Pesticide Action Network North America
Hawai’i Organizer (Contract) • Part-time
General Job Description
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North America seeks a high-impact contract Organizer to support activities related to an international convening of food democracy and environmental health advocates on the Hawaiian islands. PAN North America is working with the rest of PAN International network and allies on Hawai’i to convene an international food justice summit in January 2016. The primary role of the part-time Organizer will be to build support for this summit through community outreach, media work, and online engagement leading up to and following the event. This position combines coalition-building with community organizing and expertise in both social and traditional media.
PAN and Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) are organizing a week of activities focusing on the global nature of the pesticide problems experienced in many Hawai’i communities — a symptom of corporate control of agriculture worldwide. The events will take place in multiple venues January 14-22, and will include a speaking tour with international experts, a public conference, targeted meetings with organizers and impacted communities and a small-scale strategy session. The activities will be designed to help local leaders engage a broad cross-section of people in dialogue and action around health, agriculture, economics and self-determination.
PAN North America seeks to hire an individual who can bring Hawaiian, multi-ethnic and other impacted communities to the fore of our efforts; add additional scientific strength; and draw connections with allied groups and leaders in the Pacific Rim through PAN Asia and Pacific.
The ideal candidate will bring at least two years of organizing experience, formal organizing training and a commitment to continued learning. They will be bilingual in English and Hawaiian, Ilocano or Tagalog; tech savvy; a good writer for social media; a strategic thinker; and thrive on building public relationships as part of an organizing effort for change. The preferred base for this position is Oahu, though we will consider candidates in other parts of Hawai’i. The position includes travel throughout the state. This is a part-time (approximately 20 hours per week), short-term independent contractor position through February 28, 2016, with the possibility of an extension and increased hours, based on needs, resources and performance. Compensation is competitive and depends on qualifications and experience.
Background
Hawai’i is a global epicenter for the world’s largest pesticide corporations’ testing of new genetically engineered (GE) crops. Farmers, farmworkers and agricultural communities here are exposed to inordinate levels of pesticides that accompany GE seed development and testing on the islands. These seeds are then shipped around the world, impacting local food systems and amplifying existing problems with land, water and other resources.
Over the past few years, an exciting, high-profile movement has risen up to counter the pesticide corporations that are driving the industrial agriculture agenda in Hawai’i. This movement is rooted in the history of struggle on the islands around issues of cultural and political sovereignty, and a history of domination by a handful of powerful agricultural interests.
PAN has a long history on Hawai’i that stretches back some two decades to early fights around GE crops on the islands. Most recently we’ve engaged in community-led efforts to challenge industrial agriculture including hiring a short-term contract organizer to support the struggle on Kaua’i to pass Bill 2491 (ordinance 660) that led the first and most comprehensive law to limit pesticide use near vulnerable communities. And we’ve remained involved in litigation around that effort to protect the law the County passed.
Given these opportunities, PAN intends to make a deeper investment in Hawai’i, as well as the links to our international network. We seek an organizer with an interest in science, experience working in Hawai’i and across different cultures, and proven ability to communicate agricultural or food and policy issues.
The Organization
Pesticide Action Network North America works to to create a just, thriving system of food and farming. We link local and international consumer, labor, health, environment and agriculture groups into an international citizens’ action network. Headquartered in Oakland, California, with offices in Minneapolis and Sacramento, we are one of five PAN Regional Centers worldwide. PAN works with and on behalf of our core constituencies, including farmworker, small-scale farmer, and indigenous Hawaiian groups – prioritizing those most directly impacted in the food system. We bring an international connection, especially to Asia and the Pacific. And we also bring a commitment to science and grassroots science, especially around pesticides and agriculture. More detailed information is available at www.panna.org.
Responsibilities
Organizing
Build productive relationships with native Hawaiian and Filipino groups, and those living on the front lines of pesticide exposure
Support multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual strategic planning towards transforming the food system
Support skills training and storytelling events of international community leaders from Hawai’i and around world
Advocacy communications
Support local media and social media attention of food justice summit events
Track and get up to speed on issues and bodies of research as needed
Help generate earned media on our issues
Write for traditional media and social media in the form of blog posts, op-eds or other thought pieces as opportunities arise to reframe public conversation on our issues
Support the public release of a new report on the impacts of children living on the front lines of pesticide exposure
Engage and cultivate other strategic spokespeople, especially community members living on the front lines, farmers and health professionals
Administration
Maintain campaign records and track expenses
Connect regularly with Oakland headquarters via videoconference to participate in team meetings
Coordinate weekly with supervisor, PAN’s Organizing Director
Qualifications
Required:
Two-plus years organizing experience and proven campaign success working with partners from diverse, multi-racial communities
Excellent verbal and writing skills, including the ability to translate technical information into lay terms that inspire action
Very strong drive
Strong project management skills and follow-through
Proficiency in social media, including Facebook and Twitter
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Ability to work in diverse teams, and manage time and workload effectively
Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative and solve problems creatively
Valid driver’s license and safe driving record, and willingness to travel throughout Hawai’i
Comfort with public speaking, including speaking with media and policymakers.
Preferred:
Experience with food system reform, environmental health, and/or social justice is strongly preferred
Familiarity with Google apps and a Mac environment is helpful, though not necessary
Preferred start: late November 2015
Hawaiian, Ilocano, or Tagalog fluency
PAN strongly encourages applications from people of color and people with multi-cultural
experience. For this particular position, preference will also be given to candidates who have lived in or have connections to native Hawaiian or farmworker communities. For more information about PAN North America please visit:http://www.panna.org
How to apply
Please submit an email with “Hawaii Organizer: [your name]” in the subject line, and attach a letter of interest, a resume with work experience, salary history, a copy of an organizing or campaign plan you have developed in the past, and a writing sample to ptowers@panna.org.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Selections of candidates for interview will be made beginning November 16, 2015 and continue as long as well-qualified candidates present themselves or until the position is filled.