Civic Engagement & Grassroots Campaigns Manager

The Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) seeks a committed and motivated individual to build out our civic engagement program. The Civic Engagement & Outreach Manager will work to build capacity for VCN’s Network Partners and the broader conservation community to advance climate action, restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay, create access to parks and trails, ensure environmental justice for all and more.

About VCN:

Founded as the Conservation Council of Virginia in 1969, VCN began as a roundtable of major conservation groups and has grown to include 150 Network Partners across the Commonwealth and a full-time staff of eight. VCN is committed to building a powerful, diverse and highly-coordinated conservation movement focused on protecting our Commonwealth’s clean air, clean water and natural landscapes.

About the Position:

This role helps build the outreach and engagement infrastructure needed for the broader environmental community to win short term victories today and have the capacity to win victories over the long-term.

The Civic Engagement & Outreach Manager will do this by building up regional conservation leaders through trainings, resources, and events and by working to build strategic alliances outside of our network.  In order to build a more diverse and inclusive movement, this role will help VCN, our partner organizations and leaders in the conservation community dismantle inequitable structures within our own organizations and build out a more inclusive movement that lifts up leaders and communities of color.

As the Civic Engagement & Grassroots Campaigns Manager, you will be responsible for:

  • Building out and coordinating VCN’s regional conservation advocate leadership program – including hosting regular regional meetings, training partners to be effective conservation advocates, organizing lobby meetings, and aiding in the coordination of year-round regional organizing.
  • Working with other members of staff to create and run virtual and in-person workshops for Network Partners on civic engagement skills such as building relationships with policy makers, running non-partisan Get Out the Vote campaigns, writing opinion media and more.
  • Creating and updating VCN’s Conservation Advocacy Action Guides to complement civic engagement and regional leadership trainings.
  • Coordinating Network Partners to organize grassroots campaigns on shared statewide policy priorities.
  • Updating and maintaining VCN’s Network Partner database to track partner engagement
  • Implementing key portions of VCN’s diversity, equity, inclusion and justice annual plan, including working with VCN’s staff, board and Network Partners to update the plan annually.
  • Expanding VCN’s partnerships beyond the traditional environmental community through authentic engagement with diverse community groups – this includes being an active participant in the Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative and the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, as well as recruiting new Network Partners with an eye towards increasing the geographic and demographic diversity of our partnership.
  • Supervising the Partner Resources Manager.
  • Being a vocal advocate and spokesperson for VCN and civic engagement as a way to promote and protect Virginia’s environment.

Qualifications:

VCN is looking for candidates who bring at least three to five years of nonprofit, community organizing and / or other relevant experience to the position. Candidates must have a proven track record of working for change. We’re looking for candidates with experience and a commitment to working with communities of different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Candidates who apply must have a strong commitment to environmental protection and a drive to fulfill the organization’s mission. If you meet more than 75% of the qualifications of this description, we support your application.

Details:

This is a full-time, salaried position. Richmond, Virginia is preferred; however, candidates throughout Virginia will be considered. Staff working outside of Richmond must have access to high-speed internet to participate in regular video calls with partners and staff. Once travel restrictions due to COVID19 are eased, this position will need to be in Richmond 2 – 4 times per month on average. All staff are currently working remotely due to social distancing guidelines. This position reports to our Executive Director and works closely with the rest of our staff. Flexibility to travel statewide and work outside of the typical business day is expected.

Compensation:

The salary range for most candidates is $45,000 – $50,000, depending on experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance (with fully covered individual premiums), paid vacation and sick leave, holidays, retirement plan, and family leave. Other benefits include professional development opportunities and an annual staff retreat to a new scenic region of the state each year (staff retreat dependent on travel restrictions being lifted).

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter at this Google Form. Please also let us know where you heard about the job.

This position will remain posted until the job is filled. Preferred application deadline is July 14, 2021.

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.