Legislative and Organizing Intern

Job Title: Legislative & Organizing Intern

Department: Montana Chapter

Location: Missoula, MT

Reports to: Chapter Director 

Duration: an average of 10 hours/ week, for 6 months.

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The job activities outlined may be adjusted slightly based on the interests and  experience level of the candidate, as well as the evolving needs of the Chapter. The intern will  help with both program development and direct organizing, helping to engage more of our  statewide members and supporters in the Chapter’s advocacy, political, and lobbying programs,  via phone banking, text banking, 1-1 outreach, crafting action alerts, goal setting, and planning.

• Supporting the Montana Chapter legislative committee. Meets regularly with the Montana Chapter legislative committee and supports the  committee with administrative tasks, research help and fact sheet development, recruiting and organizing volunteers, and some involvement in directly representing the Montana Chapter’s positions at the legislature (by testifying in occasional hearings and contacting legislators). This role may also assist in planning and implementing trainings, phone banks, and text alerts as needed.
• Assisting with coalition work. This may include supporting our engagement with Common Good  Missoula and other coalition organizing efforts.
• Assisting with membership solicitation and occasional administrative tasks. 
• Crafting action alerts and social media posts. This may include helping or supporting the creation of occasional editorial pieces.  
• Helping with miscellaneous projects depending on interest/ relevant experience/ capacity. This might help with Beyond Coal and  Lands Water Wildlife work, including campaigns related to NorthWestern Energy and Colstrip coal plant, might  help with an ongoing Missoula organizing training cohort, might help with pursuing federal funds to assist in local and tribal environmental projects, and might help with researching and assisting in re-invigorating the Chapter outings program.

• Ability to interact positively with community residents, volunteers, staff and the public. Can communicate and collaborate respectfully.
• Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go
• Strong oral and written communication skills. This includes the ability to clearly explain complex issues and effectively communicate them to large groups of people.
• Computer proficiency. Prior experience with Google Drive, Zoom, and social media preferred.  

• Experience with at least one community organizing, mobilizing project, or political  campaign. 
• Some demonstrated skills in grassroots organizing or legislative/ political campaign work  (i.e. phone banking, canvassing, experience with one-on-one organizing conversations)Strong planning skills. 
• Demonstrated interest in the environment or related public interest issues. 
• Experience with building effective teams and supporting volunteers. 
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Applications will be accepted through December 9, 2024.