The Carolinas Field Representative provides grassroots support for Oceana’s U.S. campaigns by working in Coastal North and South Carolina to reduce plastic pollution, prevent the expansion of offshore drilling, protect the North Atlantic right whale, promote responsible fishing practices, and defend core environmental laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This position focuses on building support for our plastics campaign at the local and state level in the Carolinas, building on our winning model to stop the expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling activities by engaging community leaders and business leaders, and generating support for Oceana’s responsible fishing campaigns over time and as needed. This position will be able to leverage existing networks throughout the Carolinas to support Oceana’s campaigns and build a network of ocean advocates within the state(s).
This position reports to the Field Director and works independently to execute campaign plans in the Carolinas, carrying out tasks necessary to meet campaign objectives, tracking timelines, and reporting on progress. Field staff manage a varied and high-volume workload. This position requires initiative and an ability to work on individual deadlines, while also engaging fully as part of a dynamic and high-performing team. Travel and in-person work is required.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
Develop and implement inclusive, strategic, and effective organizing tactics including but not limited to grassroots coalition building, public engagement and repeat volunteerism, legislative advocacy, traditional and social media acquisition, and development of a self-sustaining foundation of support for Oceana’s campaign goals.
Develop and execute campaigns in conjunction with Oceana’s team of professionals in Washington, DC and in the field. This will include working with other field staff, policy and communications professionals, scientists and lawyers, and Oceana’s volunteers, online activists, allies, and others.
Regularly report on progress and lead the charge for overcoming obstacles to ensure goals and objectives are met.
Track time, expenses, activities, and progress towards goals regularly, meeting all deadlines established by the field director and managers.
Perform additional duties for Oceana’s campaigns, as directed by your manager/the Field Director.
Job Requirements
Education and experience:
A Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience, or equivalent four years’ campaign experience, is required.
Experience building relationships and organizing at the community level on behalf of federal, state, and/or local policy issues.
Experience in planning and executing in-person and virtual events and using video conferencing/phone, email, and social media to engage large numbers of supporters.
Experience organizing local communities in North and/or South Carolina.
Skills and knowledge:
Ability to multi-task and a track record of being detail-oriented, with excellent organizational skills and follow-through.
Possesses a strong work ethic and takes initiative to set priorities, express ideas for improvements, meet deadlines, and proactively solve problems.
Demonstrated success cultivating relationships in a way that persuades individuals to support an organization’s agenda and generates measurable, long-lasting results.
Demonstrated initiative to working with communities who are typically underrepresented in the environmental and oceans space, and commitment to incorporating the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion into organizing and advocacy work.
Excellent written, oral, and emotional communication skills, including public speaking.
Computer literacy with Microsoft Office applications and proficiency with Salesforce (or equivalent CRM).
Familiarity with campaign issues, including but not limited to plastic pollution, offshore drilling, and fisheries management is a plus.
Valid U.S. driver’s license, or ability to travel efficiently via public transit and ride share.
Willingness and ability to travel and shift schedule to accommodate work on weekends and after normal working hours.
Required Competencies:
Collaborates: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than can be achieved by individuals.
Cultural Competence: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about difference, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.
Drives Results: Is skilled at communicating a vision, setting priorities, and developing and executing plans that achieve desired outcomes. Has an overall achievement mindset, a bias for action, and an eagerness to take initiative.
Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.
Manages Complexity: Is able to gather data, analyze situations, and uncover the root causes to problems. Can distinguish between what’s relevant and what’s not and evaluate the pros and cons of potential situations.
Nimble Learning: Takes on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks. Can quickly adapt to new situations and draw on past successes and failures to solve current problems.
Organizational Savvy: Is a master at getting things done in an organizational setting. Can maneuver comfortably through complex policy, processes, and people-related organizational dynamics.
*Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
*Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
