With U.S. PIRG, you could work to improve the quality of health care and reduce costs so that everyone can afford the care they need. You could make sure our country is funding a 21st century transportation agenda focused on mass transit. You could strengthen our democracy by making sure the youth of America exercise their right to vote, or you might work on one of our many other issues.
Our professional staff focus on finding good ideas and pushing for real change, even when a powerful interest stands in the way. We've built a 35-year track record of overcoming these obstacles to achieve real results, due in part to the fact that we hire dozens of smart, talented people each year and give them plenty of responsibility--from day one on the job.
Traditionally, it has been students standing on the front lines of important social movements, from civil rights to gay rights to antiwar efforts. U.S. PIRG campus organizers tap student idealism and energy, and help student volunteers and activists turn their concerns into effective action.
Campus organizers work on three to six campaigns in a semester, which could include: working to pass a clean energy bill in the state Legislature; increasing youth voter turnout in an upcoming election; or fighting hunger and homelessness in the local community. The role of a campus organizer is two-fold: Achieve concrete social change and develop the next generation of leaders. Through this approach, campus organizers build the kind of power it takes to solve our country's current problems while ensuring that legacy continues well into the future.
Campus organizers build active, cohesive and visible campus chapters that are recognized by faculty and student leaders as assets to the campus community. During the academic year, campus organizers learn to canvass door-to-door, and during the summer months, campus organizers run our highly effective citizen outreach campaigns.
Consider these recent examples of victories from our campus chapters:
*At the University of Massachusetts, Campus Organizer Molly Chafetz and student leaders took on global warming along with other MASSPIRG advocates and organizers. To make sure oil and coal companies were not the only ones influencing the debate, they pushed their state senator to lead the way on the issue. Molly and the UMass students organized several district meetings and successful call-in days to help secure the senator's leadership. The bill passed and was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick in 2008.
*At the University of Northern Iowa, Kathleen Cogan worked with student leaders during the presidential primaries to make sure that candidates campaigning in Iowa addressed issues that mattered to young people. Thanks to Kathleen's training, the students spoke to every presidential candidate about issues such as higher education and global warming.
*And at Evergreen State College, WashPIRG Campus Organizer Blair Anundson worked with students to get their campus to commit to buying 100 percent renewable energy, funded by a student fee.
Training & Experience
A key part of U.S. PIRG's mission is to train leaders who are capable of organizing and winning results that improve people's lives--from working to bring more transportation options to the table to helping make health care cost less while making coverage more reliable.
U.S. PIRG conducts an intensive, three-week, paid training program for campus organizers. Training begins in late July and includes two weeks of field work with experienced U.S. PIRG staff--followed by one week of classroom training.
At the end of training, new campus organizers are placed at a specific college campus, with placement determined by the individual organizer's skills and experience.
Campus organizers also participate in other training events, including regional conferences and a national staff training in Denver, Colorado.
Qualifications
We seek motivated individuals who are willing to work hard and commit themselves to getting results. We value outstanding verbal, written and leadership skills, and most of all, we look for people who find a way to make a difference.
Salary & Benefits
You earn $23,750 over the course of your first year with U.S. PIRG. Salary for experienced candidates is commensurate with relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees.
In addition, full-time staff can opt into our state health care coverage, are eligible for paid sick and vacation days, can apply for our college loan assistance program, and are also eligible to join our 401(k) program in their second year.
Our staff accrue two weeks of vacation by the end of their first year and three weeks by the end of their second year.
Locations
U.S. PIRG is hiring for positions in: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, WA, WI and Washington, D.C.
If you are only interested in particular locations, you will be asked to identify those locations during the interview process. If you receive an offer, we'll guarantee you a placement in one of those locations.
U.S. PIRG is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation or veteran status.
This is a Work for Progress recruitment campaign conducted on behalf of U.S. PIRG.
- Location: Olympia
- Compensation: $23,750, plus benefits
- This is at a non-profit organization.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
