Northeast Regional Climate Justice Director

At Community Action Works (formerly Toxics Action Center), we believe that environmental threats are big, but the power of well-organized community groups is bigger. That’s why we work side by side with everyday people to confront those who are polluting and harming the health of our communities.

We partner with the people who are most impacted by environmental problems, especially Black, Indigenous, communities of color and poor communities, training them with the know-how anyone would need to make change in their own backyard. Because when neighbors know how to make change, they can build the power to transform our world.

To be the best organizers we can be, we’re diving deep into what it means to undo racism and classism through our work.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Position Overview

The Lead Community Organizer and Climate Justice Director organizes on the ground with local community groups in Massachusetts and co-coordinates the statewide coalition Mass Power Forward that joins frontline and fenceline groups with the environmental community to advance clean energy and environmental justice. In leading the organization’s climate-related work, the Climate Justice Director also supports our team region-wide to organize with local communities facing the most profound threats to their health and the climate. 

Joining the team at Community Action Works, you’ll get to dive into building power with communities facing the most profound environmental and climate threats, while driving a statewide coalition led by the very community members who are most impacted. You will have the opportunity to work side by side with community leaders, developing their leadership while growing your own. And your role in working with other environmental organizations will be to center Black, Indigenous, communities of color and working class communities, and other communities deeply impacted by pollution. Our team at Community Action Works is closely knit, and we weave in relationship-building, cultural exploration, on-going training, and healing practices into every aspect of our work, as we build a culture where organizers can thrive.

Location: 

This position can be based in Boston or Northampton, MA. For the foreseeable future, all of our staff are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Responsibilities 

• Coordinate movement-building strategy and policy work: Work hand in hand with frontline community leaders to develop and carry out a broad regional vision to build people power for a healthier and more just world. At the heart of this work is co-coordinating Mass Power Forward, a statewide Massachusetts climate justice coalition that centers impacted communities. Co-lead Mass Power Forward to carry out their mission of protecting the common good, democratizing the power grid, ensuring a just transition for workers and the community to a green, renewable economy for all.
• Community organizing workshops and leadership development: Working side by side with communities on the communities on the forefront of climate and environmental threats, lead workshops on community organizing skills and hold one-on-one coaching, and leadership development sessions with community leaders (all currently held remotely)—with a focus on building relationships in the most impacted communities. 
• Campaign development and campaign strategy: Identify the most profound local environmental threats in Massachusetts and build relationships with key local leaders, particularly in Black, Indigenous and communities of color and poor communities. Work with leaders to identify solutions to local environmental problems and research and develop creative strategies to win. 
• Networking and movement-building event planning: Join in organizing a power building grassroots conference, membership assembly, and other movement-building events (if and when social distancing is no longer required). Build  deep relationships with community leaders, along with trust  and rapport with lawmakers, agency decision makers, coalition partners, and other stakeholders.
• Fundraising: Join our team in organizing the money. Identify and cultivate relationships with donors, assist with grant-seeking, and participate in other grassroots fundraising tactics including door-to-door canvassing, letter writing, and events. 
• Organizational development: Share your vision, creative ideas, and passion for the organization’s future as together we develop a strategic three-year plan that centers racial and class equity. 

Qualifications 

• Candidates must have at least 3-5 years of related work experience, such as community organizing, base-building, campaign coordination, environmental advocacy, and/or coalition building.
• Ideally, candidates should have a driver’s license and a car that they are willing and able to drive for work.
• Organizers must exercise excellent judgment and discretion and have the ability to oversee significant projects.
• The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience organizing in multi-racial, multi-generational, and cross-class settings, has strategic thinking and effective facilitation skills, and is passionate about community organizing, movement building, and racial, economic and environmental justice.

Salary and Benefits 

• Salary for this position is commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and/or advanced degrees.
• We offer a competitive benefits package, opportunities for advancement, and training.

To Apply 

• Direct your application to Lena Entin, Deputy Director.
• We’ll review your application and if we are interested in discussing your candidacy further, we will be in touch with you shortly.

Community Action Works is an equal opportunity employer.