Community Advocate Intern
Sierra Club
Legal
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posted on Dec 12, 2024
Job Title: Community Advocate Intern
Department: Utah Chapter
Location: Salt Lake City, UT. This position requires an ability to travel.
Reports To: Director
Duration: 6 months, 10 hours/week
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism fuel injustice, we continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
Scope: The intern is responsible for assisting our Lead Climate and Energy Organizer in implementing local campaigns to provide advocacy training and educational opportunities on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs, including the Clean School Bus Program, Home Energy Rebates, and Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. They will help recruit, engage, and educate Utahns to take repeated action which will further Sierra Club’s targeted campaign goals. They will develop volunteers and build grassroots power and networks. The intern will regularly work outside of the office to communicate with the public and will travel to relevant communities and locations to implement campaign plans. The intern can expect to gain experience with research and campaign organizing and gain a better understanding of how local politics work.
Job Activities include but are not limited to:
- Planning and Hosting Community Education Events and Meetings: Support Chapter staff in facilitating and leading community engagement initiatives, including Community Advocates office hours, Electric School Bus Campaign meetings, Home Energy Rebates campaign meetings, and collaborative partner meetings focused on implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in Utah.
- Outreach to Stakeholders: Engage with community leaders, media, and the public to foster collaboration and support for initiatives.
- Creating Communications and Digital Materials: Develop graphics, one-page summaries, and talking points to advertise events and provide relevant information to participants in campaigns.
- Helping Organize a Day-Long Retreat: Coordinate a retreat to bring Community Advocates together in person and invite new volunteers to join the program. This event will focus on relationship building while providing advocacy training and educational opportunities on IRA programs, including the Clean School Bus Program, Home Energy Rebates, and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
- Skill and Professional Development: Emphasize the intern's interests to foster growth and learning in their area of focus.
Required Skills and Experience:
- Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly articulate ideas and easily strike up conversations with diverse groups of people.
- An interest in bettering local communities through sustainable and green initiatives.
- Ability to work independently, cooperatively, and effectively with the public, staff, and volunteers.
- A willingness to learn and develop new skills.
- Able to travel as needed. Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.
- Committed to evolution: A deepening understanding of systems of oppression and self-reflection on privilege and power.
- Uplifting and additive: A constructive approach with a can-do attitude, sense of humor, and kindness.
Preferred Experience, Skills, and Competencies:
- Some experience as a leader or participant in a school or community club.
- Experience organizing on a campaign.
- Familiarity with policy research.
To Apply
The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience, and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender-fluid people.
Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.