seek opportunities for members to take on leadership roles. Help them find their niche in OVEC’s work, such as developing new leaders who can lead organizing workshops and other skill building workshops for new OVEC volunteers. Assist with grassroots fundraising efforts. Attend relevant public hearings; help set up meetings with environmental regulators or other agency/government entities when needed.
Nurture and maintain media contacts. Provide reporters contact information of relevant coalfield residents, or other members, to encourage the most directly impacted people, and other members, to be heard in the media. The organizer can be quoted when appropriate.
Perform any other tasks that are assigned.
Professional development:
Attend organizing training workshops/conferences or other professional skill building workshops.
Read books on grassroots organizing as assigned.
One year from the date of employment, write a personal and job development plan.
Skills/Qualifications:
• Good time management skills; must be a self-starter
• Ability to focus on top priorities
• Good people skills; experienced in working with a wide variety of people.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Basic computer skills (e-mail, Word, Excel spreadsheet, Publisher)
• Willing to travel and be flexible about time and weekend work
• Experience working in coalitions is a plus
• Knowledge of the mountaintop removal and other coal-related issues is a plus
• Willing to deal openly to discuss disagreements before they become big problems
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This is a challenging job – OVEC senior staff has learned over the years that personal growth is not optional.
Salary commensurate with experience; competitive benefits package includes health insurance, travel reimbursement, retirement, compensation time, professional development and generous vacation.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, short writing sample, 2 professional references and 1 personal reference before September 6, 2008 to:
E-mail:
ovec.personnel@gmail.com
Or mail to:
OVEC
PO Box 6753
Huntington WV 25773
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