Job Summary
The Statewide Poverty Action Network is a coalition of individuals and organizations taking action to eliminate the root causes of poverty through state-level and associated federal public policy. Poverty Action organizes with a racial equity lens and believes that those most impacted by poverty should lead our work. The Community Organizer at Poverty Action is a motivated self-starter who also works collaboratively to develop and implement the grassroots organizing strategy for the Statewide Poverty Action Network – coordinating our electoral work, our statewide listening sessions, and our civic engagement campaigns. This position also leads our volunteer recruitment and intern 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 action and leadership.
Essential Responsibilities, Duties & Tasks
30% Organizing Strategy – Community Members
- Develop and implement Poverty Action’s grassroots organizing and community leadership goals and strategies, with a focus on organizing and mobilizing people who have lived experience of the issues we work on, such as people with low incomes, people of color, and people impacted by the carceral system. Utilize broad spectrum of online and in-person strategies to create opportunities for community members to take action.
- Facilitate contact between community members, grassroots leaders, and elected officials and state agencies in order to build an engagement pipeline that improves accessibility for people with low incomes to influence public policy decisions, change the narrative on poverty, organize locally in their communities, and build leadership. Provide ongoing training and support to community members as they engage in these processes.
- Manage the Voter Activation Network (VAN) database and analyze geographic data for targeted outreach. Use available research on voting behavior, organizing tactics, and election results to determine effective strategies.
30% Organizing Strategy – Community Partnerships
- Develop, foster, and maintain 1-3 long-term organizing networks in strategic locations across the state (ex. Pierce County, Yakima Valley, etc.) to support our civic engagement and legislative policy campaigns. Within these networks, connect community members to opportunities for civic engagement, such as voting and advocacy actions.
- Coordinate with coalitions and partner organizations across the state to implement field organizing tactics that advance our state policy priorities. Serve as field team lead for 1-3 policy coalitions, providing strategy and coordination of field activities for campaigns on a broad range of economic justice policies.
25% Team Lead for Interns & Volunteers
- In coordination with Poverty Action staff, identify and develop internship opportunities to address the needs of the organization.
- Recruit, train, lead, support, and direct tasks for Poverty Action’s interns, work study students, and volunteers. This includes one-time event volunteers as well as long-term projects.
10% Coordinate Community Events
- 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.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of community listening sessions every other year in several locations across the state. Work to engage listening session participants in the ongoing work of Poverty Action.
5% Training and Teamwork
- 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.
Full Job Description