Zero Waste Associate

Environment America is seeking a Zero Waste Associate in Portland, OR, to help eliminate single-use plastics and support reuse initiatives. The role involves building coalitions, engaging with media, lobbying officials, creating campaign materials, and managing a grassroots campaign office. Ideal candidates are passionate about environmental issues, have leadership and organizing experience, and possess strong writing skills. This is an entry-level position with a target salary of $37,000-$38,000.
Environment Oregon Zero Waste Associate

Portland, Oregon

Environment Oregon works to tackle the most profound challenge of our time: a way of living that is destroying the natural world. We are seeking an entry-level campaign associate to help lead Oregon beyond plastics, by working to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics and support reuse.

We live in an economy that encourages us to buy, use, and throw away things at the greatest speed possible. But when it comes to plastic waste, there is no “away.” Single-use plastics that we use for only a few minutes will last in our environment for hundreds of years. This waste is filling our landfills, polluting our natural spaces and waterways, and harming wildlife. In recent years, Environment Oregon has helped lead efforts to phase out single-use plastic grocery bags, polystyrene foam food serviceware and more, and we're looking for a campaign associate to continue these efforts and help Oregon move beyond plastic.

Key responsibilities
• Build powerful coalitions: Reach out to a broad range of organizations and affected constituency groups across the political spectrum to demonstrate support for our campaign goals.
• Earn traditional media and social media attention: Organize news conferences and write opinion pieces. Build a following on social media for your campaign.
• Lobby elected officials: Meet with decision makers - from city council members to state legislators - to make the case for our campaign goals. When a critical vote is happening on your campaign, work to demonstrate the support you’ve been building on the ground to help line up the votes needed to win.
• Research and write persuasive campaign materials: Catalog and analyze data relevant to the issue and our policy proposals to help influence public debate and earn media attention for our cause.
• Recruit new people to your team: Help build your team recruiting volunteers, interns and full-time staff.
• Run a grassroots campaign office each summer: Run a campaign office for the summer to raise money to support our campaigns, build our organization and membership, and help build critical and timely grassroots support to win key campaigns while honing your organizing and management skills. You may be assigned to a different office location for the summer and should be flexible to move.

Qualifications

Entry-level candidates are encouraged to apply. Though we expect you to take your campaign and run with it, we provide training on advocacy and organizing skills, as well as oversight by an experienced advocate. Ideal candidates will have:
• Passion for the environment and using the power of grassroots organizing to win campaigns
• Leadership experience
• Top-notch writing and public speaking skills
• Good listening skills
• An eagerness to learn
• Organizing experience, including building campus or community groups

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual compensation for this position is $37,000-$38,000 in the first year. Environment Oregon offers a competitive benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, paid time off, a commuter benefit program, 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location: Portland, OR

We’re also hiring campaign associates to work on other campaigns in locations across the country. We accept applications on a rolling basis for immediate or summer 2025 start.

Apply

Fill out our online application: https://jobs.publicinterestnetwork.org/postings/89d62447-9adf-4fa3-97f0-94819d5559f4

Why work with Environment Oregon? Check out 10 reasons: https://environmentamerica.org/why-work-with-us/

About Environment Oregon

Environment Oregon is a policy and action group with thousands of supporters across the state. Environment Oregon is part of Environment America, and together with our network of 30 state environmental groups, we’re working to tackle the most profound problem of our time: a way of living that is depleting and destabilizing the natural world.

We’re advocates for energy conservation and renewable power, so we can keep oil in the ground and stop burning fossil fuels. We’re champions of plastic reduction, so nothing we use for a few minutes is allowed to pollute our oceans for centuries. And we’re defenders of wildlife and wild places, both for their own sake as well as the awe and wonder they bring to our lives.

Environment America and our national network of 30 state environmental groups work to improve our quality of life by reducing the pollution and other harms of how we produce, consume and dispose of more and more stuff. And we do it one step at a time, by winning results for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife, open spaces, and a livable climate that make a tangible difference in people's lives and our environment.

Our Mission and Values

Environment Oregon and Environment America are part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://environmentamerica.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.

Environment Oregon is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boosted. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.