Job Opportunities

River Protection & Environmental Rights Advocacy Associate

with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, a nonprofit environmental organization

Start Date: When Filled
The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN), and its affiliated sister organization Green Amendments For the Generations (GAFTG) based in Bristol, PA, are committed to creating an inclusive community of staff and volunteers that is representative of the communities we serve. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger voice for community and environmental protection and rights.

DRN and its sister organization are seeking to hire a River Protection and Environmental Rights Advocacy Associate. This will be a full-time position.

Description
DRN and GAFTG are sister organizations. We are seeking to fill a position that supports River Protection and Environmental Rights advocacy. This position will be full-time and involve an integrated body of work serving the mission of both organizations. The Associate will provide significant support to the advocacy and grassroots organizing work led by the Delaware Riverkeeper to protect the Delaware River Watershed and to advance the message of constitutional Green Amendments (Environmental Rights Amendments) nationwide. The River Protection and Environmental Rights Advocacy Associate will gain hands-on experience in the development of a wide variety of environmental advocacy and organizing strategies while working to protect the Delaware River Watershed and ecosystems, and advancing community education and efforts to secure constitutional Green Amendment protections for environmental rights. The River Protection and Environmental Rights Advocacy Associate will work on issues such as fossil fuel infrastructure, inappropriate development projects, buffers protection, flood damage reduction, catastrophic spill response, stormwater runoff, wetlands degradation, contaminated sites remediation, dredging, species take, and the environmental justice values of constitutional Green Amendment environmental rights protection. As needed, the River Protection and Environmental Rights Advocacy Associate will also provide support for the advocacy and grassroots organizing work led by other DRN advocacy and community organizing staff.

Reports to
the Delaware Riverkeeper & Green Amendments For the Generations Founder

Responsibilities
 Help coordinate and attend community and/or coalition meetings, issue-based events, webinars, educational forums, and direct actions;
 Participate in and support the Delaware Riverkeeper & Green Amendments Founder in advocacy campaign development and strategic planning;
 Assist with the coordination of several grassroots advocacy work groups;
 Assist with outreach to and support of community groups and partner organizations, including attending calls/meetings/work sessions;
 Analyze, interpret, and synthesize voluminous publications covering a variety of topics including: water quality threats; habitat and ecosystem threats; public health threats; climate issues; illegal discharges; invasive species; and endangered and at-risk species to help inform the position and work of DRN and GAFTG on advocacy issues and litigation as needed;
 Help draft factsheets, advocacy letters, and informational materials, as assigned;
 Develop social media communications including visual, audio and video;
 Draft press releases and organize press events;
 Draft comment letters and testimony for submission during public comment periods and hearings;
 Potentially, deliver testimony on a variety of issues relevant to the work

Other Responsibilities
 Participate in DRN &/or GAFTG sponsored events as needed
 Draft fundraising materials including donation letters and grant applications to support DRN and GAFTG work
 Other duties as assigned

Valid driver’s license and good driving record is required. Ability to travel around the Watershed is required with an openness to traveling nationwide if needed. Some evening and weekend work required.

Required Qualifications
 Minimum Bachelor’s degree or five to seven years of experience in relevant field. A graduate or legal degree is not required, but is preferred;
 Work experience in the environmental field;
 Knowledge of environmental policy, with a focus on water, energy, and climate;
 Understanding of how environmental issues intersect with racism and economic and social inequality;
 Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills;
 Strong research and analytical skills;
 Excellent computer skills, including a high degree of proficiency in a variety of online systems and
software and/or ability to learn them (current systems/software used include: Google suite and Office
365 suite);
 Ability to multi-task in a high performing environment;
 Detail-oriented, organized, efficient, and flexible;
 Team player capable of working independently with minimal oversight; and
 Reliable transportation

Salary
Base starts at $40,000 dependent upon experience, but is negotiable.

Benefits
 Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short & Long Term Disability
 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after one year of employment
 Flexible Spending Accounts: Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking Expenses
 Generous time-off policies
 Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code

Location
The position is based in DRN’s main office in Bristol, Bucks County, PA. Employees may be eligible to work remotely if their job duties can be met through basic hardware and software, they’ve proven to be trustworthy, disciplined, and self-motivated, and have been given permission by supervisor. However, travel to the Bristol office will be required as needed.

Application Procedure:
Submit cover letter, resume, names and contact information for three references, and at least one writing sample. Please send email with the required attachments to the attention of Hiring Manager at resumes@delawareriverkeeper.org. Email subject line should read, “River & Environmental Rights.” No telephone calls.

Timeline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Essential Functions of Position and Working Conditions:
 Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including some physical work, with or without reasonable accommodations.
 Constantly required to remain in a stationary position and operate standard office equipment, such as a computer, phones, photocopiers, printers, and fax machines.
 Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
 Occasionally required to move files, open filing cabinets and position self as necessary.
 Work will be primarily indoors, in an office setting, but will include public meetings, public hearings, outdoor press events, speaking engagements in public venues, outdoor community engagement events such as rallies or gatherings.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. DRN retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. DRN & GAFTG are equal opportunity employers.

2024 Michigan Internship Opportunity

Apply to work with Green Amendments For the Generations
(Remote, Paid Internship)
February 2024

Green Amendments For the Generations (GAFTG) is a grassroots nonprofit organization working state by state to inspire passage of Green Amendments—constitutional Bill of Rights provisions that protect rights to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and a healthy environment as inalienable rights on par with our rights to free speech, due process, and freedom of religion. One of GAFTG’s core missions is a commitment to uplifting environmental justice communities and those disproportionately burdened by environmental degradation. GAFTG is seeking a part-time Michigan Green Amendment Intern to support the organization’s advocacy, education and grassroots organizing work in Michigan in 2024.

GAFTG works at both the grassroots and the legislative level to advance Green Amendments using public speaking, online and in-person engagement, educational materials, media/publicity, and events organized around the basic principle that we all need and deserve to live in a state that recognizes and protects our environmental rights. GAFTG was founded in 2019 by the Delaware Riverkeeper, building upon a 2013 legal success that secured a constitutionally recognized, inalienable right to pure water, clean air and a healthy environment in Pennsylvania, and the Delaware Riverkeeper’s subsequently published award-winning book, The Green Amendment, Securing Our Right to a Healthy Environment.

GAFTG invites interested individuals located in Michigan to apply for a paid internship for the 2024 Michigan engagement campaign (starting mid-March 2024 and lasting approximately six months). The Michigan Green Amendment Internship is a temporary, part-time, non-exempt, hourly position with a compensation of $20 an hour. Benefits are not included. The internship will be mostly remote but may require, in addition to virtual engagement with staff and partners, in person attendance at stakeholder meetings and events in the Detroit area.

Responsibilities: The time and responsibilities for the Michigan Intern will include support of the Green Amendment initiative, including:

• Conducting policy research;
• Tracking Green Amendment legislation, committee hearing schedules, and votes;
• Drafting, proofing and distributing educational materials and action alerts;
• Creating a social media calendar and relevant content (for all organizational platforms including
• Facebook, Instagram, and an exclusive Green Amendment app);
• Publicizing educational events and webinars; and
• Providing support at meetings and programs (virtual and in person).

The position will support work across a broad range of activities undertaken by the organization.

Qualifications: Candidates for the Michigan Internship position should be highly organized, hard-working, dedicated and reliable. The qualified candidate should possess:

• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills and attention to detail;
• A commitment to advancing equitable protection of our environment for all people and all generations;
• Demonstrated interest in public interest work, environmental studies, or political science;
• Good time-management skills and a proven ability to meet deadlines;
• Success working independently as well as part of a team; and
• Competence in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and social media platforms.

Commitment

• 10-15 hours per week for approximately 6 months, starting mid-March 2024 with a flexible end date.
• Potential for 30-40 hours per week during months of June, July, August 2024 depending on applicant.

Apply for the Michigan Internship Program
To apply, please email the following as PDF attachments to our office at GAFTG@forthegenerations.org with the subject line “Michigan Internship Application”:

(1) cover letter; (2) resume; (3) contact information for two references; and (4) short writing sample.

GAFTG will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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