With more than 10,000 fracking wells already drilled and more every day, our environment is at risk. Drilling operations poison drinking water; emit millions of pounds of methane and smog-forming pollution; and carve up our state forests and parks.

For the last decade, PennEnvironment has lead the charge to protect communities from fracking. Our grassroots campaign with more than 30,000 citizens helped win a moratorium on fracking in the Delaware River Basin. Our reports on the dangers of toxic gas drilling waste helped mobilize a network of citizens and partners to end the use of open-air fracking waste pits. And, we’ve helped launch a statewide coalition of more than 1,000 health professionals and public health organizations to highlight the threat fracking poses to Pennsylvanians.

Clean water to drink and clean air to breathe; healthy waterways from the Three Rivers to the Delaware that are safe for swimming and fishing; preserved parks and wilderness from Ohiopyle to the Delaware Water Gap; clean sources of energy that don’t pollute and never run out, and citizens who are able to stand up and make sure this is Pennsylvania’s future—all this should be the heritage we leave to future generations. 

We defend our environment from powerful polluters by mobilizing tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians, conducting independent research, and executing tough-minded advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Program Director works directly with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to ensure that our organization is efficient, effective and powerful. S/he helps develop organizational and programmatic goals and tracks our progress; coordinates and evaluates our power-building, and facilitates fundraising, communication, information sharing and staff development throughout the organization and with our allies. A member of the leadership team, the Program Director exercises sound judgment and discretion in making decisions about the short and long-term direction of PennEnvironment. 

Representative Responsibilities Include:

• Program development: Develop our approach to protecting fracking within a broader political context, developing specific campaigns to protect communities from fracking, creating materials for all our organizers, and coordinate messaging.
• Advocacy: Bring problems and solutions to the attention of decision-makers—including state legislators, the governor’s staff, state regulators and local officials. Develop appropriate messages and materials for making the case to decision makers; build relationships with key players in Pennsylvania, the region and at the federal level.
• Media Outreach: You will serve as the public spokesperson for our fracking campaigns through media events, press releases, editorial board meetings, opinion media and other communications to help educate the public about the damage caused by fracking and potential solutions, demonstrate support for our positions, and build name recognition for our organization on this issue.
• Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff, and meet with major donors, all to bring more resources to campaigns we’re waging to protect our environment. Work with our citizen outreach staff to build and develop our membership base.
• Citizen Organizing: Work with PennEnvironment’s members to build our activist network on fracking; engage the public to take action on critical environmental issues; build and activate our online network of 120,000 activists throughout the Commonwealth.
• Collaboration: Work to build stronger coalitions to stop fracking, including the work of Protect PA, a statewide coalition of health experts; building relationships with new allies; and work with existing coalition partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum five years of professional experience in grassroots organizing, organization building, and/or campaign politics. Related advanced degrees, such as a J.D. or master’s degree, may count towards experience. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to environmental issues and to citizen-based social change; experience in state-level political advocacy and organizing; a proven ability to recruit, train and develop staff; the ability to raise money; and demonstrated success in building relationships with the full spectrum of environmental and political stakeholders. Experience working in Pennsylvania’s environmental and political communities a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Target annual compensation for this position is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has. PennEnvironment offers a competitive benefits package.

LOCATION

This position is based in Philadelphia

TO APPLY

Apply online: http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/PAE-fracking-director.html

Direct your cover letter to Adam Garber, Deputy Director.