Job Summary
The Community Organizer coordinates the grassroots organizing strategy for the Statewide Poverty Action Network – coordinating our electoral work, our statewide listening sessions, and our civic engagement campaigns. The Community Organizer also leads our volunteer recruitment and coordination efforts, building a network of people and organizations taking action to eliminate root causes of poverty. This position is an integral part of our team, helping ensure that our legislative and electoral campaigns resonate with low-income communities and communities of color, and creating opportunities for members of those communities to build their leadership by taking action on our priorities. Poverty Action organizes with a racial equity lens and believes that those most impacted by poverty should lead our work.
Essential Responsibilities, Duties & Tasks
30% In coordination with the Policy & Field Campaign Manager, develop and implement organizational grassroots strategy. Design and implement statewide civic and voter engagement campaigns to reach out to, organize, and mobilize people from targeted communities in the state, with an emphasis on people with low incomes, people of color, and formerly incarcerated people. Manage the Voter Activation Network (VAN) database and analyze geographic data to assist with targeting and strategy development. Utilize qualitative and quantitative research on voting behavior and election results to determine effective tactics.
30% Foster 2-3 long-term organizing networks in strategic locations (ex: Pierce County, Yakima Valley, etc) across the state in order to support electoral and policy campaigns. Within these networks, develop organizing opportunities for community members, such as voting, direct action, or other legislative advocacy. Connect people with lower incomes to their elected officials, as well as to the overall work of Poverty Action, in order to weigh in on public policy decisions, change the narrative on poverty, and build leadership. Make public presentations on Poverty Action’s work and campaigns.
25% In coordination with Poverty Action staff, identify and develop internship opportunities to address the needs of the organization. Supervise Poverty Action’s interns, work study students, and volunteers. Expand our network of grassroots leaders around the state who are working locally to build support for Poverty Action’s policy priorities. Create and implement forums and other community organizing initiatives, develop curriculum for advocacy trainings, and develop strategies to mobilize low-income community members around the state.
10% Co-lead the vision, planning, and implementation of annual MLK Day lobby day with 200 – 500 participants from across the state in Olympia, ensuring that activities of the day reflect legislative and organizing priorities. Provide direction to all Poverty Action staff, board members, and volunteers in support of the planning, implementation, and execution of the event.
5% Participate in program, department and agency meetings, relevant trainings, and the agency’s anti- racism initiative as required. Co-chair, with a Poverty Action board member, a committee of Poverty Action’s coordinating board.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Percentage of time spent on responsibilities varies based on shift worked.