Career Opportunities

Grassroots Organizer - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

PCRM is seeking a Grassroots Organizer to recruit volunteers and manage a local grassroots campaign as a PCRM representative (on a consultant basis). These efforts will complement federal lobbying by implementing local outreach efforts that may include canvassing, petitioning, town hall events, and other activities to increase support for PCRM’s federal initiatives. The Grassroots Organizer will focus on constituents of federal representatives during the build-up to passage of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (CNR).

In 2009, Congress will take up this legislation, which includes programs like the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. PCRM has worked for many years to help schools incorporate nondairy vegetarian options for students dependent on school meals. Since about half of that country’s students are affected, the CNR is an opportunity to help children become healthier and reduce rates of obesity and preventable chronic diseases.

For more information on these efforts, click here.

Projects Include

• Develop, implement, and manage the local tasks for a grassroots campaign focused on several representatives who will be influential in the passage of the CNR
• Manage the planning and implementation of local volunteer recruitment
• Identify outreach opportunities for the recruitment of event participants
• Coordinate volunteers to fill ad hoc staff needs and work with other PCRM staff to meet overall event requirements
• Provide frequent reports on all grassroots activities, and assist in developing new activities in conjunction with government affairs and nutrition projects relevant to the CNR, and participate in phone meetings with PCRM staff at least twice a week
• Manage volunteer database providing data and reports on volunteer activities, as necessary
• Enlist the support of community organizations, such as churches, civic groups, and nonprofits
• Perform other related duties as assigned by PCRM, including unique duties assigned while working actual events
• Exhibit effective team skills, for example asking when things are unclear, sharing ideas that improve the process, and supporting each other at all times

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience
  • Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible and successful experience in organizing, managing, and supervising large numbers of crew/volunteers in a high-paced environment
  • Experience in special events for not-for-profit institutions or charitable causes, especially related to nutrition and/or animal welfare
  • Strong experience in organizing, coordinating, and motivating groups of event participants and volunteers
  • Experience mobilizing community-based programs
• Skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to present oral and written reports
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to communicate with congressional staffers, media, and average citizens in a courteous and professional manner
  • Ability to use considerable judgment, decision making, and initiative required to establish work procedures
  • Working knowledge and ability to use spreadsheet software, especially Excel
  • Ability to work independently, to work under supervision, and to work in a team-based and goal-oriented environment
  • Ability to maintain schedules and time lines
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Other Requirements
  • Ability to travel frequently, and possibly long distances, to coordinate volunteers, among other tasks
  • Must have valid driver’s license
  • Interest in and enthusiasm for PCRM’s objective

Terms: Consultant-basis. Time commitment is anticipated to be in excess of 40 hours per week. Consultant must be able to perform work in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Compensation: PCRM offers competitive nonprofit compensation commensurate with experience.

How to apply: Please mail, fax, or e-mail (preferred) a cover letter (see note below) and your résumé to:

PCRM
Attn: Sarah Petersen
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20016
Fax: 202-527-7410
E-mail: careers at pcrm dot org (Please note “Grassroots Organizer - Cedar Rapids” in the subject line of your e-mail.)

Note: Please include the following in your cover letter: 1) an explanation of your interest in PCRM and this opportunity in particular 2) your related education, experience, and skills 3) where and how you found out about this opportunity, and 4) your compensation requirement.

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