Organizing Intern

Job Title: Organizing Intern, Beyond Coal

Department: Campaigns, Beyond Coal

Location: Fayetteville or Northwest Arkansas

Reports to: Campaign Manager, Beyond Coal

Duration: 15 hours per week for 24 weeks

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Sierra Club is looking for a Beyond Coal Organizing Intern to support campaign work in Northwest Arkansas as we work to move away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy. This position will include assisting in public education and engagement on college campuses such as the University of Arkansas and other nearby schools, as well as in the broader community. The work will further the Arkansas Beyond Coal team’s efforts to retire coal plants across Arkansas, which will advance the health and beneficence of the Northwest Arkansas community that is home to nearly 600,000 residents affected by this pollution. 

• Assisting with public outreach and education efforts 
• Organizing on campus and recruiting fellow students to the Sierra Club, building local student power in the fight for a clean energy transition
• Working with the Sierra Club Campaign Organizer to educate community members on the harm of fossil fuels
• Training and working with community partners to effectively influence the Arkansas Public Service 
• Commission and the Southwestern Electric Power Company
• Assisting with planning, recruitment, set up, and facilitation of community meetings and events 
• Collecting petition signatures (requires the ability to travel locally).
• Completing administrative tasks such as note taking and agenda creation

• Familiar with community organizing or have volunteered on at least one grassroots mobilization project.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to interact positively with community residents, volunteers, staff, and the public.
• Demonstrated interest in the environment or related public interest issues.
• Ability to clearly explain complex issues and effectively communicate them to community residents.
• Proficient with social media and Google Docs. Familiar with Zoom.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

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