Activist Training and Development Officer

Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. For over fifty years, Greenpeace has fought to save the planet from the threat of global warming, destruction of ancient forests, deterioration of our oceans, and the threat of a nuclear disaster.

Greenpeace does not accept funds from any corporations or government entities, safeguarding our independence and ability to speak the truth and act boldly.  We recognize the importance of the moment: ours is the first generation to understand and experience the impacts of climate change and global scale ecosystem destruction, and the last generation with a window of time to do something about it. 

ACTIONS TEAM SUMMARY

Members of the Action Team generate creative ideas to further campaign objectives, manage field logistics, train fired-up folks to be skilled activists, and coordinate direct action and event coordination. Members have a strong understanding of campaign strategies and experience in developing objectives and tactics to support them.  Members lead project teams of various sizes and are adept at delegation and coordination.  Team members are skilled at communication; planning, and personnel; and project management.  Members can run effective and efficient meetings, and use all available technology to communicate and plan with a diverse range of people dynamically and effectively.  They have a savvy for finding ways to move work forward.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Activist Training and Development Officer is responsible for coordinating and implementing a comprehensive, dynamic and energetic activist program that identifies, trains, and develops capable volunteers for participation in Greenpeace non-violent direct actions. The Activist Training and Development Officer develops and implements skills training in their areas of expertise and facilitates training in others. They will also coordinate field events, direct actions and other activities as directed by the Action Team Director, Action Team Deputy Director or Activist Program Manager.

The Activist Training and Development Officer is highly skilled in communication and planning. They work well under pressure, are competent to assess health and safety issues relating to direct action work, have a commitment to the ideals of Greenpeace and a vast knowledge of environmental and peace issues. They are an excellent strategic thinker, skilled in conflict resolution, demonstrating a high degree of initiative and creativity. They are committed to non-violent direct action as means of affecting change. The position requires travel both within and, at times, outside the United States.

We will be hiring two full-time, exempt positions that will be based in Washington, DC, and Oakland, CA and will work often at the warehouse, where many of the trainings take place and where training gear is housed and maintained.  The successful candidate will work with the warehouse staff to facilitate and maintain the spaces. 

Due to the nature of the job and expected heavy fieldwork, the Activist Training and Development Officer is expected to travel extensively and be prepared for a highly dynamic and flexible working environment. 

The Activist Training & Development Officer is responsible for: 

ACTIVIST RECRUITMENT, DEVELOPMENT, & RETENTION

• Activist Program curricula development and implementation
• Competent assessment of safety and risk management in all direct action and training environments for all parties involved
• Travel on a regular basis through the USA and internationally as required
• Recruit and develop professional relations with new activists
• Recruit skilled professional and technical specialists as needed
• Travel on a regular basis through the USA and internationally as required
• Recruit and develop professional relations with new activists
• Recruit skilled professional and technical specialists as needed
• Other duties as assigned by the Activist Program Manager

PROJECT MANAGEMENT / DIRECT ACTION COORDINATION

• Responsible for logistical planning, preparation, coordination and execution of direct actions, direct communications, protests, investigations, tours, ship-based actions and other interventions
• Ensure that all personnel in direct actions strictly apply to health and safety procedures
• Ensure that all Action Team planning processes are adhered to. Responsible for administrative duties pertaining to Action Team procedures in the preparation, execution and follow-up of events, including updating action personnel data, loss/damage insurance claims, etc.
• Responsible for all financial aspects of action projects, including budget proposals, cost control, processing invoices and producing after-project budget reports

RISK MANAGEMENT

• Conduct thorough risk assessments and risk mitigation plans for field activities. Manage risks (life and limb, organizational, budget, and reputable) in real-time through development and deployment of activities
• Ensure that all personnel in direct actions strictly apply to health and safety protocols and procedures
• Inspect, maintain and control inventory for all climbing equipment housed in Greenpeace warehouses
• Assessment and judgment of activist and volunteer proficiency as relates to technical skills (driving, boating, climbing, and aerial operations, etc), the ability to safely and competently operate heavy equipment and proper use of personal protection equipment
• Assessment and judgment of activist and volunteer proficiency to exercise sound judgment in the field, ability to represent Greenpeace in public settings, and ability to function calmly under extreme duress

• Lead and manage teams of staff, volunteers, and activists in the field 
• Line management of fellows and interns

OTHER

• Maintain and develop excellent relations with the direct actions staff throughout all Greenpeace offices including International Marine & Actions Division
• Develop and maintain relationships with other non-violent direct action organizations and with skilled professionals in related fields
• On occasion represent Greenpeace to the media, authorities, allies or opponents
• Perform any other job related duties assigned by the Actions leadership staff

Minimum Requirements of the Activist Training & Development Officer include:

• Three or more years experience working on environmental and social change issues
• Experience working with and managing activists and/or activist networks.
• Experience as a trainer in one or more of: non-violent direct action, boat driving, climbing, blockades, art in activism/prop building, field research, anti-oppression/collective liberation, wilderness first aid
• Ability to connect with a cross section of society/diverse groups: cultures, age groups, etc.
• Ability to plan and organize recruitment drives
• Ability to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of recruiting program
• Proven candor when giving feedback to potential activists
• Ability to develop and mentor people
• Ability to negotiate with vendors and service specialists
• Proven team leadership, management abilities and personnel assessment skills
• Experience in coordinating and/or team leading in direct actions and/or experience in managing large teams of people in complex and stressful situations
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Excellent organizing, project management, and planning skills
• Budget management experience
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to be self-directed and to work well under pressure
• Commitment to the ideals of Greenpeace, including a global perspective
• Commitment to non-violence and skilled in conflict resolution
• Understanding of environmental and peace issues
• Understanding of health and safety issues relating to direct actions
• Diverse research skills
• Ability to work with confidential information
• Computer literacy
• Current driving license
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively
• College degree or equivalent experience

Desirable qualities and skills of the Activist Training & Development Officer include:

• Experience/expertise in tactical communications and electronic equipment, the geeky language of computers and how they work and think, two-way radio communications (equipment including UHF, VHF and airband), wireless transmission and reception devices, radio frequency scanners, antennae and antenna systems, gizmos, gadgets, etc.
• Experience working with ships or other vessels
• Experience working as a campaigner for either Greenpeace or other non-profit organizations
• Experience working within a complex organization

COVID

As of Q1 2022, most Greenpeace employees are working from home due to COVID-19. In accordance with Greenpeace values to maintain a safe and healthy working environment, we have adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees, supporters, and the community at large from COVID-19.

Current and future employees in need of an exemption from this policy for medical reasons, or because of sincerely held religious beliefs may request exemption. Accommodations will be granted where they do not cause Greenpeace undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary for this position starts at $57,575 and is commensurate with experience.

Greenpeace USA values a healthy work-life balance and has flexible, family-friendly employment policies. Our competitive benefits package for full-time employees includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with low contributions from staff. We have options for pretax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care costs. Greenpeace employees enjoy generous 6% 401K matching. New staff members receive 3 weeks vacation, 10 sick days, 2 personal days in their first year. Additionally we are closed Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.

After 1 year of service staff members receive 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave and after five years, staff are eligible for a 12 week paid sabbatical. To encourage public transportation use and biking, we offer subsidies for staff who choose to bike or ride mass transit to work. Greenpeace is committed to the growth and development of staff and fostering a creative workplace culture. For more information, check out our benefits plan.

Only applicants eligible to work and live in the United States without any legal restrictions need apply for this opportunity.

If you want to save the world from climate change and believe in environmental justice, please submit an application on our careers page. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will conclude once we have found the best candidate.

Greenpeace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family/marital status, religion or other protected classes. We strongly encourage applications from marginalized communities. If you require assistance applying to this opportunity, please contact resumes@greenpeace.org.