Position Summary

Native Vote Washington (NVW) and Washington Conservation Action (WCA), in partnership with Native Organizers Alliance (NOA) are seeking multiple dynamic, motivated individuals to join NVW as part-time, twelve-week Native Voter Engagement Organizing Fellows. Fellows will receive valuable support and gain skills from trainings and experienced supervisors in the field of community outreach and organizing.

Successful applicants will be inspired to work for Native civic engagement, have a thorough working understanding of Tribal sovereignty, and be goal driven self-starters. Native Voter Engagement Organizing Fellows will work alongside NVW’s Field Team to organize Native voters on Tribal lands to register to vote and participate in the 2024 general election. Fellows also work alongside coalition partners and staff of the No on 2117 campaign as needed to organize Tribal membership to vote to defeat this initiative, which not only undermines statewide climate justice advancement but also threatens Tribal Nations’ ability to respond to existing and future climate threats. Fellows are based on or near Tribal lands throughout WA state and report to NVW’s Field Director.

About Organization

Native Vote Washington is a 100% Indigenous-led collaborative, serving Indigenous communities across the state of Washington. The Native Vote Advisory Board provides guidance to the development and implementation of this Indigenous-led political power building project in Washington. In 2021, Washington Conservation Action became the fiscal sponsor of NVW to increase the capacity of the organization to operate year-round; NVW will become a permanent program within WCA in 2025.

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies and pushes for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.

In January 2023, Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Environmental council unified under a shared brand—Washington Conservation Action. This evolution as organizations builds on our 50 years of work and history of bringing people together to solve Washington’s most critical environmental issues. We develop, advocate, and defend policies that ensure environmental progress and justice by centering and amplifying the voices of the most impacted communities. Washington Conservation Action is a 501(c4) organization. Washington Conservation Action Education Fund is our 501(c3) partner organization. Together, we advance a shared vision for a Washington state where nature and people live in balance for the flourishing of all. Washington Conservation Action is based in a LEED-certified building in downtown Seattle with a view of Elliott Bay. Our team of nearly 45 works in a flexible hybrid model, with staff in the office two days a week for collaboration and celebration. All staff members have access to tools and systems to support hybrid work. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a difference. We are committed to a diverse, socially just, and welcoming work environment. People of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon.

Responsibilities

Fellows will be responsible for direct voter engagement outreach to Tribal members on Tribal land, resulting in new and updated voter registrations, education on the voting process including ballot completion and return processes, education about issues and Native candidates that impact Tribal nations within Washington, and mobilization of new and existing voters to participate in the 2024 general election. This fellowship will involve campaign hours with a combination of day, evening, and weekend shifts totaling 20 hours per week. Responsibilities include:

• Canvass assigned areas to engage in direct organizing conversations with Tribal members at their homes, public gatherings, and highly trafficked locations
• Engage with Tribal members through scheduled phone-banks and text-banks
• Ensure that data for Tribal member contact history is comprehensively and accurately captured in appropriate databases to support campaign and organizational goals
• Bring a racial and social justice lens to our work
• Travel to field assignments, events, trainings, and other activities as needed
• Other campaign-related activities as needed

Required Skills

• Strong awareness of and passion for Tribal sovereignty, Native political engagement, and environmental issues
• Excellent social and communication skills
• Ability to travel daily throughout assigned outreach areas using either personal vehicle or public transportation
• Ability to track field data in real time using either personal smartphone or campaign-assigned technology to meet data-driven goals each week
• Ability to travel to Detroit for in-person training with Native Organizers Alliance (NOA) from 9/12-15/24. Flight, training, and hotel costs will be covered by NOA
• Ability to meet consistently with Native Organizers Alliance national cohort of Fellows for 2.5 hours each Friday afternoon for structured organizing training in a virtual setting

Desired Skills

• Excellent personal organization and time management skills
• Experience working on electoral or advocacy campaigns, making outreach or sales phone calls, canvassing, phone-banking, and/or text-banking
• Familiarity with or ability to learn to use Voter Activation Network in the field
• Strong preference for Tribal members on or near Tribal lands throughout WA state

Compensation and Benefits

This is a part-time (20 hours per week) temporary contracted fellowship with a weekly stipend of $400. Travel costs associated with the fellowship will also be paid for by the organization.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This job requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, lifting, twisting, and crouching.  Must be able to conduct business in English, though fluency in other languages is welcomed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform functions essential to the duties of the position.

To Apply

Please submit a resume here. No phone calls or mailed applications please. The deadline to apply for this fellowship opportunity is August 23, 2024.

WCA is an equal opportunity employer committed to dismantling structural racism and creating a welcoming work environment. WCA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities are encouraged to apply.