Senior Organizer

Senior Organizer

Permanent

Programs, Policy, and Advocacy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.  Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet. 

• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations. 
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 
• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions. 
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

The Position

Under the leadership of the Science Network Organizing Manager, the Senior Organizer will play a crucial role in shaping and executing the outreach, engagement, and leadership development of scientists and experts for UCS advocacy campaigns. Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams across UCS, the Senior Organizer will be instrumental in establishing a network of skilled scientists and experts who will serve as volunteer team leaders, driving support for UCS campaigns.  

Responsibilities

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies and others. 

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below. 

• On-boarding Volunteer Leaders: Support designing and actively lead the on-boarding process for new volunteer leaders into the UCS Distributed Organizing program. 
• Coaching: Cultivate 1:1 relationships with Science Network members, providing guidance as they build and lead new distributed volunteer teams. 
• Training and Facilitation: Conduct organizing and advocacy trainings, equipping volunteer leaders with the skills and frameworks necessary for establishing and sustaining effective distributed teams aligned with UCS campaign goals. 
• Equity and Justice Integration: Ensure racial equity and social justice considerations are integral in recruitment, training, and coaching activities. 
• Leadership Program Development: Collaborate with the Organizing Manager to conceive, develop, and implement leadership development programs for UCS Science Network members. 
• Volunteer Leader Recruitment: Recruit, cultivate, and organize experts for online and offline actions, emphasizing diverse identities and issue-based experience. 
• Event Participation: Organize and participate in webinars, trainings, and briefings, aligning events with campaign and programmatic goals. 
• Engagement: Contact Science Network members through various channels, fostering both online and offline engagement. 
• Promotion at Conferences: Participate in external conferences and events to promote UCS and the Science Network within the scientific, expert, and academic community. 
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with Program teams and the UCS Communications team to develop tailored outreach approaches and materials. 

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Work requires five to seven years of successful comparable and relevant experience in an outreach, organizing, campaign, or advocacy position. 
• Must have demonstrated competency in distributed organizing, campaign planning and execution. 
• Experience with organizing in and with marginalized communities is helpful; an understanding of racial equity and social justice issues is required. 
• The ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team is necessary. 
• A solid understanding of tools key to effective organizing such as social media, online organizing platforms, and Microsoft Office is preferred. 
• The position also requires strong writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills, the ability to coordinate collaborative activities and projects, the ability to pivot priorities as needed, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including representatives of marginalized communities, grassroots coalition partners and professionals who may be an expert and/or prominent in their fields. 

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

None 

BUDGET AUTHORITY 

None 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Little or no exertion; will require extended periods at a computer.
• Very occasional moving of heavy boxes may be requested but not required. 

HOURS 

Regular office hours may include occasional nights and weekends. 

TRAVEL 

Some overnight travel is required. Around 10-20% of time may be spent traveling. 

KEY WORDS 

Non-profit, Outreach, Advocacy, Organizing, Distributed Organizing, Justice, Social Justice, Campaign Strategy, Mobilizing. 

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Benefits

Details: This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $80,531 to $90,600. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

More about the team: Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires: For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.