About Appalachian Voices

Appalachian Voices is a nonprofit advocacy organization that brings people together to protect the land, air, and water of Central and Southern Appalachia and advance a just transition to a clean energy economy. We currently have over 40 staff members across the region, with offices located in Boone, NC; Charlottesville, VA; Norton, VA; and Knoxville, TN. 

Commitment to Equity

Appalachian Voices is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion both in our work and in our organizational structure. We seek applicants who share and exhibit these principles. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

We understand people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the position details and responsibilities listed. If you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill many of the requirements of this role, we encourage you to apply. We may tailor the role to a talented or passionate candidate.

Position Details

Our New Economy program works directly with communities to advance a just transition and build resilience in Central Appalachia. The New Economy Program Coordinator is a hybrid position based out of our Norton, Virginia, office and supports our community and economic redevelopment efforts by engaging community members, local government, and business leaders across the seven coalfield counties through our New Economy Program. The Program Coordinator will build relationships and projects with communities, support an ecosystem for collaboration on new state and federal opportunities, work to expand access to resiliency resources and community-based solar projects, and support communities with technical assistance and community activities. 

Our work in Southwest Virginia spans the seven-county, historically coal-producing region. This position will focus initially on work in Dickenson, Russell and Scott counties; however, the geographic scope of the position can grow to cover other parts of the coalfields. The Coordinator will build local power and engagement in the just transition movement by fostering the connections with communities to ensure that local, diverse community voices and perspectives inform the economic and community development decisions that are being made both within our organization and in the region as a whole. Foundational to success is a strong appreciation and understanding of community organizing in rural settings, economic and environmental justice concerns, and an understanding of community and economic development within a just transition framework. An individual with community-based grant writing and project management experience, or the aptitude to learn quickly, will do well in this role. 

The New Economy Program Coordinator will report to the New Economy Program Manager and will work with a diverse network of community partners to deliver successful programmatic and strategic campaigns to accelerate sustainable and equitable development in Southwest Virginia and Central Appalachia. In the face of climate change and hard-won environmental victories, the Program Coordinator joins a team and a movement building alternative systems where ecological integrity, social justice, and democracy drive our goal to build a new economy. This role will support the implementation of new federal funding sources and will work closely to leverage new community listening projects. 

Location

This position is based out of our Norton, Virginia, office with opportunities for a hybrid working schedule. This is a place-based employment opportunity with frequent in-person requirements in Dickenson, Scott, and Russell counties. It is an expectation that this position work from the Norton office bi-weekly (every other week) for in-person team meetings, though greater frequency will be welcomed and preferred. Clear expectations about working location will be determined based on where the selected candidate lives and other factors. 

Primary Roles & Responsibilities

Support and strengthen new and existing community-based projects: 

• Work with residents to form and/or support existing community associations and facilitate community participatory processes; 
• Recruit elected leaders to be new economy champions; 
• Build interest in community energy resiliency, climate mitigation, and other resilience related projects; 
• Work to elevate and amplify new opportunities for sustainable economic development, positive stories of building the new economy and Appalachian Voices' research and work; 
• Work with our communications team to develop other digital and print materials to mobilize our membership; 
• Regularly attend community meetings of local organizations working in aligned areas to listen, learn, and offer capacity; and 
• Serve as a connector in and between various groups, organizations, and local stakeholders to maximize opportunities for shared learning and collaboration. 

Provide project management and grant support to local partners and projects:

• Facilitate regular project development calls with partners; 
• Collaborate with the New Economy team to research and write local, state, and federal grants; and
• Track progress using Google tools and other administrative tools.

Connect with local residents and leaders who are building the New Economy: 

• Build trust and relationships with local entrepreneurs; 
• Identify opportunities for regenerative economic/community development on coal-impacted land; and 
• Coordinate with partners for regional initiatives. 

Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong skills in community engagement, organizing, and advocacy at the local and state level; 
• Understand, or be interested in learning, state and federal policies and programs that impact Central Appalachia, particularly at the intersection of environmental justice, renewable energy, and economic development; 
• Have excellent written and verbal communications skills; 
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn a variety of platforms (G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Asana) and working knowledge of standard office equipment;
• Utilize well-honed and flexible project management skills, with the ability to steward multiple projects simultaneously; and 
• Thrive in a highly collaborative setting while being self-motivated and creative. 

Compensation

This is a full-time, non-exempt position and is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit; specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Appalachian Voices offers competitive compensation and benefits that include employer-paid health care, vision, and dental policies with options to include family members at a reduced cost; short- and long-term disability plans; generous paid vacation and parental leave; flexible working hours; and an employer-matched retirement plan.

Salary is commensurate with experience; however, the expected salary range is between $50,000-$60,000.We are open to feedback from the market and would welcome the opportunity to connect with candidates who may be outside of the compensation band. Appalachian Voices is committed to equity in pay practices.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until this position is filled. For early consideration, candidates shall apply by Friday, June 7th, 2024. Using this application link, please submit a resume and a brief cover letter that addresses the questions below. 

1. What’s your connection to Appalachia and why do you want to work in Virginia’s coalfields?
2. Discuss your experience working with communities: what was the objective, who was involved, and what was your role?
3. Describe your interest in environmental justice. 

Appalachian Voices participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.