Address real problems and get meaningful results. If you want a job where you can work to solve problems each day, consider a job with the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). CALPIRG is a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of the public interest. Starting with thorough research, we tackle problems that need to be solved.
The U.S. has more problems than it should tolerate, and more solutions than it uses. That phrase captures the spirit with which the CALPIRG was founded. But it is hard to imagine things changing with so many people sitting out the elections and alienated from government. And to make matters worse, our educational system has become more focused on producing skilled employees rather than training effective citizens. That is where CALPIRG campus organizers come in. CALPIRG organizers recruit students, faculty and community members to investigate problems and build support for solutions. CALPIRG organizers, and the volunteers they train, research issues, build coalitions, work with the media, educate the public, and generate citizen support on issues ranging from poverty to environmental protection. Through their actions, they win concrete reforms, acquire the skills necessary to be a leader in the public interest movement, and leave a legacy of skilled, trained leaders capable of tackling society's most pressing problems. For more information about the CALPIRGs' student chapters, visit www.calpirgstudents.org.
Run public interest campaigns. Campus Organizers lead a variety of public interest campaigns on their campuses, giving students an opportunity to solve pressing social problems. Among the many recent examples are: The UC-Santa Cruz chapter documented the need for and benefits of purchasing clean, renewable energy and then ran a grassroots campaign to get UCSC to go 100$ renewable; student interns and Campus Organizers from the UC-Davis chapter gained media attention about the rising crisis of student debt and testified before the Department of Education which resulted in the DOE to adopt student debt reform as one of the issue areas they would study; Campus Organizers and students from the UC-Irvine released a report that highlighted the unnecessary high costs of textbooks which was covered in national media; and at the University of Southern California, student interns organized a conference to address hunger and homelessness that drew 400 students from around the country and kicked off the annual Hunger Cleanup which raises $70,000 a year for local shelters.
Educate students and train new leaders. Campus Organizers develop educational programs to teach citizenship skills and inform the campus community about important public interest issues. Campus Organizers also oversee an internship program, through which students can earn academic course credit for public interest research and advocacy.
Build an organization. Campus Organizers build active, cohesive and highly visible campus chapters that are recognized by faculty and student leaders as an asset to the campus community. In the summer months and over the winter break, Campus Organizers learn to canvass and run effective citizen outreach campaigns.
Recent college graduates earn $23,750 in their first year on staff. In addition, full-time staff can opt into our state health care coverage, are eligible for paid sick and vacation days, and can apply for our college loan assistance program. Our staff accrue two weeks of vacation by the end of their first year and three weeks by the end of their second year. Staff are also eligible to join our 401(k) program in their second year.
Location(s)
Los Angeles, CA
Application
To apply send a cover letter and a copy of your resume to CALPIRG’s Organizing Director, Danny Katz at