Rainforest Action Network (RAN) runs hard-hitting campaigns to protect the world’s forests and their traditional inhabitants from extractive industries and the effects of climate change. Our campaigns focus on high impact market sectors including the logging, private financial, and automotive sectors. RAN seeks to galvanize the public's existing belief that irresponsible resource extraction in endangered ecosystems is unnecessary, that climate change is a threat to global ecosystems and the global economy, and that a mature, modern society has outgrown such practices. Several dozen top wood and paper buyers and financial institutions have begun to create policies to address these issues, with more than four hundred companies in total committing to action.
Title: Youth Organizer
Supervisor: Organizing Director
Status: Full-time, salaried
Location: San Francisco, CA
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Position Summary:
The Youth Organizer will work closely with RAN’s grassroots, campaigns, communications, and fundraising teams. They will be primarily responsible for coordinating RAN’s youth program, which involves developing and supporting a multi-cultural network of young activists and training them to play a meaningful role in RAN’s campaigns and the broader movement for the environment and social justice.
Specific Duties Include:
- Working with and helping to build a diverse group of high school and college activists to develop a shared vision and plan for RYSE (RAN Youth Sustaining the Earth);
- Working with RAN’s campaigns to develop strategies and tools for young activists to meaningfully engage in the campaigns;
- Supporting the RYSE council by providing leadership development opportunities, guidance and coordination assistance;
- Outreach to high schools, middle schools and (to a lesser extent) colleges;
- Developing content for the RYSE website (ryseup.org) and promoting the RYSE blog;
- Managing the RYSE e-newsletter;
- Developing youth organizing resources;
- Working with the development team to raise funds for youth organizing and leadership development, including developing tools for RYSE members to raise funds to support the program;
- Promoting RYSE and RAN at schools, conferences, trainings, in the media and to the general public;
- Work with the Education Coordinator to develop opportunities for RYSE members to give educational presentations and trainings.
- Establishing specific goals and benchmarks for RYSE program growth;
- Evaluating and reporting on RYSE program activities and accomplishments;
- Coordinating with RAN’s grassroots team to plan and support trainings, outreach activities, events, and campaign actions;
- Serve as liaison for the Grassroots Organizing department to other RAN campaigns, departments or projects as assigned;
- Coordinate with SEAC, especially in the development of a Regional Coordinator Program;
- Work with the Energy Action Coalition working group at RAN, represent RAN at EAC meetings/events and promote RYSE participation in EAC activities;
- Participating in other Grassroots Organizing department activities as needed.
Organizational Responsibilities:
- Participating in RAN’s staff meetings, organizational planning and training sessions as necessary;
- Contributing to RAN’s goals of becoming a more diverse and anti-oppressive organization;
- Sharing office responsibilities to maintain a healthy and safe workplace;
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Qualifications:
- A minimum of two years experience as a grassroots organizer (professional or at school);
- Experience working with multi-cultural youth, especially high school students;
- Knowledge and understanding of youth culture and sub-cultures;
- Experience with youth-led organizations preferred;
- Ability to multi-task and maintain a positive attitude;
- Ability to communicate both on- and off-line with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds;
- Strong written communication skills and ability to operate under tight deadlines;
- Strong public speaking and/or performance skills;
- Strong project management skills;
- Foreign language skills (especially Spanish), preferred;
- Training experience preferred, especially interactive trainings with young people;
- Experience working in or with public schools and teachers preferred;
- Commitment to the environment, social justice and leadership development.
RAN values diversity, educates staff on issues including privilege and oppression, and seeks to integrate these values into all of our work. We are seeking candidates who have a commitment to engage in this process and work with us to create a just, inclusive, and sustainable work environment, movement, and world. RAN provides all people with equal employment and volunteer opportunities.
Please send résumé and letter of interest to: Human Resources, Rainforest Action Network, 221 Pine St., Suite 500, SF, CA 94104, fax 415/398.2732, or e-mail: resumes@ran.org. No phone calls, please.
