Faith in Action is an international network of people of faith organizing for racial and economic justice. We have grassroots organizing affiliates in 23 states and more than 250 cities and towns in the U.S. We believe that people have the power to transform society through disciplined and creative organizing. We believe that faith can be a source of hope and a driver of social progress. We believe that people and communities most oppressed and excluded in society hold the keys to social change, which is where we focus our organizing and leadership development efforts.
Position overview:
Faith in Action is seeking to hire our first staff position focused on climate change. The person will be responsible for coaching and advising Faith in Action affiliates organizing communities of color and rural and urban communities that have historically been by-passed by environmental organizations, focusing on issues that link clean energy to racial and economic equity. The position will also be responsible for telling the story of climate equity organizing in our network, and helping affiliates raise funding for that work.
Climate equity organizing in Faith in Action:
Faith in Action affiliates in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado, and California are at the forefront of the struggle to transition to clean energy in a way that creates investment and jobs in communities of color, rural, native and other marginalized and disinvested areas. This work is relatively new and we are in a learning curve, knowing that the climate movement cannot succeed unless people who have the most at-risk from the harm caused by fossil fuels are leading the struggle for clean energy. That requires transforming a green movement that has been far too White, too policy-focused and too out of touch with the lives of ordinary people.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Coach and provide strategic support to Faith in Action affiliates that are organizing around environmental racism and a just transition to clean energy, with a focus on bringing racial and economic equity demands into campaigns focused on pressing utilities to invest in solar and shutting down pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure.
Create a learning community within Faith in Action focused on how we integrate work on climate change with our racial and economic justice organizing and state power building.
Work with staff, leaders and clergy in the Faith in Action network to position Faith in Action affiliates within the larger environmental and climate change movement so that our network is represented at tables focused on state-based campaigns, national climate change policy, and the faith community's role in a just transition to clean energy.
Help affiliates raise funding to support organizing that links climate change, racial equity, and just transition to clean energy.
Track organizing on climate change and equity within Faith in Action and work with our communications team to tell that story to policy makers, funders and others in the environmental field.
Support and promote efforts by Faith in Action affiliates and partners to bring more people directly impacted by racial and economic oppression into the struggle for clean energy.
Work with staff, leaders and clergy in the Faith in Action network to organize trainings and programs that engage people of faith and religious institutions in the fight against fossil fuels, drawing on resources such as Laudato Si.
Promote adoption of low-cost affordable solar by congregations through Faith in Action's Common Home Solar project.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (required):
Experience working on issues related to climate change and clean energy
Experience organizing to advance racial equity
Training in anti-racism practice and knowledge
Knowledge about the policy issues related to environmental racism, electric power generation, fossil fuel infrastructure, just transition and the inter-section of clean energy and racial and economic equity
Experience with grassroots community organizing and base building
Ability to work with faith communities on justice issues
Ability to coach local organizers and grassroots leaders around their work and agenda
Ability to write and communicate effectively about the organizing that Faith in Action affiliates are doing on climate change
Experience raising funds for social change is a big plus
Application Procedure:
All applicants must apply for this position online via organizingcareers.org. Please have the following documents ready to upload to your online application:
An electronic file of your resume (preferably in PDF format)
A cover letter (stating why you would be the ideal person for this position)
If you need assistance or experience any technical difficulties with your online application, please contact careers@faithinaction.org. Resumes will not be accepted via this email address.
FAITH IN ACTION provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, FAITH IN ACTION complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.