Ecology Ottawa is looking for volunteer activists to join a dynamic team that is working to promote environmental leadership in the City of Ottawa. The volunteer activist’s core task will be to support Ecology Ottawa campaigns on clean rivers and streams, the urban tree canopy, the municipal climate change strategy, safe and walkable communities, and stopping the Energy East tar sands pipeline – all within the context of the 2014 municipal election. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to learn more about the municipal electoral process as well as how an active, grassroots environmental organization functions. You will participate directly in project and campaign development and execution, and receive specialized training in a wide range of relevant areas.
As part of this position, the volunteer activist will benefit from ongoing specialized training in areas such as communications, media relations, lobbying and issue advocacy. There will be additional learning opportunities in organizational governance, policy development, database management and project management.
In return, you will be expected to:
- Provide a minimum of 20 hours per week on an unpaid basis until the end of August, and a minimum of 10 hours per week on an unpaid basis until the end of October (candidates will be prioritized according to their time commitment);
- Become familiar with Ecology Ottawa’s issue campaigns and organizational philosophy;
- Take part in all relevant training offered by Ecology Ottawa; and
- Participate in community organizing outreach, which may include campaign design, database management, event coordination, telephone outreach and door-to-door canvassing.
Successful candidates for this volunteer position will have some combination of the following:
- A passion for environmental and political advocacy;
- A strong commitment to social and environmental justice;
- An interest in learning more about – and contributing to – environmental organizations and project and campaign development;
- A relevant educational background, such as political science, environmental studies, geography, urban planning, humanities, social work, etc.;
- Attention to detail;
- Strong oral and writing skills (French language skills are a major asset);
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- Experience working for not-for-profit organizations or relevant areas of work; and
- A good sense of humour.
We are seeking to bring together a small team of committed volunteers and applications will be considered as they are received.
If you are interested in gaining experience with Ottawa’s leading grassroots environmental organization and contributing to our efforts to make Ottawa the green capital of Canada, please send a cover letter outlining your motivation for applying along with your resume to: [email protected].
Latest posts
Announcing our Executive Director!
Dear Ecology Ottawa Community,
I want to share some exciting news with you. After serving as Program Coordinator at Ecology Ottawa for two years, I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director in July; today, I’m honoured to write to you as permanent Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa.
2025 Budget: Ecology Ottawa calls for more trees, CCMP funding, and engagement
At a meeting of City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee on Wednesday, November 13, Ecology Ottawa called for further funding of climate action in Ottawa, improvements to the City's budget consultation process, and more trees—many more trees