Appalachian Gas Working Group (AGWG) Coordinator

Reports to WV Rivers Coalition Program Director

The primary function of the AGWG Coordinator is to work closely with the WV Rivers Program Director and other AGWG Partners’ staff on the overall management of AGWG Strategic Plan and facilitate communication and coordination among the working group and across its teams.

Position Description:

This is an hourly contracted position designed for a period of 6 months dependent on funding availability. Compensation rate is $20/hour with an expected workload averaging approximately 40 hours/month. Candidate must reside in West Virginia and have phone/internet access. Required travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Associated Tasks Include:

1. Plan quarterly meetings to enable the AGWG to meet face-to-face; to update, coordinate and assess work on the short-term goals identified in the teams’ workplans.
2. Coordinate monthly teleconferences of the team leaders to continue the work between the face-to-face meetings.
3. Organize a skill-building workshop in the Spring of 2018 for emerging local groups to build their capacity for community organizing, coalition building, and working with the media.

AGWG Vision Statement:

A coordinated effort to end public harm from fracking and fracked oil and gas infrastructure, and to support healthy communities, property rights and a just transition to clean renewable energy.

AGWG Teams:

• Legal and Environmental team focuses on scientific and legal analysis of permits needed to construct three major pipelines and other fracking related infrastructure. The team provides technical comments on the permits. Effective comments call out deficiencies in the permits to lay the groundwork for legal intervention.
• Organizing and Education team conducts outreach to landowners in the path of the pipelines and citizens otherwise affected by fracking infrastructure. Use the Legal and Environmental Team’s analysis to help citizens comment on the permits at the public hearings. Organize trainings and other events to educate communities.
• Media and Communications team provides unified messaging and a cohesive voice to oppose impacts of fracking development by drafting press releases and letters to the editor.
• Legislative and Political team identifies bills that are expected in the legislative session that threaten property rights and citizens’ rights or allow loopholes for the oil and gas industry to circumvent environmental regulations. Additionally, the team identifies candidates for public office who will stand up for citizen’s rights and public health.

AGWG Partners:

WV Rivers Coalition, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC), WV & VA Sierra Club, WV Highlands Conservancy, Appalachian Voices, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, PA League of Women Voters, Preserving Our Water Heritage and Rights (POWHR), Ohio River Citizens Alliance (ORCA), Friends of the Harmed, Mountain Lakes Preservation Alliance, Wetzel County Citizen Action Group, Headwaters Defense, Greenbrier River Watershed Association, Indian Creek Watershed Association, Eight Rivers Council, Christians for the Mountains, Preserve Monroe, Summers County Residents Against the Pipeline, Doddridge County Watershed Association, SW PA Environmental Health Project, Southwings, WV Citizens Action Group, WV Surface Owners Rights Organization

To Apply for Position:

Send resume and cover letter to wvrivers@wvrivers.org by October 20, 2017. Please include “Appalachian Gas Working Group Coordinator” in the subject line.