Sierra Club, Cumberland Chapter

C umberland C hapter
Serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Since 1967
Contract Opening:
Part-Time Contract Organizer, Eastern Kentucky
Application Deadline:
Friday, May 28, 2015
Contract:
Location:
Department:
Reports to:
Part-Time Contract Organizer, Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky
Sierra Club, Cumberland (Kentucky) Chapter
Cumberland Chapter Mining Co-Chair, Alice Howell
Background: Right now, the Eastern Kentucky Coalfields are in a period of significant transition as coal mines close at more rapid
rates than any time in the recent past. There are fewer than 11,000 coal jobs left in Kentucky; significantly less than there were even
a year ago. The practice of mountaintop removal (MTR) mining has left the Central Appalachian region with legacy pollution to
water, air, land, and communities that will take monumental funds and efforts to abate, into the foreseeable future.
The presence of the Sierra Club, partnering with our allies who have worked to end the devastating practice of MTR mining and
supporting efforts of citizens of the region in securing a just and economic transition for the future, is crucial to supporting the work
that we have been doing in the region for many years. The geography and culture of the mountains requires on-the-ground,
personal involvement with local people to accomplish the networking and relationship building necessary to make a difference.
Scope: Part-Time contract field organizer to work, for up to 25 hours/week, in the coal producing region of Eastern Kentucky
(Central Appalachia Mountain region) to advocate for a clean energy future and sustainable economies in the coalfields of Kentucky
while repairing and restoring our waters and land. The contract will run thought the end of 2015 with the possibility of continuations
into 2016.
The Eastern Kentucky Contract Organizer is responsible for working with the Sierra Club’s Kentucky Chapter in the development of
strategies and priorities aligned with the Beyond Coal Campaign.
Potential goals include:
1.
Increase capacity in the Eastern Kentucky coalfield regions.
2.
Maintain an active presence in leveraging existing Economic Transition work in the region to build new partnerships on the
ground, and strengthen existing alliances.
3.
Coordinate work with Sierra Club organizers working on MTR mining issues in Central Appalachian states.
4.
Inventory the availability of funds for economic transition; especially projects geared toward reclamation/restoration.
5.
Collaboration with Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program.
6.
As part of Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice work to end MTR mining; work to support the Alliance for Appalachia’s
regulatory agency demands outlined in its Grassroots Progress Report released in December 2014.
P.O. Box 1368, Lexington, KY 40588 -1368 ● (859) 296-4335 ● www.kentucky.sierraclub.org
Possible Job Activities:
1.
Partner w/the Kentucky Chapter’s outings program, to increase outings activity in the region tied to restoration projects, to
create demand for preservation of the Appalachian Mountains with its unique natural diversity.
2.
Identify and support economic diversification efforts in conjunction with Sierra Club organizers and allies in Central
Appalachian states.
3.
Continue ongoing work to develop key connections and build powerful alliances with those communities that have a
vested interest in the success of a clean energy economy, including clean tech businesses and entrepreneurs, people of
color & civil rights groups, organized labor, and low income organizations.
4.
Work with allied organizations to find funds through Abandoned Mines Lands/Appalachia Regional
Commission/Brownfields programs to support the work of economic transition in the region.
5.
Build regional citizen support by finding local programs that are geared toward reclamation/restoration/sustainable
energy/energy efficiency of a targeted area and help apply for those funds.
Knowledge and Skills:

Passionate about social justice, clean water and clean energy.

Experience in the environmental or social justice field that includes research and organizing campaigns, press relations, and
public speaking.

Experience with regulatory agencies is helpful.

Self-directed and ability to guild the development of strategies and priorities.

Good written and oral communication skills.

Ability and effectiveness working with volunteers and diverse teams.

Requires travel.

Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.
Application instructions:
To apply please email the following materials, no later than Friday May 22, 2015, to kymtrorganizerposition@gmail.com:
your resume, 2 references, and a cover letter that includes your location, willingness to travel, and why you are interested in this
position.
Sierra Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce.
Kentucky Sierra Club: The Cumberland Chapter (aka Kentucky Chapter) of Sierra Club was founded in 1968, encompasses the
entire Commonwealth of Kentucky, and is comprised of 6 active Groups throughout the state. http://kentucky.sierraclub.org
Beyond Coal Campaign: The Beyond Coal campaign is a nationwide grassroots effort to eliminate coal's contribution to global
warming no later than 2030 and replace the existing coal infrastructure with a clean energy economy fueled by wind, solar, and
geothermal. The Beyond Coal campaign is working to stop the construction of new coal-fired power plants, retire and replace the
existing fleet of coal plants, and keep the U.S. coal reserves underground and out of world markets. The Beyond Coal campaign is
dedicated to ending the devastating practice of mountaintop removal and supporting a just economic transition in Appalachia. To
learn more about our campaign visit: http://beyondcoal.org.
National Sierra Club: Sierra Club has grown to become America's largest grassroots environmental advocacy organization--and
also one of its most effective. At its core, the Club promotes outdoor activities and environmental activism on both the local and
national levels through political lobbies, education, outings, and publications. The Club's more than 2.6 million supporters are
organized into state and regional chapters throughout the US and Canada. Sierra Club publishes books, calendars, SIERRA magazine,
and The Planet - an activist newsletter. Its current issues include moving beyond coal-fired power, promoting clean energy, stopping
the worst of the natural gas boom, and expanding iconic landscapes across the U.S. The organization was founded in 1892 by world
renowned naturalist John Muir. http://sierraclub.org/
Working at the Sierra Club, no matter what your position, means that you are working to build a green, equitable, 100% clean
energy future for generations to come.
P.O. Box 1368, Lexington, KY 40588 -1368 ● (859) 296-4335 ● www.kentucky.sierraclub.org