Background
We all want clean air, clean water and open
spaces. But it takes independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win
concrete results for our environment, especially when powerful interests stand
in the way of environmental progress. That's the idea behind Environment
Massachusetts. We focus on protecting Massachusetts's air, water and open
spaces. We speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to
improve the quality of our environment and our lives.
Environment
Massachusetts is hiring people for our Fellowship Program. We’re part of a
nationwide network of similar state-based environmental groups that are also
hiring. If you’re interested in a position in another state, you can apply
through Environment Massachusetts.
Fellowship Program: 2008 –
2010 Job Description
We’re hiring recent college graduates to
help win campaigns with Environment Massachusetts or one of our partner groups.
By working together, our network’s efforts to pass renewable energy standards in
the states has already resulted in decreasing global warming pollution – the
equivalent of taking 1.5 million cars off the road. We have protected pristine
wilderness areas across the country, including 4 million acres of forests in
Massachusetts and convinced the state to designate three key areas protected in
Michigan. We have protected countless waterways, including designating 45
waterways for Clean Water Act protections in New Jersey and passing an ocean
protection bill in California. And, we’ve passed renewable energy standards in
Congress.
Environment Massachusetts Fellows will get a chance to work
with some of the top environmental advocates and organizers in the country, and
will have an immediate impact on a critical environmental issue. The Fellowship
Program gives recent college graduates the training and experience to assume
leadership roles in the environmental movement for the long term.
The Fellowship Program positions include, but are not limited
to:
Issue Associate: As an issue associate, you’ll master your
issue area and build the kind of powerful support it takes to make your voice
heard and change public policy. Responsibilities include: researching and
writing reports, developing and coordinating campaigns, preparing legislative
testimony, building statewide and national coalitions, organizing media events,
raising funds, and meeting with elected officials.
Field Associate: As a
field associate, you’ll build and demonstrate support for proposals at the state
or federal level to ensure that decision-makers hear from and pay attention to
the public. You must quickly master the basics of a variety of issues, and then
reach out to individuals, media outlets and organizations to build visibility
and gain their support.
Issue associates and field associates may work
on any of the following issues: global warming, energy policy, clean air and
water, preserving our open spaces, and more. Each associate takes on the
critical role of building the organization by canvassing at various times during
the year and running a citizen outreach office during the
summer.
Qualifications
We are looking for recent
college graduates who care about the environment and are driven to preserve it
for the future. We look for strong leadership skills, academic excellence,
problem solving ability, and top-notch written and verbal skills. We value
experience with campus and activist groups.
Training and
Experience
A key part of the Environment Massachusetts mission
is to train leaders who are capable of organizing and winning results for the
environment. Immediately following an intensive training, fellows are trusted
with significant responsibilities in their jobs. The training lasts 10 days, is
fully paid, and starts in mid-August in Boston. Four additional trainings take
place during the rest of the year. Training topics include skills and political
strategy; and topics are covered in a mix of lectures, classroom briefings and
discussions, role-plays and in-the-field training. Throughout the year, you gain
valuable skills and experience in both making your voice heard on the issues and
in building an organization through grant-writing, canvassing, recruiting and
managing staff, and directing campaigns.
Placement
Fellowship candidates are considered
for positions with Environment Massachusetts and our network of state
environment group offices across the country. If you are interested only in
particular locations, you will be asked to identify those locations during the
interview process. If you are offered a fellowship position, you are guaranteed
placement in one of your desired locations. In most cases, final placement,
including location and position, occurs during the August training in
Boston.
Salary & benefits
As a recent
graduate, you will earn $23,750 in your first year and $24,250 in your second
year. Salary for experienced candidates is commensurate with relevant
professional experience and/or advanced degrees. You will be eligible to opt in
to our group health plan, and will accrue two weeks paid vacation over the
course of your first year, three weeks in your second year and will be eligible
to apply for college loan assistance. In your second year, you will also be
eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan.
Locations
Our network of environmental groups is
currently hiring for positions in: Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Sacramento, CA;
San Francisco, CA; Santa Barbara, CA; Denver, CO; Hartford, CT; Washington, DC;
Tallahassee, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Portland, ME; Boston, MA; Ann Arbor,
MI; Trenton, NJ; Baltimore, MD; Concord, NH; Albuquerque, NM; Raleigh, NC;
Columbus, OH; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Austin, TX; Seattle, WA;
Philadelphia, PA; Madison, WI
How to apply
Fill
out our online application form. Please contact Recruitment Director
Maria Schweitzer with any questions: Jobs@EnvironmentMassachusetts.org.