Houston Lead Organizer

Texas Campaign for the Environment • Houston, TX

5h • $50,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Houston Lead Organizer will be responsible for raising awareness, developing tools, and building community consensus around a variety of environmental issues related to fossil fuel and petrochemical expansion in the region. Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund (TCE Fund) is part of an international movement to stop the expansion of these industries and work directly with communities that are disproportionately affected by the impacts of these industries. As Lead Organizer you will drive our campaign efforts to meaningfully engage communities, build leadership capacity, and organize around people-centered climate solutions in the greater Houston area. The Lead Organizer will work closely with our Petrochemicals Team and Finance Team to build strategies that expose the financial, public health, and community risks associated with polluting industries. This includes collaborating with ally groups/coalitions/workers, developing strategic campaign plans, and building relations with community members. This is a full-time, hybrid (remote/in-office) position that is eligible for membership in the Texas Environmental Workers Union (TEWU).

Requirements

• Two or more years of proven experience in grassroots community organizing for environmental and/or social justice.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment and management, as well as issue campaign development and execution.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated competency working with diverse audiences, including but not limited to elected officials, community leaders, coalition partners, and the general public.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.)
• Ability to quickly analyze and synthesize complex information.
• A keen eye for good design and presentation of public-facing campaign materials.
• Available to occasionally travel throughout the state and region.
• A commitment to advancing the overarching goal of environmental and social justice.
• An energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self-starter and finisher.
• A team player who inspires collaboration and operates decisively; is flexible and well-organized.
• Strong critical thinker and planner.
• Emotionally mature and self-confident.
• Must be based in Harris County - Houston Region and willing to commute to our regional office in Houston, once it is opened.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in canvassing, digital organizing, and/or direct action would also be welcome.
• Some experience with civic and voter engagement campaigns is preferred.
• Spanish/Vietnamese speaking and writing skills are a plus.
• Lived experience with impacts of pollution will be taken into account in lieu of or in addition to formal organizing work history.
• Experience in Texas and/or Louisiana is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Organizing and Community Engagement - Engage supporters to participate in volunteer efforts such as canvassing others in the community, participating in public meetings or demonstrations. Work with local activists and supporters to develop leadership, public speaking, advocacy and organizing training for area residents.
• Campaign Support - Work with TCE Fund staff, coalition allies, and volunteers to support the development and execution of a community center campaign messaging, strategy, and management in the Houston area.
• Corporate Campaigning - Collaborate with local, national and global activists fighting plastic pollution and environmental injustice, plug into campaign efforts targeting corporate decision-makers, including financial institutions that fund and insure fossil fuel & petrochemical expansion.
• Government Relations - Organize activists and volunteer leaders to put pressure on public officials (via civic engagement, educating, and mobilizing voters, and other tactics) to make decisions on climate policy that benefit the community rather than industrial consumers. Participate in public hearings and give testimony.
• External Communications - Collaborate with allies and TCE Fund staff to execute traditional and social media strategies to build power and shape the public narrative on confronting fossil fuel & Petrochemical industries in the Houston area.
• Campaign Messaging - Work with TCE staff, coalition allies, consultants and volunteers to develop and execute citywide campaign messaging on meaningful community engagement around new energy technologies and the risks associated with them.

Benefits

• insurance coverage (medical/dental/vision, including an HSA account with employer contribution)
• paid time off and flex/comp time
• paid holidays (including Summer and Winter breaks)
• retirement plan with employer matching contribution up to 4.5%

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed