JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: CLIMATE & HEALTH PROGRAM ORGANIZER

Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR) is a 40-year-old, physician-led advocacy organization working to create a healthy, just, peaceful and sustainable world. We take on the gravest current threats to human health and survival – nuclear weapons, economic inequity, and a climate crisis driven by dependence on fossil fuels. Through its three issue-based programs, WPSR leverages the credible and trusted voice of healthcare professionals to educate the public, influence decision-makers, and promote public policies that support our mission — including local, state-level, and national action to address the climate crisis.

The Climate Program Organizer represents WPSR in leading, nationally renowned movements in Washington State to promote climate justice and a just transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. As a longstanding member of effective coalitions that drive equitable climate action in the Pacific Northwest, WPSR plays a unique role in bringing the credibility of health professionals to climate advocacy. The Climate Program Organizer engages WPSR members in grassroots advocacy to climate progress and engage the health care community to act on climate. This role includes liaising and close work with partner organizations, including environmental organizations, social justice groups, health care institutions, and organizations representing workers.

We’re seeking applicants who are ready to commit their time, talent, and passion for advocating, organizing, and mobilizing health professionals to be advocates in the fight against a climate crisis driven by fossil fuels. We look for smarts, organizing experience, and an eagerness to learn. We value leadership experience of all kinds, especially organizing, grassroots outreach, and building campus groups. Candidates must have excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects.

Primary Responsibilities

The Climate Program Organizer is responsible for leading and supporting all aspects of WPSR’s climate change program. This position reports to the Executive Director. Duties include:

  • Engaging and organizing members of the health care community across the state to act and advocate on behalf of climate action

  • Co-chairing the WPSR Climate and Health Task Force (usually with a member of the Board of Directors) and supporting the activities of Task Force members, and other volunteers in our network

  • Coordinating speaker trainings and providing ongoing advocacy opportunities and support to health professionals so they are prepared to speak about climate change as a health crisis

  • Serving as a liaison with partners, including representing WPSR in leadership and field teams of key coalitions: Stand Up to Oil, Power Past Fracked Gas, Protect Tacoma’s Tideflats, the Climate Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, and other climate policy/campaign coalitions

  • Keeping WPSR members informed about important climate-related news, research, and opportunities for action, through weekly emails and other communications

  • Researching, writing, and distributing information about climate change and health

  • Serving as a liaison for PSR’s national Climate and Health program

  • Coordinating, producing, and speaking at events, including WPSR and partner organization events, public hearings, and community forums

  • Communicate with elected officials to advocate for WPSR’s priorities

  • Lead the Climate & Health Program’s communications and media efforts, including writing press releases, supporting WPSR members to publish articles, and liaising with reporters

  • Maintain regular communication with WPSR supporters, providing timely and relevant opportunities related to climate change and health advocacy

Other Duties:

  • Supporting WPSR fundraising efforts related to sustaining the program and organization

  • Assisting with occasional organization-wide events, including annual WPSR fundraising dinner

Required Qualifications

  • Passionate about climate action and the power of grassroots activism to win policy change

  • At least 2 years of community organizing experience (examples could include a political campaign, campus organizing, etc.)

  • Undergraduate degree in relevant subject area

  • Demonstrated experience working with, supporting, and recruiting volunteers

  • Strong communications, facilitation, and writing skills

  • Familiarity with legislative and political processes in Washington, including state-level policymaking and local government processes

  • Team-player, excited about working in coalition with others and being a part of effective and diverse groups

  • Works well independently and exhibits initiative, resourcefulness, and drive

  • Strong listening and relationship-building values and skills

  • Prioritizes a lens of racial and gender equity, and confident in communicating about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues

Preferred qualifications

  • Familiarity with climate change and clean energy policy, especially in Washington

  • Demonstrated experience managing organizational communications and social media (ex. sending email action alerts, managing Facebook accounts, press releases, etc.)

  • Grant writing and experience liaising with foundations and individual donors

  • Experience with implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or plans

  • Experience representing an organization in a coalition advocating for policy change

  • Skilled in managing volunteer teams

  • Eager and willing to support the success of co-workers, colleagues, and the overall mission and needs of the organization

  • Master’s or other advanced degree in relevant subject area

Compensation: The salary range for this full-time, exempt position starts at $45,000, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.

Benefits: WPSR offers all full-time employees generous monthly stipends for health care, transportation, and use of personal technology. Employees have access to a pre-tax 401(k) withholding option. Paid leave starts at 2 weeks per year, and increases to 3 weeks after 2 years of continuous service, and to 4 weeks after 4 years. We proudly offer a highly collegial, collaborative, and inclusive work culture, with significant flexibility and strong support for work-life balance.

Deadline: Complete applications submitted with a thoughtful cover letter will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted via Indeed.com at the following link: https://www.indeed.com/job/climate-program-organizer-729872eed2fe7767. No phone calls please.

We seek to recruit and retain talented applicants from a diverse candidate pool. We especially welcome applicants who support our organization’s core values: science, sustainability, compassion, peace, justice, and equity. WPSR provides equal employment opportunities with no discrimination against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

Thank you for your interest! To learn more about our organization, please visit www.wpsr.org.