Environmental Justice Organizer
The Public Interest Law Center is seeking an Environmental Justice Organizer to work with the Public Interest Law Center’s environmental justice practice. The Public Interest Law Center (the Law Center) uses high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We use litigation, community education, advocacy and organizing to secure access to fundamental resources and services. You can learn more here: www.pubintlaw.org
The Organizer position is a one-year grant funded position and will be a full-time employee. This position will increase the capacity of the environmental justice team as they develop and implement organizing campaign strategies to achieve their goals, with an emphasis on the Garden Justice Legal Initiative. The organizer will help build and maintain relationships with community members, mobilize impacted residents around specific issues, engage in policy research and community education, monitor legislative and policy changes related to urban agriculture and environmental justice, and together with the community leaders, identify advocacy opportunities and implement strategies to achieve community goals. You can learn more here: https://www.pubintlaw.org/practice-area/environmental-justice/
The Environmental Justice Organizer position will begin as soon as practicable. The Organizer will report to an Environmental Justice/Housing attorney. Ideally the successful candidate will have the following preferred qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
• 1-3 years’ community, faith-based or labor organizing experience as paid staff or core volunteer
• An understanding of systemic inequities, a commitment to racial justice and environmental justice, and relevant lived experience
• Experience facilitating and developing trainings for individuals with diverse lived experiences
• Experience with, and/or enthusiastic interest in, policy analysis
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the legislative process
• Experience working with teams
• Proven ability to develop and implement a successful campaign strategy, manage relationships, manage largescale projects, move people to action, and build consensus
• High degree of emotional intelligence
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite and digital databases
Core Responsibilities:
• Provide organizing support to existing campaigns and projects through the Garden Justice Legal Initiative including ongoing efforts to reduce the statutory period for adverse possession to ten years, to eliminate bank liens on gardens, and to press for significant improvements to the operations of the Philadelphia Land Bank
• Manage and facilitate Vacant Land 215 programming
• Recruit residents in Philadelphia to support the Law Center’s efforts to address air and noise nuisances from auto body shops and junkyards operating in their community through flyering, door to door outreach, hosting meetings, and facilitating workshops
• Engage stakeholders in supporting environmental justice campaigns and legislation
• Together with the Environmental Justice team, plan, organize and facilitate a conference on various cities’ approaches to preserving and promoting gardens and urban green space
• Participate in Law Center strategies and initiatives
Work Environment
This position operates in a hybrid office environment as well as off-site locations. Applicant must be located in the Philadelphia area and available some evenings and weekends.
The Law Center does require that all employees, including new employees, be fully vaccinated. The Law Center will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at time of hire. If you require more information on our policy, please contact us.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a one-year grant funded position. The salary range for this position is commensurate with desired experience level—in an ideal candidate, $45, 000 to $50,000 annually. The Law Center offers a generous benefits and leave package.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Public Interest Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring a workforce that embraces and embodies the values of inclusion, belonging, cultural humility and mutual respect. We are eager to receive applications from people of all diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to, people of color, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Law Center invites all applicants to include in their letter of interest a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our organization and legal practice.
The Law Center is committed to protecting the safety of children.
How to Apply
Please submit via email a resume, a letter of interest that describes your relevant experience and why you would be a good fit for this position at the Law Center and contact information for at least three professional references to: Leanne Almeida, Program Coordinator: lalmeida@pubintlaw.org. If possible, please format your materials as a single PDF file.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to candidates who submit their application by December 15, 2022.