Associate Director
Type of Employment: Ongoing, Full Time, Salaried, Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: 505 5th Ave. Suite 333, Des Moines, Iowa with option of working remotely in state
Immediate Opening: October 2023 with priority given to applicants submitted by Nov. 3rd, 2023
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 the climate crisis. 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.
Scope of Responsibility
Join our dynamic and growing organization as we work together to expand climate action in Iowa. The Associate Director works with the Executive Director to conduct a range of activities that support the mission. They will work with key stakeholders, including faith leaders, people of faith, congregations, farmers, non-traditional allies, and coalition partners to advance solutions to climate change in Iowa.
Key activities include rural programming, outreach, and policy education; traveling across the state to meet with supporters; cultivating appropriate messengers to engage with policymakers and the media; working with Executive Director to create and deploy outreach and development strategy; coordinate Iowa IPL partners and houses of worship; and host/convene public events.
Duties
- Lead Faith Farms & Climate programming and ensure grant deliverables.
- Develop, implement, and manage outreach and policy focused on clean water, soil health, climate-smart agriculture, and other efforts that reduce climate pollution.
- Manage and mentor policy and advocacy program associate position.
- Strengthen and expand existing coalitions and key stakeholders.
- Represent organization at coalition roundtables and other public facing meetings.
- Assist Executive Director in strategic initiatives, day-to-day operations, and special projects.
- Willingness and ability to independently travel to meet with individuals and organizations and attend meetings statewide consistently.
- Public speaking.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- 3-5 years of prior related or similar work experience.
- A passion for environmental justice and systems change.
- Commitment to and respect for religious diversity.
- Strong organizational skills; ability to manage staff and multiple projects.
- Excellent communication skills; proven ability to write and speak in a clear and compelling fashion, including public speaking experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with diverse groups of people to seek common ground.
- Self-motivation and initiative. Able to work independently.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, small team environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel and meet independently with individuals and organizations and attend meetings statewide at least once to twice a month; must have valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Flexible daytime and weekend schedule to attend meetings and other events as needed.
Desirable
- 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, agriculture, communications, etc.
Compensation
$55,000-60,000 per year depending on experience, 120 hours PTO, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement matching, and health insurance including vision and dental.
Apply
To apply, please attach a cover letter including why you are called to climate action and resume in an email to Iowa IPL’s Executive Director Irene DeMaris at idemaris@iowapl.org with “Associate Director Application” as the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Applicants need not meet 100% of the qualifications to apply. Iowa IPL would like to encourage all those interested to apply, regardless of if all required qualifications are met.
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.