Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer action organization headquartered in Washington, DC that runs cutting edge campaigns to help ensure clean water and safe food. We work with grassroots organizations around the world to create an economically and environmentally viable future and advocate for safe, wholesome food, produced in a humane and sustainable manner, and public rather than private control of water resources, including oceans, rivers, and groundwater. Our work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post and other major media outlets.
The Food & Water Watch Fish Program works to promote clean, green, safe seafood for consumers, while protecting the environment and supporting the well being of coastal communities.
The Gulf Coast Organizer will help to: raise public awareness by conducting grassroots organizing and media outreach to highlight the potential for damage to fishing communities, worker health and safety, the environment, and public health, if the world’s largest floating oil platform is allowed to continue to operate without submitting the proper documentation to the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the chief government authority responsible for permitting and leasing of our nation’s offshore energy resources; and to hold MMS and oil platform owners/operators accountable for failure to follow regulations. This position is based in the Gulf of Mexico region, but ideally the position will be based in Louisiana it and will focus on organizing communities on the Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
The position works 20 hours per week, with and lasts for six months, with an option to renew to a full year.
Responsibilities
1. Work with the Fish Team to develop strategic campaign plans including long- and short-term goals, strategies and tactics.
2. Coordinate and develop statewide and regional coalitions in support of our issues and implement grassroots organizing and public education campaigns.
3. Maintain familiarity with a diverse set of issues and research products, and respond to information requests from activists, coalition members, and media.
4. Assist with developing education materials such as factsheets, action alerts, and newsletter articles on various campaign issues.
5. Assist with developing text for the website and maintain web content, create and maintain an activist database and email lists.
6. Develop and present higher-level products, like PowerPoint presentations
7. Assist with developing talking points for use by activists in letter writing and at public hearings.
8. Meet with congressional staff in district on an as-needed basis.
9. As necessary, travel to target states to motivate local organizations and develop coalitions through public speaking, media appearances, strategic planning and training, and to develop earned local media.
10. Table at various events, coordinate volunteers to table at events, and track outcomes and follow-up as necessary.
11. Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Experience: At least two years experience in advocacy on public policy issues, and/or grassroots/field organizing. Familiar with fishing communities and fishing organizations is highly desirable. Familiar with Congress and Government Agencies preferred, but not required.
Education: College degree or equivalent experience required.
Knowledge: Organizing, advocacy and legislative strategy techniques; familiarity with state legislatures; consumer and environmental issues; working with the media. Knowledge of fishing and marine issues is helpful.
Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal and planning; excellent analytical organizational skills. Knowledge of online activism and email outreach is desirable.
Capabilities: Ability to think creatively and strategically, especially with respect to identifying coalition partners and outreach events; ability to quickly to respond to legislative developments and to take advantage of breaking news; demonstrated leadership capability; ability to work well with a wide variety of people and to coordinate diverse tasks; ability to present technical concepts to a mass audience; can-do attitude and commitment to public interest work. Work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis.
Conditions: We seek a passionate, motivated person who will work with a strongly committed team and sees our work as part of essential activism and change. Strong interest in and commitment to promoting the goals of Food & Water Watch. Long hours possible, with occasional travel.
Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample and three references to jobs@fwwatch.org. Position open until filled. Food & Water Watch strives for a diverse work environment and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and differently-abled people to apply.
