Michigan Environmental Council Action Fund: Senior Organizer MI Better Bottle Bill

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JOB DESCRIPTION

MI Better Bottle Bill Senior Organizer

About The Action Fund

The Michigan Environmental Council Action Fund is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) organization that was formed in 2019 to bring about positive change in Michigan’s environmental agenda through direct democracy. The Action Fund is part of the Michigan Environmental Council family of organizations, and we combine deep environmental policy expertise with broad alliances to move bold ideas to action.

About Our Campaign

The Action Fund intends to bring forward a proposal for the November 2026 general election to update Michigan’s “Bottle Bill” – our successful, 50 year old container deposit law that has empowered Michiganders to build one of the world’s most effective recycling programs. While Michiganders overwhelmingly support the Bottle Bill, they also strongly support modernizing the law to cover more containers and building a return system that is more convenient, efficient and clean to use. We’ve heard from consumers from across the state who are frustrated with our current law and we are leading a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations to deliver a Better Bottle Bill for Michigan.

You can learn more about our ideas for a Better Bottle Bill here.

Position

This role is based in Michigan and will require some travel throughout the state. The position reports to the Field Director and will be responsible for recruiting and training volunteers to collect petition signatures and advocate for the Better Bottle Bill, managing and supporting a team of paid canvassers, and coordinating with partner organizations and coalition members to leverage their volunteer networks.

Duties & Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment and Management

• Identify, recruit, train and retain a dedicated group of volunteers to collect petition signatures and advocate for the Better Bottle Bill.

• In coordination with the Field Director and other staff, identify and capitalize on opportunities, including public events, to work with coalition partners and other allied groups to leverage their volunteer networks for petition signatures, visibility, and voter engagement.

• Cultivate a local base of advocates and community leaders to support legislative pressure.

• Train and direct volunteers to engage legislators through calls, emails, and personal stories.

Canvasser Management

• With support from the Field Director and other staff, train and manage a team of canvassers to engage in door-to-door and site-based canvassing.

• Track petition gathering metrics daily, weekly, and monthly, ensuring that the pace of signature collection is sufficient to place the Better Bottle Bill on the ‘26 ballot.

• Engage in continuous training and support for canvassers, ensuring they have the skills to successfully meet required metrics.

Grassroots Fundraising

• In coordination with the Finance Director, train canvassers and volunteers to make small dollar requests for donations while performing door-to-door and site-based canvassing.

• Understand basic campaign finance and compliance regulations, in order to help train canvassers and volunteers on fundraising guidelines and best practices.

Voter Outreach and Persuasion

• After signatures are gathered and submitted, and with support from the Field Director and other staff, retrain and re-orient canvassers and organizers to engage in direct voter contact and persuasion door-to-door, at events and on the phones.

Data & QC Management

• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of grassroots legislative actions.

• Using VAN, create voter lists, cut canvassing turfs, and ensure that canvassers and volunteers are assigned canvassing lists daily.

• Track canvassing data and pull daily progress reports.

• Review canvassing data to ensure quality control with the assistance of the Field Director and Deputy Field Director.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• 2+ years of experience in electoral, nonprofit or labor organizing with at least 1 cycle managing volunteers or paid staff.

• Experience with the strategies, tools, and tactics used to mobilize the public to support an issue advocacy or ballot campaign.

• Experience tracking metrics, managing data, and meeting ambitious goals.

• Proficiency with VAN.

Preferred:

• Previous experience organizing for signature collection or environmental advocacy programs.

• Previous experience working on a campaign in Michigan and a strong understanding of the political landscape from Metro-Detroit to the Upper Peninsula.

• Strong Preference for Grand Rapids or Lansing Area Location(s)

Other Position Notes

This position requires some travel throughout Michigan. The Environmental Council has offices in Lansing, Detroit and Marquette. This role is hybrid, but will require regular in-person work. This position requires regular work outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends. The Environmental Council has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless you qualify for a federal government-approved accommodation.

Compensation Package

The Environmental Council Action Fund offers an industry-leading compensation package. The Bottle Bill Senior Organizer position includes a salary of $60,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on experience; full medical, dental and vision benefits; organizational matching to a 403(b) retirement program.

Please send a resume, cover letter, and three references for your application to Bottle Bill Field Director Amanda Lammon at [email protected]. If you have any questions about this position feel free to contact Amanda Lammon as well. In the subject line of your application please include “Senior Organizer Application, Your Name”