Black Lung Coordinator

About Appalachian Voices

Appalachian Voices is a nonprofit advocacy organization that brings people together to protect

the land, air and water of Central and Southern Appalachia and advance a just transition to a

clean energy economy. We currently have over 45 staff members across the region, with offices

located in Boone, NC; Charlottesville, VA; Norton, VA; Knoxville, TN; and Charleston, WV.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Appalachian Voices is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people from all

backgrounds to apply. AV is committed to building a team that represents a variety of

backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for

all employees. We understand people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal,

educational and volunteer experiences, and encourage candidates with transferable skills to

apply.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,

creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin,

citizenship status, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis

protected by law. AV’s hiring and employment decisions are based solely on a person’s merit and

qualifications.

Need assistance? If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require a reasonable

accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or need assistance applying

for this position, please contact [email protected].

Position Details

Appalachian Voices is seeking a Black Lung Coordinator as part of our Coal Impacts team.

The objectives of the Coal Impacts team are to address the environmental and public health

impacts of coal mining in the Appalachian states of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and

Tennessee, to build grassroots power in these areas, and to work in solidarity with movements

for environmental justice, conservation and community resiliency throughout Appalachia and

beyond.

In close collaboration with community partners, our team works to build grassroots power with

individuals who are impacted by black lung. We leverage this power to win grassroots campaigns

that reduce the rate of black lung in our region, and that ensure that workers affected by the

disease are compensated by the coal industry and the government through medical care and

disability benefits.

Our work together with our partners has been successful in achieving a permanent extension of the Black Lung Excise Tax – a crucial source of funding for the federal black lung benefits program. However, monthly black lung disability benefits remain insufficient and difficult to access, funding for miners’ health and safety programs remains insufficient, and regulation protecting mine workers from exposure to silica dust are ineffective and in need of reform.

On the state level in Virginia, miners with black lung cannot apply for black lung workers’

compensation if their disease does not become disabling within five years of leaving work in the

mines. Black lung continues to develop even after a worker leaves the mines and often takes

more than five years to become disabling, thus making the miner ineligible for workers’

compensation.

This position will foster the connection between community members and our work, ensuring

that partners and individuals who are directly impacted by black lung disease inform our

strategies and priorities. With a focus on developing and mobilizing grassroots leaders and

supporters who are impacted by the disease, the Black Lung Coordinator will advance campaigns

to extend or eliminate the five-year statute of limitations affecting Virginia black lung workers’

compensation claims, and to increase the amount of monthly black lung disability benefits paid

to miners and their dependents.

Depending on capacity and need, the Black Lung Coordinator may also contribute to campaigns

to defend federal funding for miner health and safety programs; advocate for strong workplace

health and safety regulations, including regarding silica dust; and promote legislation to

streamline the black lung claims process for miners and their families.

An understanding of community organizing in rural settings, ability to navigate relevant

government processes, policy and other legal language, and the ability to bridge the grassroots

and technical components of our work will be key to success. This position will work closely

with our Coal Impacts, Virginia and Government Affairs teams, as well as community partners,

most notably including the Black Lung Association. This position will be supervised and

supported by the Coal Impacts Program Manager.

Location

The Black Lung Coordinator position may be based out of our Norton, Virginia, office or may

operate remotely within the Central Appalachian region. The individual must reside in Southern

West Virginia, Southwestern Virginia, Eastern Kentucky or Northeast Tennessee. Frequent travel

within Southwestern Virginia and occasional travel elsewhere within Central Appalachia, as well

as to Richmond, Virginia, and Washington DC is likely, for community outreach and
engagement, meetings with government officials, and other events. Required travel will be

reimbursed according to Appalachian Voices’ Travel Policy.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities

● Support the Black Lung Association and its Southwest Virginia-based chapters with

core organizational needs (ie, logistics, outreach, communications, fundraising, etc.)

This may include phone-banking, flyering, advertising and social media-based

communications.

● Regularly attend Black Lung Association meetings in Southwestern Virginia in order

to discuss ongoing campaigns, build relationships, seek guidance on Appalachian

Voices’ priorities and projects pertaining to black lung, and to ensure that Black Lung

Association meetings are successful, as determined by the group’s members and

officers.

● Hold frequent one-on-one or small group discussions with individuals impacted by

black lung in order to empower grassroots leadership, discuss and mobilize

participation in ongoing campaigns, and seek guidance on Appalachian Voices’

priorities and projects pertaining to the disease.

● Coordinating with the Coal Impacts Program Manager and the Director of State

Energy Policy, facilitate digital and in-person meetings between individuals impacted

by black lung and members of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Governor’s

administration and their staffs. Coordinate with and support Appalachian Voices’

Government Affairs team to facilitate digital and in-person meetings between

individuals impacted by black lung and members of Congress and their staff

members.

● Attend, plan, organize and execute public events including community and coalition

meetings, fundraisers, presentations and trainings (in-person and over zoom).

● Collaborate with Appalachian Voices' communications team and individuals impacted

by black lung to tell their stories through articles, blogs or video created by our team,

and through engagement with external media.

● Work closely with Appalachian Voices’ communications team to develop digital

materials for emails, newsletters, action alerts, blogs, social media posts and events,

and other online communication tools to mobilize our members and supporters

Skills & Qualifications

● Experience with community engagement and grassroots organizing, including

leadership development, volunteer coordination, member/supporter mobilization and

strategic campaign or project implementation.

● Understanding of, or willingness to learn, state and federal policies and programs

relevant to coal mining especially with regards to black lung disease.

● Prior experience with mining issues through personal lived experience or professional

experience preferred; prior experience with a non-profit organization or government

agency strongly preferred.

● Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate complex

technical and policy issues to communities and the media.

● Passion for and familiarity with the Central Appalachian region.

● Excellent time management, work ethic and organization.

● Strong collaborative spirit, sound judgment and leadership potential.

● Experience with policy advocacy, including lobbying preferred.

● Experience or coursework in public health, occupational health, or labor issues preferred.

● A valid drivers license and willingness to travel 5-8 days a month, including occasional

overnight trips.

Compensation

This is a part-time, term-limited position that is included in a union-represented collective

bargaining unit; specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to a Collective

Bargaining Agreement.

Compensation is commensurate with experience within the range of $25-$30 an hour. This

position averages 30 hours per week, not to exceed 860 hours total, with actual hours varying

based on workload and project demands. The term of this position is September, 2026 through

March, 2027, with the exact start and end dates TBD. Appalachian Voices is committed to equity

in pay practices.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until this position is filled. For early

consideration, candidates shall apply by August 13, 2026

Using this application link, please submit a resume, three professional references and a brief

cover letter that addresses why you would be a good fit for the position. In the cover letter,

please address the following questions:

1) Why are you interested in working in Appalachia?

2) Why are you interested in this specific position?

3) What makes you a good fit for the role?

Appalachian Voices participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the

identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.