California Director

Food & Water Watch is looking for a California Director to join our organizing team to develop bold organizing campaigns to protect our food, water, and climate and to build out the volunteer and membership base of the organization in California. The California Director will work closely with organizers, volunteers, allies, policymakers and other staff at Food & Water Watch. This position must be based in California. 

About Food & Water Watch:

Food & Water Watch is working to create a healthy future for all people and generations to come—a world where everyone has clean drinking water, a livable climate and a sustainable food system. We have a long track record of using people power to take on and win against powerful interests, both in California and nationally. This includes banning fracking in New York and Maryland, and being on the brink of banning the practice in California; Stopping water privatization in dozens of communities across the country including San Diego and Felton in California; and advancing federal legislation to fund water infrastructure, thanks in part to Congressional champions we have developed in California. Our work is centered around involving people in the pressing issues of our time at the local, state, and federal level, building on one win after another, as we develop a larger movement that has the political power to make our democratic process work. 

About the position:

The California Director will report to the Managing Director of Organizing and will work with other staff on the organizing, policy, communications, research and digital teams to support Food & Water Watch’s work. The California Director will oversee the strategic direction of Food & Water Watch’s local and state campaigns in California, help support federal campaigns on climate change, protecting our water resources, and banning factory farms, manage the team of California organizers, work with organizers to build out the Food & Water Volunteer Network work with the philanthropy team to identify and cultivate major donors and foundation support and work closely with our legislative, research, communications, outreach and field staff to build the organization and further our campaign goals. 

Salary: $115,000 - $130,000 

Location: California

Responsibilities               

1. Manage the California organizers.
2. Develop campaign plans. Work with other staff to establish long and short-term goals, strategies, and tactics to win our campaigns. 
3. Build the membership base and work with the Philanthropy team to identify and cultivate major donors and foundation contacts in California.
4. Organize campaign tactics. Plan and execute strategic tactics to meet the needs of our campaigns, including educational events, base-building drives, and actions directed at elected officials. 
5. Build Volunteer Network in State. Work with organizers to build a strong base of volunteers and volunteer leaders in the state.
6. Develop relationships with groups and leaders working across the state and engage them in campaign efforts at the local and state level.
7. Build capacity. Develop the leadership of volunteers and grassroots organizations by offering training and organizing support.
8. Represent Food & Water Watch. Speak at public events and in press interviews on behalf of the organization. Participate in coalitions and joint campaigns or tactics.
9. Write to inspire action. Develop educational materials such as factsheets, action alerts, website content and newsletter articles on campaign issues.
10. Use digital tools. Become proficient in tools such as ThruText, Hubdialer, and Mobilize.
11. Know our issues. Maintain familiarity with Food & Water Watch’s priority issue campaigns and policy positions, and respond to information and support requests from activists, coalition members, and the media.
12. Build Food & Water Watch for the long haul. Participate in member recruitment and fundraising activities for Food & Water Watch.
13. Carry out other projects as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• At least 7 years of full-time organizing experience. 
• Experience managing organizers and leading a team.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective organizing strategies. 
• Experience in working on advocacy and legislative campaigns at the local, state and federal level; Familiarity with California politics desired.
• Experience in organization building and development experience; 
• Experience working with the media 
• Knowledge of climate, water or food issues.
• Commitment to Food & Water Watch’s core values of justice, human dignity, fair treatment, and equity.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse racial, ethnic, class, age, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills. 
• Excellent time management & organizational skills and ability to balance multiple projects.
• Ability to work remotely using basic online programs, including email, Slack, and Google docs.

Compensation: $115,000 - $130,000 annually dependent upon experience and location.

Food & Water Watch provides an excellent benefits package for full-time employees. This includes 100% employer-paid health, dental and vision plans for staff; 403b retirement plans with employer contribution after 1 year; 12 weeks paid parental leave; 3 weeks vacation for new employees; 12 sick days and 5 personal days; paid federal holidays and winter break (December 24 – January 1).   

Click here to apply. Please include as one combined document your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three professional references to be considered. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

We will review your application and if we feel that your knowledge, skills and abilities are potentially a good match for our organization, we will be in contact with you. 

Food and Water Watch is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other members of underrepresented groups. 

Food & Water Watch (FWW) is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science-based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants, and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, prospective new staff members are required to provide proof of vaccination or request a waiver as a condition of their offer of employment.