Political & Civic Engagement Coordinator

Position Summary

The Political & Civic Engagement Coordinator position is an exciting opportunity to assist and help implement Washington Conservation Action’s (WCA) candidate collaboration and civic engagement programs to increase the number of advocates for environmental justice who run for office and increase voter participation. This position partners with the Political & Civic Engagement Senior Manager and Director on the implementation and direction of the Political Program and projects. They will be assisting and implementing internal campaigns and external research projects and campaigns. The position will collaborate on work and campaign plans, partner with coalitions, and build external relationships with community members, potential candidates, and partners. This position will play a critical role in assisting with strengthening the organization’s commitment to racial equity and environmental justice through implementation of new areas of work and analysis of where the political and civic engagement programs need to bring a stronger equity lens to the work. 

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies and pushes for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.

In January 2023 Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental council unified under a shared brand—Washington Conservation Action. This evolution as organizations builds on our 50 years of work and history of bringing people together to solve Washington’s most critical environmental issues. We develop, advocate, and defend policies that ensure environmental progress and justice by centering and amplifying the voices of the most impacted communities. Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) partner organization. Together, we advance a shared vision for a Washington state where nature and people live in balance for the flourishing of all.

Washington Conservation Action is based in downtown Seattle. Our team of nearly 50 staff works in a flexible hybrid model, with most staff in the office two days a week for collaboration and celebration. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support hybrid work. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference. We are committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes Warm Springs, Oregon.

Responsibilities

Political & Civic Engagement

• Collaborate with, and research potential candidates to run for office
• Assist with research, collection, and storage of candidate information in appropriate databases
• Assist with candidate trainings and learnings
• Assist with activities for endorsed candidates in priority areas
• Assist with creation of presentations for internal and external meetings
• Lead scheduling of candidate endorsement interviews
• Ensure principles of tribal sovereignty, racial and social equity are infused in our political and civic engagement work

Organizational

• Participate in a racial equity team and work with internal teams on equity projects within the organization
• Assist with organizational events as needed, including recruitment and in-person attendance and support

Required Skills 

• 1+ years’ experience with local, state or federal campaigns, including volunteer experience
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize and motivate individuals to achieve goals
• Demonstrated experience recruiting individuals to support an organization
• Excellent verbal and written skills, creative presentation skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and strong editing skills
• Ability to work independently and follow through
• Experience working within BIPOC communities
• Some project management skills including the ability to produce quality outcomes in a timely manner.
• Collaborate across teams within our organizations to transform away from oppressive organizational systems and practices
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule that will include some evening and weekend work.
• A valid driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one, and ability to travel to different parts of Washington as needed, up to 40% of your work time. You will be reimbursed for approved travel costs.

Desirable Skills 

• Some knowledge of Coordinated election work on campaigns (canvassing/phone banking etc.)
• Some experience developing and nurturing transformational relationships
• Some knowledge and relationships with a wide landscape of BIPOC-led groups
• Experience using customer relationship manager (CRM) databases like Salesforce

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full time, non-exempt position with a salary of $59,000. We also offer a generous benefits package including 100% employer paid medical and dental premiums, 401k plan and organizational match of up to 3% of your annual salary, a Flexible Spending Account, four weeks of paid vacation, ample sick leave, 13 paid holidays per year, an unlimited ORCA transit pass, professional development and if you work for five consecutive years you are eligible for a two-month paid sabbatical. We welcome new and diverse people to a great team who together shape environmental protection in Washington.

Location Information

This position is hybrid (minimum of once a week in the Seattle office) but we will consider an option for being fully remote for those located within Washington State, but outside of mass transit options to our Seattle office. We expect this job will involve occasional travel to in-person meetings and staff gatherings at the discretion of the supervisor.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This job requires frequent sitting. Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. For remote work, employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work during scheduled work hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position. Washington Conservation Action and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is a unionized employer represented by Communications Workers of America Local 7800. This is a represented position.

COVID-19

The organization follows all requirements of local health authorities. We work in hybrid remote work model with staff working from home in addition to in-office time for collaboration and celebration. We maintain strict safety protocols while in our office. All staff who come to the office must be fully immunized against COVID-19.