Job Description

Work for a cleaner, greener, healthier North Carolina

If you’re looking to make a meaningful, long-lasting impact on the environmental challenges we’re facing today, apply to be the Environment North Carolina Field Associate, part of the Environment America Fellowship Program.

You can learn more: here.

You’ll work to protect the Outer Banks, preserve the Blue Ridge, and promote clean, homegrown renewable energy.

From the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the rolling hills of the Piedmont, to the Outer Banks, North Carolina’s natural beauty is famous. Our high quality of life is a point of pride for long-time residents and newcomers alike. But the threats our air, water, and renowned natural areas are great. Gas companies are eager to open the state to a dangerous form of gas drilling called “fracking” which could pollute the Deep River, Jordan Lake, and the drinking water supplies of millions. Oil companies have their sights set on the Outer Banks. We’re far from realizing our potential for using clean, abundant homegrown energy sources like wind and solar. And polluters and their allies in the General Assembly are angling, now more than ever, to undo the state’s existing protections against air and water pollution.

The Field Associate will lead our efforts to win votes on our top priority environmental campaigns and to expand and deepen our political network. You’ll learn how to research and identify effective solutions to critical environmental problems and how to build and mobilize powerful local constituencies to get behind your campaigns. You’ll lobby lawmakers; publish opinion pieces in major newspapers and on key websites; set up and speak at news conferences; organize town hall meetings and rallies; and run canvass campaigns to educate the public, build membership and raise money for our work. You’ll recruit interns, activists, and staff to work alongside you.

You’ll work with one of the leading environmental groups in North Carolina

Environment North Carolina is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy group. Our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for North Carolina's environment. Environment North Carolina draws on nearly 40 years of success in tackling top environmental problems. We have led efforts to protect our beaches from offshore drilling, increase our use of clean, renewable energy, and much more. Learn more about the changes we’ve made at www.environmentnorthcarolina.org/results

Environment North Carolina is a part of the Environment America federation, a federation of 29 state-based environmental advocacy groups. Each year, Environment America hires passionate, talented and committed college graduates to join our two-year Fellowship Program. If you’re hired to be the Environment North Carolina Field Associate, you will be a member of the 2011-2013 Fellowship Program. Over the last decade, fellows have worked side-by-side with our most experienced advocates and organizers to make a real difference for the environment.

You’ll make an immediate impact

If you’re hired, you’ll learn to plan and run strategic campaigns. You’ll learn how to identify effective solutions to the state’s biggest environmental problems, and organize public support for your campaigns. You’ll organize town hall meetings and rallies; get your message out by writing opinion pieces and getting them printed in major newspapers and on key websites; set up and speak at news conferences; lobby lawmakers; and run citizen outreach campaigns to educate the public, build membership and raise money for our work. You’ll recruit interns, activists, and staff to work alongside you. Bottom line: You’ll make a real difference.

You’ll get great training

You’ll learn by participating in classroom-style trainings throughout the year. You’ll get guidance and feedback from your staff director, and work alongside some of the state and nation’s top environmental advocates and organizers. Past fellows will tell you, though, that you will learn the most through hands-on experience.

The Fellowship is only the beginning

After just two years of hard work, you’ll have the skills and experience to take on even more leadership here at Environment North Carolina– running your own program or leading the charge on a new issue – or elsewhere in the Environment America federation or the broader environmental community.

Location

Raleigh, North Carolina

Qualifications

Environment North Carolina is seeking candidates who are ready to commit their time, skills and passion to political action on behalf of the environment. We’re looking for people who understand that we need to build and wield political power if we’re going to make a real difference for the planet. Our Fellowship Program is not for everybody. It’s tough, demanding and the challenges never stop coming at you. We look for smarts, academic excellence, leadership experience, top-notch written and verbal skills, and an eagerness to learn. If you’ve worked with an environmental or political group before, even better.

Salary and Benefits

As a recent graduate, you’ll earn $23,750 in your first year and $24,250 in your second year of the Fellowship. You’re eligible to opt into our group health plan. You accrue two weeks of paid vacation over the course of your first year, and an additional three weeks in your second year. You’re eligible to apply for college loan assistance after your third month, and to participate in our 401 (k) plan at the end of your first year. 

How to learn more and apply

You can learn more: here.

You can complete our online application: here.

Position Starts:
This position starts at the national training in early August and continues though August 2014.  Positions available immediately in other locations.

Application deadline: February 17.
Contact Elizabeth Ouzts, State Director, with any questions, at 919 833 0015 x101 or Elizabeth@environmentnorthcarolina.org.

Environment America and all Environment America-affiliated organizations are equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

This is a Work for Progress recruitment campaign conducted on behalf of Environment North Carolina.