Job Description

Northern Plains is a grassroots organization of people from the plains and mountains, cities and towns. We are everyday Montanans who love where we live. We stand up, shoulder-to-shoulder, to protect this place we all call home.

We believe that true prosperity begins with healthy land, water, and air. We believe that our families, farms, ranches, schools, businesses, governments, and communities thrive when we are good stewards of these resources. We believe that if we look beyond our fences, listen to one another, and keep our minds open, we will find creative solutions to secure a clean, healthful environment for all.

We are working toward a future where we live in harmony with nature, where our economy serves the people rather than the people serving the economy, where neighbors work side-by-side to build a world that lives up to our ideals of fairness, inclusion, and justice.

For 50 years, Northern Plains Resource Council has helped Montanans organize to protect water quality, family farms and ranches, and our unique quality of life.

LOCATION: Billings, Montana.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Each of our organizers works with Northern Plains’ grassroots membership as a whole, with our local affiliates (mostly in small, rural communities), and with our issue task forces to further the mission of Northern Plains. As a Northern Plains organizer, you won’t be tied to a desk, you’ll meet lots of people, and you’ll make change happen at the grassroots level.

This particular organizer works most closely on our Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA), a formal agreement between Northern Plains and two platinum/palladium mines in Stillwater and Sweet Grass Counties, Montana. It’s an unusual job and a rare opportunity to sit at the table with a large mining company, help our members advocate for themselves and their communities, and help protect an important watershed.

This role does not require technical expertise, but it does require some level of interest in technical information – water quality reports and the like. You’ll be supported by three professional technical consultants who provide the expertise.

During non-pandemic times, overnight travel averages perhaps 2-3 times a month for this position.

This is very much a “people” job.

This is a permanent, salaried, and exempt position.

Check out our website for more information on this position, our organization, and our staff: https://www.northernplains.org/about-us/careers/ .

PRIMARY DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Alongside our grassroots membership, plan, coordinate, and implement strategy around the activities of the Stillwater and East Boulder Mines;
• Serve as the initial point of contact for the Good Neighbor Agreement;

• Identify and develop community leaders;
• Train members in organizational skills;
• Help our members design and execute successful campaigns;
• Organize and run effective meetings and events;
• Communicate clearly, orally and in writing;
• Participate in grassroots fundraising efforts;
• Recruit new members to Northern Plains;
• Generate turnout for events;
• Help members make contact with public officials and the press.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to Northern Plains’ issues and values.
• Commitment to the democratic process, including a willingness to hear diverse opinions and to work to build consensus among groups.
• A tolerance for conflict.
• An interest and willingness to engage with technical and scientific information (expertise is not required, but some interest is!).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to get along well with people from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of personalities.
• Strong speaking and writing skills.
• Ability to travel and be away overnight (on average 2-3 times per month).
• Ability to lift equipment up to 50 lbs, stand or walk for long periods of time, and work in all weather conditions.
• Willingness to work long hours when needed.

Also helpful, but not required:

• Experience as a community organizer working with diverse coalitions for social change.
• Familiarity with environmental and agricultural issues, or familiarity with broader movements for social, economic, and environmental justice
• Experience with the media and fundraising.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

$45,000 starting salary; health insurance; 4 weeks paid vacation; work from home options; retirement benefits, 8 paid holidays; 5 weeks paid sick leave; paid parental leave, flex time; opportunity for professional development and advancement; opportunity for sabbatical after 5 years of employment.

TO APPLY:

Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.

Email the following to Caitlin Cromwell, Deputy Director of Organizing and Campaigns, at [email protected]:

• Cover letter (tell us why you want the job);
• Resume;
• Contact information for 3 professional references.

How to Apply

Please email the following to Caitlin Cromwell, Deputy Director of Organizing and Campaigns, at [email protected]:

• Cover letter (tell us why you want this job)
• Resume
• Contact info for three professional references

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: climate change, conservation, energy, farm, and Montana. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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