Northern Plains Resource Council seeks an Agriculture Organizer who will develop the leadership of farmers, ranchers, and regular Montanans to organize and build power on ag issues. This role also organizes Northern Plains’ local chapter in eastern Montana, Eastern Montana Resource Council. In this role, you won’t be tied to a desk, you’ll meet lots of people, and you’ll make change happen at the grassroots level.

WHO WE ARE

Northern Plains is a grassroots organization of people from the plains and mountains, cities and towns. We are everyday Montanans who love where we live. We stand up, shoulder-to-shoulder, to protect this place we all call home.

We believe that true prosperity begins with healthy land, water, and air. We believe that our families, farms, ranches, schools, businesses, governments, and communities thrive when we are good stewards of these resources. We believe that if we look beyond our fences, listen to one another, and keep our minds open, we will find creative solutions to secure a clean, healthful environment for all.

We are working toward a future where we live in harmony with nature, where our economy serves the people rather than the people serving the economy, where neighbors work side-by-side to build a world that lives up to our ideals of fairness, inclusion, and justice.

For over 50 years, Northern Plains Resource Council has helped Montanans organize to protect water quality, family farms and ranches, and our unique quality of life.

LOCATION: This position is based in Billings, Montana. We also welcome applicants who are based in and prefer to remain in any of the following eastern Montana counties: Dawson, Wibaux, Richland, Fallon, Prairie, McCone, and Custer. This is an in-person position for individuals based in Billings but comes with flexible working arrangements.

We are a team of hard-working, dedicated individuals who honor and promote a healthy work/life balance. Our LEED Platinum certified office in Billings is full of natural light, outbursts of laughter, and is frequently visited by our furry, four-legged friends.   

You will be directly supervised by the Director of Organizing and work with members from all over the state. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop the organizing skills, leadership, and commitment of members and leaders across our base;
• Work with members and leaders to build and execute strategic campaigns on issues impacting agricultural producers and eastern Montanans;
• Serve as the lead organizer for Eastern Montana Resource Council, Northern Plains’ chapter in eastern Montana;
• Build and maintain your understanding of agriculture in Montana, and the issues impacting ag producers;
• Participate in grassroots fundraising efforts;
• Plan effective meetings, organizing actions, and events;
• Communicate clearly, orally and in writing;
• Recruit new members to Northern Plains;
• Uphold our member-led model of grassroots and democratic decision-making.

WHO YOU ARE

• You have a relationship to, familiarity with, or interest in agriculture;
• Commitment to building the power of regular people through member-led, grassroots community organizing;
• Commitment to or comfort with Northern Plains’ issues and values;
• Strong communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to get along well with people from a wide range of backgrounds and personalities;
• Highly motivated, proactive work style with excellent organizational skills and follow through;
• Ability to work collaboratively with teams of both staff and member leaders;
• Ability to travel and be away overnight;
• Embraces Northern Plains’ mission.

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we still encourage you to apply.

Also helpful:

• Familiarity with environmental issues;
• Familiarity with broader movements for social, economic, and environmental justice

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Our compensation philosophy and transparent salary structure flows from our belief that our people are the most important part of our organization. We offer thriving wages, ample benefits, and opportunities for growth and development.

The salary for this position starts at $46,000. We offer options for fully and partially employer-paid health insurance, 20 days of paid vacation plus 13 paid holidays (including the week from Christmas Eve through New Year), 12 days of paid sick and personal leave, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave with the option to extend utilizing other leave types. In addition, we offer a retirement plan, an employer paid cell phone plan, and a sabbatical program.  

This is a full-time, permanent position and is represented by Teamsters Local 190 and its terms and conditions are subject to negotiation between Northern Plains and the Union.

Call (406) 248-1154 with any questions, or email Caitlin Cromwell at hiring@northernplains.org.

The position will remain open until filled.