Background

Sierra Nevada Alliance (SNA), a conservation organization based in South Lake Tahoe, CA., is looking for an experienced, professional candidate to lead 30×30  engagement and prioritization for the Sierra Nevada region. The Sierra Nevada Organizer will work closely with the Executive Director and an advisory committee to lead this important initiative.

On October 7, 2020, California Governor Newsom signed into law N-82-20, an Executive Order on Biodiversity and Climate Change, with the objective of conserving a minimum of 30 percent of California’s land and waters by 2030. This visionary effort, known as 30×30, will put us on a path to ensure that future generations can enjoy our natural spaces and help California thrive in the face of climate change. California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) published a “Pathways to Reach 30×30” (“Pathways Report”) in December 2021. In addition to a Pathways Report with strong support for biodiversity and equity, achieving 30×30 will require significant long-term funding for acquisition, management and restoration, as well as to building capacity with Tribes governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and land trusts. In the Sierra Nevada region in particular, strengthening protection and management of federally-managed public lands and freshwater are key to a successful 30×30 effort. The Sierra is ground zero for climate and biodiversity in many ways, as wildfire and drought are hitting this area first.

Success will require raising the profile of 30×30 and building statewide and regional support. Key to this are regional campaigns supporting local efforts to protect, restore or better manage lands and waters. This work will be guided by a diverse regional working group optimally including local conservation groups, Indigenous-led organizations, environmental and social justice advocates, land trusts, and recreational use groups. The working group will identify and support 30×30 priorities in the region and work on outreach and engagement strategies to build political support for 30×30 in the Sierra and build new partnerships with Tribes. In the Sierra Nevada, regular strengthening, protection, and management of federally-managed public lands, private lands, and water resources are crucial to success.

Location:   Within the Sierra Nevada Region, NV/CA

Remote (work from home available) or position can work out of Sierra Nevada Alliance office in South Lake Tahoe, California. Occasional travel will be required within and around the geographic region of the Sierra (Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Alpine, Mono, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Inyo, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, or Kern counties).

Scope: The organizer is responsible for coordinating the Sierra Nevada 30×30 working group in conjunction with statewide and the Sierra Nevada working group leadership. The organizer will help provide leadership to coalition partners and provide advice, direction, support, and guidance to the Sierra Nevada 30×30 coalition. The organizer will lead on outreach and engagement efforts to build regional support for 30×30, including supporting work with governmental agencies, including federal land managers, and creating new partnerships with Tribes and social and environmental justice advocates.

Specific tasks:

Organizing/campaign planning:

• Work with Sierra Nevada working group leaders to develop and implement regional organizing plans tiering off statewide efforts.
• Evaluate changing conditions and modify plans accordingly.
• Track progress against regional and state campaign plans.

Coalition building:

• Support a broad and diverse 30×30 regional working group that includes land trusts, Indigenous leadership, environmental justice organizations, recreational access interests, and partners.
• Collaborate with the multiple Sierra-based coalitions already working in the region to leverage their knowledge and engagement.
• Help research, identify, and bring in new partners through meetings.
• Identify social and environmental justice issues to support and meet with social justice partners.
• Make the Sierra Nevada working groups a welcoming place for all partners, particularly those newer to conservation, by setting and enforcing healthy norms and ground rules.
• Together with the regional leaders, share guidance and information from statewide campaigns to regional groups and share issues and work products from the region.
• Co-facilitate bi-weekly calls or identify rotating facilitators and notetakers and disseminate meeting notes to regional coalition partners.
• Share other relevant information to Sierra Nevada working group members through the Sierra Nevada listserv.

Project coordination and project management:

• Coordinate with partners on developing and maintaining a comprehensive list of Sierra Nevada 30×30 priorities for the Sierra Nevada working group.
• Regularly report to partners and staff on progress, Sierra Nevada working group needs or concerns and other updates.
• Co-facilitate calls or identify rotating facilitators and notetakers and disseminate meeting notes to regional coalition partners.
• Schedule, support, and attend check-in calls with Sierra Nevada Working Group co-leads.

Communications:

• In collaboration with the communications committee and the Sierra Nevada working group partners, implement critical regional media outreach plans.
• In collaboration with the communications committee and Sierra Nevada working group, create and disseminate regional social media generating hits.
• In collaboration with the communications committee and Sierra Nevada working group, write OpEds and news stories support placement.
• Identify spokespeople.

Outreach:

• Help Sierra Nevada working group identify grasstops targets and opportunities to build support and visibility around 30×30.
• Help identify opportunities to support Tribal partners.
• Attend meetings and present on 30×30.
• Schedule meetings with grasstops targets, provide support materials, and coach and prepare coalition partners for meetings.
• Schedule, attend, and support meetings with federal land managers.

Required knowledge & skills:

• B.A./B.S. degree.
• 3 + years experience as a field Organizer, or in a comparable position in grassroots conservations campaigns, including strategy, grassroots organizing, lobbying, communications, and social media.
• Demonstrated effective oversight in implementing campaign plans.
• Knowledge of the social justice and environmental fields in California.
• Knowledge of the Sierra region.
• Cultural competence and experience working in a range of communities.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate.
• Experience working in coalition.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Political sense and/or experience in working with the government, Sierra Nevada preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail, proactive approach to problem-solving, and ability to assist with multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Highly motivated with the ability to be a self-starter and work independently.
• Preference for English-Spanish bilingual candidates.
• Skills and experience with social media.

Compensation: This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly position. Competitive wage dependent on experience and qualifications (starting range, $50,000-$60,000). Full healthcare benefits including dental and vision coverage. Flexible work location within the Sierra Nevada region, with the option to work remotely from home. Two weeks paid vacation to start, including federal holidays, and 8 hours of sick days accrued each month.

How to Apply:

All submissions are confidential and reviewed in an unbiased manner for selection. Please direct cover letter and resume to Jenny Hatch, Executive Director, jobs@sierranevadaalliance.org. Apply via email and include a sample of your writing as a cover letter, resume, and at least three references, two of which should be managers or supervisors. We intend to fill this important and open position promptly. All qualified applicants we be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. The Sierra Nevada Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.  The application process will continue until the position is filled.

The Sierra Nevada Alliance (SNA) has been protecting and restoring Sierra land, water, wildlife and communities since 1993. SNA unites individuals and groups behind a common goal of protecting and restoring the natural values of the Sierra Nevada for future generations while promoting sustainable communities. For more on our programs and organization, visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org.