The campaign

2017 is on track to be the hottest year on record. 1 out of 4 days it was dangerous to breathe the air for more than 5 million Pennsylvanians due to smog and soot.

We know what we need to do: we need to stop burning fossil fuels and move to 100% renewable energy.

The good news is that PennEnvironment has been working to cut global warming pollution for decades and we’ve made progress from cleaner cars on the road to boosting solar and wind power. Unfortunately, crucial victories have come under attack from the Trump administration.

We won’t let that hold us back in Pennsylvania or across the country. PennEnvironment is doubling down on our efforts to push our elected officials to support 100% renewables by 2050. And, nationally with Environment America, we’re drawing a line in the sand to stop the Trump administration from rolling back climate and clean air protections from the Clean Power Plan to clean cars.

If we are going to be successful in fundamentally changing the way that we power our country, we are going to need every elected official who believes in the science of climate change and who wants to see us take it on to be vocal in their support and call on other elected leaders to do the same. And we need them to make this stand as loudly as possible—to make it clear that supporting climate action is good policy and good politics.

The Job Description

PennEnvironment’s Climate Defender Organizers are responsible for recruiting, developing and mobilizing powerful teams of concerned citizens to become climate volunteers in critical communities across the state.

As a Climate Defender Organizer, you will work with our existing network of hundreds of team members and activists, and expand volunteer teams in key political areas to ensure support from local decision-makers for climate action. Whether it’s educational events with leaders like U.S. Senator Bob Casey or rallies with elected officials like Philadelphia Councilman Derek Greene, you and your volunteers will organize rallies and forums to push decision-makers to lead on climate change.

You’ll coordinate regular meetings between local decision-makers and constituents; coordinate rapid response media to highlight climate impacts and hold public officials accountable; and help collect thousands of petitions and personal letters on climate change.

By the end of the campaign, you will have built volunteer teams in key areas that can continue the fight for Pennsylvania’s environment for years to come.

Training

There will be a week-long training near the beginning of the campaign. We will also hold periodic trainings on advanced skills for organizers.

Qualifications

We’re seeking applicants who are ready to commit their time, talent and passion to advocating, organizing and recruiting new leaders to protect the environment. We look for smarts, organizing experience and an eagerness to learn. We value leadership experience of all kinds, especially organizing, grassroots outreach and building campus groups. Candidates should have 1-3 years of organizing experience.

Our Climate Defender Organizers will have the opportunity to apply for a career position with PennEnvironment and Environment America–the federation of state groups of which we’re a part–at the end of the campaign.