Assistant Director, Civic and Campus Engagement The Rachel Carson Council

Founded in 1965, the Rachel Carson Council (RCC) is the organization that, before her death from breast cancer, Rachel Carson asked her friends and colleagues to form to continue her work. Today, the RCC’s mission carries on Carson’s extraordinary legacy and ecological ethic combining scientific concern for the environment and human health with a sense of reverence and wonder for all forms of life in order to build a more sustainable, just, and peaceful future.

The RCC is a growing and respected voice at the grassroots and on Capitol Hill. We are committed to environmental and climate justice through education, organizing and advocacy – especially the RCC Campus Network (RCCN) of sixty-eight colleges and universities and thousands of students, staff, faculty, and administrators. As part of the RCCN, the RCC carries out a national RCC Fellowship Program with 20-30 undergraduate and graduate RCC Fellows selected nationwide who receive mentoring, a $2,000 stipend, and work on RCC year-long projects and campaigns from their respective campuses. Each year, the RCC also selects twelve full-time summer Duke Stanback Fellows who work at the Washington, D.C. office near Farragut North. All RCC Fellows and Stanback Fellows attend the 5-day RCC American Environmental Leadership Institute in residence at the Rockwood Manor Retreat Center alongside the C&O Canal Historic National Park.
The RCC seeks an aspiring, creative, committed, and flexible environmental leader toward the beginning of their career, willing to help expand and innovate at a small, but respected and growing organization. The ideal candidate will combine the imagination, empathy and writing of Rachel Carson with her dedication to connecting with a wide network of academics, activists, NGOs, and writers to protect the environment through education, writing and advocacy, bringing impeccable, but accessible, science and solutions to the public and policy makers.

In addition to recent graduates, or those with experience at environmental NGOs, who have organized, coordinated, or worked with campuses, the Assistant Director of the RCCN also offers a unique opportunity for those wanting to transition from academia or educational associations to a position as a national public educator and advocate for the environment and for campus engagement. Examples might include recent graduate students, teaching assistants, lecturers, adjuncts, and junior faculty. Senior environmentalists at NGOs, or in academia, who, for whatever reason, are able and willing to work at compensation lower than larger more established institutions will also be considered.

The Assistant Director (or Associate Director or Director depending on experience) of the RCC Campus Network (RCCN), reports directly to the President & CEO and works collaboratively with other RCC staff. The position is meant to build and deepen the national RCC Campus Network with special attention to engaging faculty, as well as students, staff, and administrators. The Director should have broad knowledge and experience in climate justice and environmental health issues, on and off campus, such as fossil fuel divestment, clean and renewable energy, wood pellet production, and other false solutions to the climate crisis. She or he will enhance and expand RCC outreach, visibility, and membership growth through effective communications to the RCCN, members, and the public.