North Carolina Climate Justice Campaigner
(location flexible)
Down Home North Carolina (DHNC) is seeking a full-time Climate Justice Campaigner to build power for the multiracial working class in the arena of climate policy. Building on our track record of successful basebuilding and member-led campaigning, the Climate Justice Campaigner will develop and lead campaigns that build a base of members, win real investments and reforms for our people, and prepare our members to lead campaigns that build our power and move us toward just, healthy, sustainable communities.
The ideal candidate is a people person who is highly motivated to win changes for working-class people. They have the ability to draw on significant past experience as either a professional campaigner, organizer, or a dedicated grassroots leader. They are familiar with the fundamentals of campaign strategy, and able to develop plans that engage others to carry out said strategy. They are goal-oriented with a high degree of personal organization, and enjoy building and executing detailed project plans. Experience as an organizer is a strong plus, and direct lived experience on the frontlines of climate impacts, resource extraction, or associated campaigning is beneficial but not required.
About Down Home North Carolina
Down Home North Carolina is a growing statewide organization of rural and small town communities that advocate for economic, gender, and racial justice. We move North Carolina toward the values of dignity, safety, and inclusion through leadership development, strategic campaigning, multiracial movement building, and civic engagement that advances positive, life-changing reforms for rural communities.
Founded in 2017, Down Home has built a strong organizational track record, including:
- Helping to elect the first Latinx state legislator in NC history
- Winning Medicaid expansion for more than 600,000 working Carolinians
- Winning local campaigns to raise the minimum wage for city workers and oppose the expansion of local jails
- Growing a statewide membership base that includes all 100 counties of North Carolina
- Establishing member-led chapters across 7 counties, stretching from mountains to sea
- Anchoring the first southern, rural deep canvass and race-class narrative tests
- Holding and growing statewide coalitions to fight for a just COVID-19 recovery, Medicaid expansion, and public schools
First Year Buckets of responsibility:
1. Build a program to engage Down Home’s communities and membership, deepen political education around climate change, and identify top working class issues within the climate space.
- Organize and facilitate community outreach, including listening sessions and canvasses, to surface the top climate issues impacting working Carolinians
- Prepare and lead trainings (alone or with members) that draw out wisdom of membership and applies it to deepen learning
- Recruit a diverse team of new members and volunteers into Down Home North Carolina
- Apply the principles of leadership development to grow member ownership, responsibility, and confidence over time
2. Recommend, develop, and lead campaigns to win resources for climate resiliency and a just transition to a less carbon-intensive economy.
- Work with members and Down Home staff to identify, plan, launch, and lead statewide or local issue campaigns
- Research opportunities to access federal infrastructure money, plan and execute local strategies to secure funding for local member priorities
- Ensure that Down Home’s campaign work builds and develops our member base and has the potential to win real improvements for our communities
- Represent Down Home North Carolina with coalition partners in statewide and national campaign spaces
- Successfully invite members into organizing activities like meeting participation and door-knocking
3. Contribute to a dynamic and growing staff culture at Down Home NC.
- Play a part in our diverse, dynamic, and inclusive team of organizers and fellow Down Home staff; contribute positively to the culture of the organization
- Be dedicated to building power with the multiracial working class of rural North Carolina
- Model Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) competencies; bring equity and inclusion lenses to all aspects of work
Required skills and experience:
- Organizer mindset: Committed to grassroots organizing and is grounded in the importance of building a multiracial movement. Is willing and able to build relationships quickly, have strong follow ups, and move people to action. Is willing to take chances, solve problems creatively, and independently. A determination to succeed and build power. Previous experience as an organizer or a grassroots leader is preferred but not required.
- Campaign chops: Brings a fine understanding of campaign strategy. When thinking about a problem, can identify critical pathways for change, identify decision-makers and campaign targets, develop powermaps, and develop a credible, effective, and nimble strategy to apply our resources to effect the change we are seeking. Can translate this into a plan, and engage others to help carry out the strategy. Willing and able to think and plan collaboratively to align work with existing organizational strategies.
- Willingness to learn: Be willing to learn and/ or adjust organizing techniques. Be able to take coaching from managers and integrate advice into your work areas. Listen to community members and leaders to better understand their communities to ensure that the program is the most effective it can be on the local level.
- Team player: Be able to contribute to a growing and fast paced team. Be able to take directions well and also be willing to contribute by offering feedback and suggestions to co-workers and management. Offer support to teammates and be able to ask for help when needed.
- Independent worker: Be able to manage multiple projects at one time. Meet deadlines and hit metric goals. Ensure that numbers are reported on time with data integrity at the top of mind. Attention to details and be able to provide thoughtful solutions to problems that arise. Be able to work in a fast paced environment where work areas are expected to change frequently.
- Mission alignment: Committed to the vision of a powerful, inclusive, rural, multiracial, working-class movement-building as a path towards liberation for all people. Is aligned with the idea that building power takes both election programs and long-term base building and investment in communities. Personal or professional experience living in rural communities, living in the South, rural organizing, and/or organizing in the South are a plus but not required. Personal experience as on the frontlines of climate organizing, including lived experience in Black, Indigenous, low-income or working-class communities is a plus but not required.
Some irregular hours are required, including nights and weekends. Work location is flexible within North Carolina. Please note that a significant portion of work will be in person. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work.
Compensation for this full-time staff position is determined by the candidate’s level of experience and ranges between $59,785 to $75,655 annually, includes best-in-class health coverage, retirement, sick, vacation, and other benefits.
How to Apply
Down Home NC is committed to creating a dynamic, multicultural, diverse working environment. Candidates of color and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Down Home NC is an equal opportunity employer. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If this job description is posted on Down Home’s website (www.downhomenc.org), we are still accepting applications.
Please send a resume and a short cover letter that includes your experience to: [email protected]