Rural Faith Organizer
Position Title: Rural Faith Organizer
Type of Employment: Ongoing, Full Time, Salaried, Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Flexible location in Iowa
Immediate Opening: April 2022
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light is seeking a full-time Rural Faith Organizer to work in rural Iowa communities to expand our farmer, faith leader, and supporter outreach. This is a fully remote position with the hope that candidates will live in and be fully invested in rural Iowa, and have an agricultural background.This position will require frequent travel by car through Iowa to meet with communities, and include in-state overnight travel on occasion.
Organization Background:
The mission of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light (Iowa IPL) is to empower people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. Founded in 2006, Iowa IPL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and part of the national Interfaith Power & Light movement. We are a statewide organization mobilizing people of faith and conscience to become leaders in the movement for climate action. Iowa IPL envisions a world where we live in right relationship with our neighbors and planet. You can learn more about us at iowaipl.org.
Scope of Responsibility:
Join our dynamic and growing organization as we work together to empower Iowans to take bold and justice climate action in rural Iowa. The Rural Faith Organizer works with the Executive Director to conduct a range of activities that support the mission of Iowa IPL and will focus on our Faith Farms & Climate programming. The Rural Faith Organizer will work with key stakeholders, including faith leaders, farmers, people of faith, congregations, faith-based organizations, Iowa colleges and campus organizations, clean energy businesses, non-traditional allies, and coalition partners to advance solutions to climate change in Iowa. Priority areas will include the region where the Rural Faith Organizer lives.
Key activities include: outreach, education and coalition-building; cultivating appropriate messengers to engage with policymakers and the media; working with Executive Director to create and deploy outreach strategy including social media posts, blog posts, and other written materials; coordinating with partner organizations and coalitions; and hosting/convening public events.
Description of Duties:
- Expand outreach to rural farmers and faith leaders through Faith Farms & Climate programming.
- Develop, implement, and manage outreach and education activities focused on clean energy deployment in Iowa including wind, solar, energy efficiency, EVs, and other efforts that reduce climate pollution like empowering Iowa farmers to lead in climate change solutions.
- Develop, implement, and manage outreach and education activities focused on clean water, healthy soil, and regenerative agricultural practices.
- Coordinate and facilitate meetings with key stakeholders.
- Implement a communications strategy using Iowa IPL electronic tools and leveraging social and traditional media focusing on rural communities.
- Write educational materials in our four program areas: Called To Climate Action; Teaching and Preaching; Faith Farms and Climate; and Clean Energy Advocacy.
- Perform public outreach efforts to engage stakeholders in our mission.
- Plan events such as Faith Farms & Climate programming, workshops, advocacy events, and press conferences.
- Willingness and ability to independently travel to meet with individuals and organizations and attend meetings statewide.
- Public speaking.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required:
- A passion for environmental justice and systems change.
- Commitment to and respect for religious diversity.
- Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects while working fully remote.
- Excellent communication skills; proven ability to write and speak in a clear and compelling fashion, including public speaking experience.
- Ability to integrate communication strategies across multiple platforms including social media, website, and electronic advocacy tools.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with diverse groups of people to seek common ground.
- Self-motivation and initiative. Able to work independently.
- An eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.
- Previous experience and proven success in bringing stakeholders together to strategically advance shared goals.
- Willingness and ability to travel and meet independently with individuals and organizations and attend meetings statewide; must have a car/valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Flexible daytime and weekend schedule to attend meetings and other events as needed.
Desirable:
- Prior related organizing work experience.
- Existing relationships with key stakeholders identified above.
- Farming or agriculture background and/or experience.
- Experience working in a non-profit setting with a mission-driven staff and board.
- Degrees and/or experience in related fields such as religion, political science, environmental education, communications, social marketing, etc.
Compensation:
$45,000-55,000 per year depending on experience, 80 hours PTO, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement matching, and health insurance including vision and dental.
Apply:
To apply, please attach a cover letter and resume in an email to Iowa IPL at info@iowaipl.org with “Rural Faith Organizer” as the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Iowa IPL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law.