Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Organizing Director Detroit, MI · Full time

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Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is a statewide coalition working to achieve a clean, healthy and safe environment for Michigan residents most impacted by pollution and climate change. MEJC works to achieve this goal in alignment with the Jemez and EJ Principles through popular education, building people-centered policies, and organizing for systemic change. MEJC convened in 2011 to grow the Environmental Justice movement in Michigan. We have led campaigns in Energy Democracy and Cumulative Impacts as well engaging in federal, state, and local policy. MEJC hopes to define an ambitious climate justice agenda for Michigan that centers Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities and is free of fossil fuels and false solutions.

We here at The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) are working hard to achieve a clean, healthy and safe environment for Michigan’s most vulnerable residents. We are seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as our Organizing Director in Detroit, Michigan. Our Organizing Director will lead our efforts in mobilizing grassroots support, implement effective wide-reaching campaigns, and drive meaningful change to shape the future of our organization and the communities we serve. 

What you’ll do 

As our Organizing Director, you’ll lead and model a top notch organizing strategy while base building for energy democracy & political engagement with coalition partners. You’ll collaborate with the Executive team and Program Directors on the overall development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan through the following day-to-day responsibilities: 

• Cultivate and empower a diverse base of leaders, staff, members, and partners to effectively advocate for change  
• Implement multi-level base building and leadership development organizing strategies, education, and advocacy campaigns to build grassroots power and drive impactful campaigns 
• Facilitate and orchestrate the MEJC base of energy democracy supporters through development of a strong ladder of engagement, building a base of strong environmental justice leaders 
• Develop, track, and evaluate data metrics, and establish the standards for review and evaluation of campaigns, grant reporting, and effectiveness of the MEJC strategies
• Manage and support action-based campaigns by engaging members; co-coordinate advocacy and electoral (C3 and C4) tactics to build the organization and the climate justice movement using tools such as popular education and activity with other appropriate staff 
• Engage MEJC director-level leadership and ensure organizational health through open and transparent communication, fiscal responsibility, and promoting a culture of mutual care, foresight, discernment, and responsibility 
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to organizing team members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives 
• Develop recommended program and grant budgets, allocate resources effectively, and implement program activities as appropriate for the growth and development of the Organizing Department 

What you need to thrive in this role  

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 5-8 years in a supervisory role, initiating and setting goals for organizing strategy and campaign management. Experience working with environmental justice, climate change, social, or racial justice coalitions, networks, and alliances preferred.  
• Strong knowledge of best practices and proven success in leading organizing campaigns, base building, leadership development, and grassroots mobilization 
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate, and connect with people of diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences 
• Belief in and commitment to social, racial, and environmental justice 
• Must reside in Michigan 
• Ability to work nights and weekends  
• Ability to travel 15-20% of the time within the metro Detroit area 

About us 

The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is a statewide coalition working to achieve a clean, healthy, and safe environment for Michigan’s most vulnerable residents. We focus on the Jemez and EJ Principles through popular education, grassroots policy advocacy, and organizing our communities for systems change. MEJC convened in 2011 to grow the Environmental Justice movement in Michigan. We lead campaigns to fight for Energy Justice and Clean Air as well as engage in federal and state policy. MEJC hopes to define an ambitious Environmental Justice agenda for Michigan that centers Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities and is free of fossil fuels and false solutions.

What we offer you 

• Salary: $65,000-$75,000/year, depending on experience and position level
• Medical, dental, and vision (Individual coverage is 100% paid for by MEJC)
• 401k with employer match
• Disability insurance options
• Generous PTO including parental leave
• Professional development
• Community involvement

Is this the job for you? If not, feel free to share this link with someone who might be interested. 

Our hiring management partner is myHR Partner. myHR Partner is not a staffing service or recruiter. All resumes/applications will be reviewed for this position and only for our organization. Thank you for considering us as a potential employer!

 

At MEJC, we continually celebrate the diverse community different individuals cultivate. As an equal-opportunity employer, we stay true to that by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.