Position Announcement: “CLIMATE & HEALTH” ORGANIZER

Position Announcement:


“CLIMATE & HEALTH” ORGANIZER

Chesapeake Chapter, Physicians for Social Responsibility

Location: Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD

PSR, the largest physician-led organization in the U.S. working against climate change, nuclear weapons, and environmental degradation, seeks a part-time (50% time) Climate & Health Organizer to work with our Baltimore-Chesapeake chapter. This is ground-breaking, transformative work in addressing climate and energy issues, among the most important health and environmental issues we face today.

About PSR:

Guided by the values and expertise of medicine and public health, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) works to protect human life from the gravest threats to health and survival.

Among its primary goals, PSR asserts a strong medical voice to slow and stop global warming.

PSR is a national membership organization comprised of 40,000 members and activists in a network of 21 chapters nationwide. PSR-mobilized physicians, other health professionals, medical students and concerned citizens press for a safer, healthier and more peaceful world.



Chesapeake PSR engages the broad health community on issues including climate change, militarism, nuclear arms and nuclear energy, using outreach, education and advocacy as tools to achieve its goals. The chapter is based in Baltimore. It serves Baltimore and, to some extent, the state of Maryland.



About the Position:



The Climate Change Organizer will recruit, train and engage health professionals to join Chesapeake PSR and address issues related to climate change, such as energy efficiency, cleaner transportation policy, and renewable energy. The Organizer will also help build a healthy, sustainable chapter.



The Climate Organizer will work with the Chesapeake chapter to identify key issues and opportunities for climate change action; prepare educational materials (or adapt existing materials); and reach out to medical and health professionals and support and facilitate their training and engagement on climate-related issues. In addition, with training and support from the national PSR staff, the Organizer will learn the skills and responsibilities necessary to manage a small nonprofit organization. Over the course of one to two years, the Organizer will assume responsibility for assisting the Chesapeake chapter in strengthening its fundraising, outreach and administrative capacity, with a goal of having a steady and growing force of activist physicians and other health professionals. Growing the chapter will help create a financial basis for a future full-time organizer/ administrator for Chesapeake PSR.



The position will require travel between Washington, DC and Baltimore. During the first year, the employee will be based in Washington D.C. and will travel periodically to Baltimore. This will shift in the future. The primary location of the job will eventually be Baltimore, and supervision will be assumed by the Chesapeake chapter’s board of directors.



Essential Functions:



• Recruit doctors, nurses, and public health professionals to work effectively for policy changes in Maryland on issues related to clean energy and climate change.

• Organize training opportunities where PSR chapter members will build health professionals’ advocacy skills.

• Support chapter members in such tasks as testifying at hearings and briefings, presenting in public events, and generating earned media (letters to the editor, op-eds, etc.).

• Work with chapter leadership and key organizational allies to identify meaningful opportunities to bring the medical voice to significant audiences.

• Promote the activities and accomplishments of the chapter through frequent updates to the chapter web page, social media, media releases, and other outreach. Communicate with chapter membership and send regular e-alerts.

• Learn and assume the skills and responsibilities necessary to manage a small nonprofit organization. These include budgeting, fundraising, tax and other filings, and working with and supporting the chapter board.

• In coordination with Chesapeake chapter members, play a leadership role in raising funds to support the operating and programmatic goals of Chesapeake PSR.



Supervision and Key Relationships:



In year 1, the Climate Organizer reports to the Director of Environment & Health in the national PSR office in Washington. In addition, s/he will work closely with the PSR Associate Director in Washington and with leading activists in the Chesapeake chapter in Baltimore.



Qualifications and Experience:



The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:



• Strong leadership skills, including an engaging and energetic personality and the ability to inspire and motivate volunteers.

• Ability to work with health professionals and to nurture them in activism to further the goals of Chesapeake PSR.

• Three to five years of experience working in non-profit advocacy, including organizing, outreach, volunteer training, member communications and fundraising.

• Demonstrable knowledge of or interest in the public health impacts of global warming and coal-fired electricity generation, and the public health benefits of sustainable energy policies.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Competence using MS Office Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

• Willingness to learn and exercise the skills necessary for nonprofit administration.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g. public health, nursing, environmental sciences) or equivalent experience is preferred.

Terms



This is a part-time (50% time) position. Some evening hours are required for meetings. This is a one-year position with an option of renewal, subject to satisfactory work and funding. The position may grow to be full-time in the future.



Salary is commensurate with experience. PSR offers excellent benefits and an intellectually stimulating workplace with passionate, dedicated colleagues. The Washington, DC office is located near Metro.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and salary requirements, resume, and three supervisory references to employment@psr.org. Please include “Climate Change Organizer” in the subject line. Applications accepted until position is filled. No calls please. Equal Opportunity Employer.