Preservation Advocate

Environment Oregon: We all want clean air, clean water and open spaces, but it takes independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results for our environment, especially when powerful interests stand in the way of environmental progress. That's the idea behind Environment Oregon. We focus exclusively on protecting Oregon's air, water and open spaces. We speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of our environment and our lives.
In addition to being a leading voice for Oregon’s environment in Portland and throughout the state, Environment Oregon is part of a federal of state-based environmental advocacy groups that make up Environment America. Our Washington, DC advocacy office represents the Environment America federation in federal policy matters. Our roots at the state level give Environment America a unique “outside the beltway” perspective on the issues, while our state staff, national field organizers and members across all 50 states provide the grassroots power necessary to enact change at the federal level.

Job Description: Environment Oregon is seeking an experienced advocate to work on preservation campaigns. The Preservation Advocate is responsible for managing priority campaigns for greater expansion of wilderness areas in Oregon, protecting Oregon’s rivers and cleaning up Oregon’s beaches and coast. Job responsibilities will include overall campaign management and development, research, policy analysis, writing, media, fundraising, coalition building, and grassroots organizing.

Oregon boasts one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Over the last 40 years, Environment Oregon has helped win substantial victories to protect Oregon’s most special places like the Mt. Hood Wilderness Area and the Wild & Scenic Metolious River Basin, and to enact policies like the country’s first Bottle Bill and Oregon’s first plastic bag ban. Today the last of our precious wilderness is under threat. Polluters continue putting our iconic species at risk by sacrificing our waterways and landscapes. Now more than ever, Oregon needs to protect our quality of life and open space for future generations.

The Advocate will lead Environment Oregon’s preservation work on behalf of our 30,000 members, continuing our long legacy of achieving protections for our state’s special places. They will be the face and voice for our preservation work in the media, in coalitions, in Washington DC, in the Oregon State Capitol, and in communities around the state. While the Advocate will be responsible for lobbying, research, and citizen outreach for the Preservation program, the position is rooted in core principles of community organizing. Applicants should have a deep appreciation for mobilizing the public to achieve environmental victories.

Responsibilities Include (partial list):

Programmatic Duties
• Continue Environment Oregon’s history of running effective and winning preservation campaigns.
• Package campaigns, layout and execute strategic plans for winning real change for Oregon’s environment as it relates to energy issues.
• Lobby and develop relationships with Oregon’s local, state and federal elected officials and be a leader within the state preservation community.
• Work closely with a broad base of coalition partners to more effectively push for protecting Oregon’s open space, rivers and coast.
• Write at least 1-2 research reports per year and release at least 3-4 per year.
• Write articles for quarterly newsletter, weekly email alerts and annual report.
• Guide development of public messages and materials for campaigns.
• Create and execute effective media strategies for each of our campaigns including report releases, editorial board outreach, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
• Work with citizen outreach team to launch grassroots campaigns that further the preservation program’s goals by involving the public.

Staff Management & Organization Building
• Work with fellow staff of advocates, associates, organizers and administrators to achieve the immediate and long-term goals of the organization.
• Directly oversee an entry-level staff associate.
• Work with others to recruit new staff to build Environment Oregon for the long-haul.
• Help create a sense of team within the organization/office.

Fundraising
• Raise money from foundations throughout the year.
• Run and participate in at least three major donor drives per year.

Qualifications
Candidates must have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. Preference is given to past work in political, policy, non-profit management or government settings. The Advocate must be an organized and goal-driven individual. Excellent communications skills and a proven track record of success are all critical.

Salary and Benefits
Salary for this position is commensurate with a candidate’s relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. A competitive benefits package includes health care coverage, a retirement plan, educational loan assistance, maternity or paternity leave and sick days.

Location
Portland, Oregon

To Apply
Submit a compelling cover letter and resume online at http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/page/amr/experienced-candidate-applic.... If you have questions, please contact sarah@EnvironmentOregon.org. Please specify which position you are applying for in the subject line of the e-mail, and be sure to mention where you saw our job advertised. Deadline to apply: June 15th, 2012.

Environment Oregon is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.