Miami Group Organizing and Engagement Unpaid Intern
Job Title: Miami Group Organizing and Engagement Unpaid Intern
Location: Hybrid in Miami-Dade County
Duration: 11-20 hours per week for 3 months
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
The Sierra Club Florida Chapter is made up of volunteer leaders and civic activists representing over 32,000 members. Our mission is to enjoy, explore, and protect the natural and threatened places in Florida, to teach others to understand and respect the fragile environment in which we live, and to support equal environmental justice for all. Across the state, there are 16 groups that tackle local environmental issues head-on. Get involved locally to protect and serve our environment!
Scope: The Miami Group was started in 1972 when local governments were threatening to build a new airport in the middle of the Everglades. Ironically, five decades later there are still developers trying to figure out how a runway 30 miles from commerce can be used for profits. The Miami Group has spearheaded efforts to save the Pine Rocklands from further encroachment from developers, helped to defeat plans to build two more nuclear reactors at Turkey Point, worked to protect Biscayne Bay from nutrient overloading, and is currently advocating against incinerators and for zero waste solutions. The intern will learn about organizing for local environmental advocacy campaigns, including community and political outreach, and using social media for mobilization.
In order to be unpaid, the intern must acquire course credit from their college or university. Any participating intern must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
Job activities include but are not limited to:
- Attending the Group’s Executive Committee Meetings and offering input and new perspectives.
- Assisting in community and political outreach, including phone banking, letter writing, canvassing, and social media outreach to develop familiarity with the Group’s anti-inceneration/zero-waste and tree canopy campaigns.
- Sitting in on and/or speaking at public hearings and BOCC meetings on pressing issues.
- Creating digital communication materials like social media graphics.
The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:
- Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills
- Graphic design skills
- Experience, or a strong interest in, environmental protection, and grassroots organizing
- Proficiency in Google Suite or Microsoft Word and video conferencing
- Good time-management skills
- Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
- Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go
Intern must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. This is a hybrid work position, including some virtual (work-from-home) and some in-person meetings and campaign activities. Some evening and/or weekend hours should be expected. Intern must have their own vehicle for regional travel.