job: organizer

[colist-admin at comm-org.utoledo.edu]

[ed:  this job ad includes salary information.  Pesticide Watch is now also
linked from the COMM-ORG "Training and Technical Assistance" page.]

From: "Kelly Jerkins" <kellyjerkins at hotmail.com>

Pesticide Watch
Southern California Community Organizer
Los Angeles

Organizational Background
For nearly a decade, Pesticide Watch and Pesticide Watch Education Fund 
(PWEF) have been providing California communities with the tools they need 
to protect themselves and the environment from the hazards of pesticides. 
With regional organizers based in Santa Cruz, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San 
Francisco, PW staff provide on-the-ground organizing and strategy assistance 
to individuals and groups working to stop pesticide abuse and promote 
non-toxic alternatives on a wide range of issues- from parents and teachers 
fighting for a tough pesticide policy in the Los Angeles schools to people 
in the Central Valley fighting to protect their health from pesticides 
drifting from nearby fields into their homes and schools.

We also serve as a clearinghouse of information on the problems associated 
with pesticides and their non-toxic alternatives; and serve as regional 
coordinators for Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), a statewide 
coalition of over 130 organizations dedicated to turning the toxic tide of 
pesticide use in California.

Program Description
The Southern California Community Organizer is responsible for coordinating 
PWEF activities throughout the region. The Organizer will report to the 
Executive Director, based in San Francisco. Primary responsibilities 
include:

• Community Organizing. The main role of the Organizer is to provide 
organizing and strategy assistance to individuals and groups in Southern 
California working to eliminate hazardous pesticide use in their 
communities. The Organizer will work with community groups working on a 
range of pesticide issues, including pesticides in schools in Los Angeles 
and Orange County and agricultural pesticide use in Riverside County. The 
Organizer will provide assistance ranging from skills on how to work with 
the media and how to build coalitions to consultation on policy development.

• Los Angeles Safe Schools Campaign. The primary local campaign currently 
underway within the region is the fight to implement the Los Angeles Unified 
School District’s landmark pesticide policy. PWEF’s community organizer will 
assist in the coordination of the Los Angeles Safe School Coalition, 
comprised of fifteen LA-based organizations. The coalition is working on a 
number of organizing strategies, including outreach to communities of color 
within the district, mobilization around critical committee meetings, and 
research into the District’s progress in transitioning to less-toxic pest 
management practices.

• Coalition building. PWEF staff serve as regional coordinators for 
Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), a statewide coalition of over 130 
organizations. The Organizer will work throughout the region to build the 
coalition by recruiting new organizations and to mobilize organizations 
around key coalition activities, including action alerts, statewide 
meetings, and other critical statewide and local activities.

• Media. The Organizer will provide training and assistance to community 
groups working with the media and release periodic reports authored by CPR 
member groups.

• Fundraising. Working with the Executive Director, the Organizer will 
develop and implement a Southern California fundraising strategy, including 
grants and grassroots fund-raisers.

Qualifications
PWEF is looking for somebody with the following background:
• at least one year of grassroots organizing experience
• dedication to environmental protection and community-based activism
• strong communication skills
• ability to work with minimal supervision and to take initiative
• bilingual in Spanish is preferable
• ability to work some nights and weekends

Compensation: $18,000- $28,000, DOE, with benefits.

Availability: This position is open effective immediately

Application: Please submit a resume and cover letter to Gregg Small, 
Pesticide Watch, 450 Geary Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102.  For 
more information on Pesticide Watch, see our web site at 
www.pesticidewatch.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Women, people with disabilities, and 
people of color are encouraged to apply.