OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon (Organizing People-Activating Leaders) is seeking two to four Summer Organizers-in-Training to work on our Transit Justice and Health Equity base-building campaign. OPAL works with low-income and communities of color in East Portland around public transportation and health concerns. Strong candidates will have an understanding of social, economic and environmental justice, an interest in multiracial, intergenerational community building, and a demonstrated commitment to rigorous grassroots organizing, outreach and education. OPAL is a 501c3 intercultural grassroots nonprofit empowering working class communities and people of color to promote environmental and social justice.
Position is a 40 hour/week internship with a stipend of $1000 per month for work beginning June 27 and ending September 2, 2011. The position also includes a bus pass.
OPAL’s Organizer-in-Training is an internship program with the goal of:
- Teaching principles of environmental, economic, racial and social justice
- Training for grassroots community organizing and leadership development
- Providing hands on field experience to engage with community members
Organizer-in-Training Activities:
- Classroom leadership development 6-8 hours/week focused on building knowledge and skills for social justice community organizing and community development
- Field experience working alongside OPAL community organizers and Bus Rider Unite member leaders doing direct organizing with transit riders, including surveying, phone banking, follow-up meetings, community presentations
- Administrative duties including databasing, record-keeping
Organizer-in-Training Qualifications:
- Bicultural experience, understanding, cross-cultural vision
- Bilingual, ability to speak English and any one of the following languages: Spanish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali
- Demonstrated interest in grassroots community based organizing
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment managing various timelines
People of Color, women, and low-income residents of East Portland are strongly encouraged to apply!
Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references by email only to jobs@opalpdx.org by April 29th, 2011
Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, Co-Director
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon 2407 SE 49th Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 (503)512-0490
