ista-talk  

[ISTA-talk]ISEN is hiring!

ISEN/Laura Huth
Thu, 09 Aug 2001 16:28:00 -0700

Title: ISEN is hiring!
Member Services Coordinator  (part-time)
Illinois Student Environmental Network
Urbana, Illinois

Background: The Illinois Student Environmental Network is a statewide not-for-profit organization founded in 1994. ISEN works with 117 member student environmental groups on over 90 Illinois college campuses that represent nearly 3,000 student activists in Illinois. ISEN's educational, outreach, and training programs help to prepare this generation of activists to be better environmental advocates; add their voices and skills to the larger environmental movement; and create stronger, better equipped student-led campaigns to protect our natural resources. Over the years, ISEN has experienced substantial increases in the services requested by our student members. To fill this need, ISEN has created several part-time positions to help train students in organizational and leadership skills, help them network with other student and non-student activists, and help students get answers to their most pressing questions about jobs, campaigns, and how to be better activists to create real change.

Position Description: ISEN's Member Services Coordinator works on a part-time basis to respond to students' regular requests for general information, campaign-related materials, and contacts for other organizations. Based on student need, the Coordinator will create a series of manuals to help students group and their members deal with some of their most common and pressing needs and issues. The Coordinator will also work with ISEN's Webmaster to post similar information onto ISEN's web site in a user-friendly, searchable manner and submit related materials for ISEN's monthly newsletter. The position requires extensive email and web use, research, and contact with environmental professionals, activists, and governmental representatives. Applicant must be highly self-motivated and very detail-oriented.

Responsibilities:
  Regularly respond to information requests from ISEN member groups in a detailed, exhaustive manner using telephone contact, e-mail, web, and on-site visits if necessary
  Create a series of "Mini-Manuals that respond to students' most common and pressing questions or needs. Examples include manuals on political processes geared to student activists, advocating for sustainable transportation in your college community, and Organizing Creative and Effective Events.
  Write articles addressing student inquiries and issues and compile Letter to the Editor section in newsletter
  Assist ISEN's Trainings Coordinator and Trainings Assistant in preparing ISEN's personalized on-site trainings requests and helping out at related trainings when possible
  Record and log requested services and information into a database throughout the year, post information on ISEN's web site for other groups to search
  Work with the Trainings Coordinator and Trainings Assistant to complete and distribute an Organizing Manual to member groups
  Work with Networking Coordinator to maintain a high quality, current database of information about our member groups including current contact people, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, projects, and group needs.
  Assist with ISEN fundraising/outreach activities, especially as they relate to the position.
  Collaborate with other ISEN employees to improve the quality of services that ISEN provides to members by attending weekly staff meetings, board retreats, and reviewing others work.
  At a future date, this position may expand to include oversight of ISEN's Resource Library, based on available funding (hours would also expand). Duties would include: acquiring new materials for the Library (donated or purchased), cataloging the materials in an existing database, publicizing availability of the Library as a community and student resource, and other responsibilities as the Library grows.

Requirements:
  Attention to detail
  Highly self-motivated
  Outstanding research skills
  Excellent oral and written communication skills
  Web page design, creation, or update experience a plus
  Mac computer proficiency and experience with Pagemaker, Microsoft Word, and web navigation software
  Ability to work in a fast-moving office environment
  Ability to handle multiple tasks at once with minimal oversight
  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required
  Interest in and passion for environmental issues

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and two references to: Laura Huth, ISEN Executive Director, 110 S. Race, Suite 202, Urbana, IL 61801 by Monday, August 27 or drop them off at the ISEN office in downtown Urbana. Along with your application packet, please enclose an answer to the following theoretical question from one of our students as your writing sample:

"I am graduating this winter from UIUC with a degree in environmental science and a minor in political science. I am looking for a job on the east coast doing outdoor environmental work, environmental policy work, or environmental education work. I am also interested in schools with graduate level programs in environment-related fields. I am thinking about pursuing a graduate degree while working full time. Do you know of any any resources of organizations I should contact to begin my search?"
  • [ISTA-talk]ISEN is hiring! ISEN/Laura Huth