Green Corps
Part One: Classroom Training
Green Corps trainees participate in eight weeks of intensive classroom training conducted by representatives from a wide range of organizations and campaigns. Past trainers include Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org; Phil Radford, former executive director of Greenpeace; Margie Alt, executive director of Environment America; and other respected leaders who have contributed to the growth and victories of major environmental organizations over the past three decades.
Through instruction and practice, our staff and trainers present overviews on the biggest issues facing our environment and case studies on defining campaigns as well as teaching a variety of valuable skills, such as volunteer recruitment, campaign planning, public speaking, fundraising, and much more.
Part Two: Field Training on Real Campaigns
Green Corps organizers receive the bulk of their training through hands-on experience working on behalf of organizations such as the Sierra Club and Food & Water Watch. Organizers are able to implement classroom training skills working on some of the most pressing issues of the day with responsibilities including recruiting, training and supervising volunteers; organizing visibility events; securing media coverage; and building strong coalitions.
Green Corps organizers lead three to five different campaigns in communities across the country. By working with several different campaign partners, organizers experience a diversity of issues, tactics and organizations. Green Corps organizers travel to different cities for campaigns, allowing them to work with different communities and constituencies.
For example, a team of organizers last year helped run a campaign that persuaded Kellogg’s to pressure its supplier of palm oil to stop destroying tropical forests.
Other Green Corps organizers have played critical roles in the retirement of over a dozen coal-fired power plants on the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign.
Part Three: After Your Green Corps Year
After completing the training program, Green Corps connects graduates to groups looking to hire full-time staff. Our alumni now work with organizations such as Environment America, the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Corporate Accountability International, Rainforest Action Network, National Wildlife Federation, 350.org, and NRDC, among others. Due to Green Corps’ rigorous training program and the great need for trained organizers in many social change organizations, Green Corps organizers are often able to find professional positions immediately after completing the program.
Location and Salary
Salary for this position is $25,000. Green Corps offers a competitive benefits package. Eligible staff receive paid holidays, sick days, and vacation days; and the opportunity to enroll in our group health care, college loan assistance programs. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.
We take into consideration location preferences as well as people's skill sets to see where organizers will make the biggest impact and receive the best training experience.
