Thurston Climate Action Team

Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) is a Thurston County-based nonprofit organization  dedicated to partnering with our community to make carbon neutrality and climate  resilience expected public norms. 

TCAT is spearheading a multi-pronged approach to addressing the most urgent challenge  ever faced by humanity. From influencing local government priorities to promoting energy  efficiency, and empowering citizens to mobilize, TCAT has earned a reputation for  leadership on climate in Thurston County. One of our most significant recent successes was  advocating for the development and adoption of a regional climate action plan (the  Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan or TCMP). That plan was adopted in 2021 by the Olympia,  Tumwater, and Lacey city councils and the Thurston Board of County Commissioners. Learn  more at https://thurstonclimateaction.org/

Scope of work

TCAT is seeking a Community Organizer to work 40 hours per week under the supervision of TCAT’s Executive Director. This position plays a key role in expanding public participation in comprehensive planning in Thurston County and the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater as it relates to the goals of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan. This work will have a special focus on connecting with the practical concerns and material interests of communities typically marginalized and under-represented in public policy decision-making (such as BIPOC, low income, and labor groups). The work is funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. 

Major tasks outlined in the grant’s scope of work include: meeting with local government staff to understand each jurisdiction’s comprehensive planning schedules and identifying public engagement opportunities; developing an Engagement and Participation Plan; working closely with overburdened populations to ensure their participation; implementing the Plan; and creating two Memorandums for the Department of Commerce. 

The overall goal of the work is to expand understanding and critical awareness among overburdened and other community members of the causes and effects of climate change, how it affects their daily lives, economic and political structures (especially at the local level) that need to change to address the crisis, and how the comprehensive planning process can be used to address those structures. From this work, the Community Organizer will assist local residents in building a community agenda for the four comprehensive plans (Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, and Thurston County) This will support resilience to protect our community from climate breakdown impacts, along with full and timely implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, and Washington State’s declared goals for reducing climate emissions. 

Some evening and weekend work is required. 

Job Activities include but no limited to

  • Become intimately familiar with the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan and relevant portions of the various jurisdictions’ comprehensive plans, including proposed updates. 
  • Manage commitments and expectations and build trust with diverse audiences. These audiences include government staff and officials, TCAT Board and volunteers, partner organizations, overburdened populations, Union leaders, and the public, who will have differing priorities and concerns. 
  • Prioritize engagement opportunities. 
  • Create and implement the Engagement and Participation Plan. 
  • Regularly convene, facilitate, and grow TCAT’s Action Groups, relying on the volunteers from each Group to serve as resources for policy and program advice. Expand community awareness and assessment of local climate impacts and needed solutions. 
  • Plan and lead regular meetings related to this project. 
  • Center the voices, needs, and concerns of BIPOC and low-income communities, and use an equity lens in all decisions. 
  • Write two Memorandums to the Washington Department of Commerce on program objectives, performance and outcomes, and recommendations. 
  • Contribute to the TCAT monthly newsletter, update the TCAT website, and provide email and social media communications to the community. 
  • Provide regular updates for the Executive Director and TCAT Board.

 REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Community Organizing, Planning, Communications, Sustainability, or related field. 
  • At least two years’ experience in grassroots organizing and/or coalition building. • Excellent self-management and organization skills. 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong attention to detail. • Demonstrated experience with meeting facilitation and planning, education and training, creating and making presentations, and report writing. 
  • Skills in planning, project management, and analysis. 
  • A professional and respectful demeanor, and the ability to work well with diverse groups of people. 
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
  • The ability to meet deadlines and to remain flexible and work effectively to maintain positive relationships. 
  • The Community Organizer should live in Thurston County. 

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

  • Experience and knowledge related to climate change. 
  • Experience and/or knowledge of popular education approaches to community learning and action. 
  • Experience and/or knowledge of community assemblies. 
  • Bilingual – Spanish. 
  • Strong connections in Thurston County. 
  • Experienced using Zoom, Word Press, Mail Chimp, Microsoft Office, Gmail, and Google Docs. 
  • Savvy in the use of social media. 

Compensation and Benefits

This position is an exempt, salaried position. It is virtual with in-person meetings required as needed. Desired start date is September 1, 2024. 

The salary for this position is in the range of $65,000 to $70,000 based on experience. TCAT offers vacation and sick leave, and medical coverage. 

TCAT will provide a laptop and necessary office supplies. 

This position is funded through a one-year grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. There is a chance it could be renewed for one or more years but this is not guaranteed.

To Apply

  • Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@thurstonclimateaction.org, explaining why you are the best candidate for this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with preference given to applications received by July 30, 2024. 
  • Candidates chosen to be interviewed will be required to provide at least three references, a writing sample, and a project work plan including tasks, schedules, and assignment of responsibility/accountability. 

TCAT is an equal opportunity employer. TCAT recognizes the inequalities present in various government and corporate policies that disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society, including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, seniors, and LGBTQ+ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities, or who are members of other marginalized communities.