Western MA Organizer

Coalition for Social Justice (Education Fund)

Compensation: $24.00

Up to 40 hours a week until Dec. 2021, with potential for extension.

Organization Background

The Coalition for Social Justice is dedicated to building a grassroots movement for progressive social change viewed through a race and gender lens, rooted in communities that have been excluded from the economic benefits of the current system. We have a dual focus: to recruit and develop leadership, especially from low-income communities, and to build effective campaigns that address the economic survival issues that our constituency faces. We build grassroots power through empowering low-income voters, building a large network of volunteers, holding elected officials accountable and building broad coalitions.

For years, our national partner, Family Values at Work (FVAW) has been eager to see a federal policy on paid leave come to fruition. FVAW has invested in 27 states across the country, including Massachusetts, to create the momentum leading up to this moment.

Chairman Neal has been supportive of the concept of a national policy on paid leave and since President Elect Biden’s victory, there is renewed energy within the national advocacy community to really help make this happen.

Essential Job Functions

Execute a strategy that builds a network of volunteers, locates supportive organizations and identifies leaders to share their stories with Chairman Neal.

Qualifications and Competencies

Candidates should possess at least 1 year of previous grassroots organizing experience

Leadership competencies to include:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills with a bias for action

• Collaborative and confident, with an ability to unite and engage volunteers for performance

• Visionary – able to communicate and work toward goal

Demonstrated track record of excellence in the following technical skills:

• Action planning and tracking

• Project management

• Community outreach

• Written and interpersonal communications

• Data collection and reporting in Excel and other data management and presentation tools

• Communications and using technology for outreach

Job responsibilities:

· Read, review and familiarize yourself with the Family Act and materials that will be provided

· Join regular weekly/monthly coalition meetings

· Organize in Western Massachusetts’ First Congressional District to lift up stories around the need for a federal paid leave policy

· Train and manage volunteers and leaders

· Organize a town hall/forum by the first week of February

· Prepare to use stories for the hearing in DC

· Convene and facilitate meetings in target areas with individuals/local groups

· Convene and facilitate meeting(s) with Chairman Neal’s office

· Run a field campaign that should integrate voter contact, grassroots organizing around the Family Act

· Maintain the database, create lists and track all voter contact in VAN

Required Attributes and Skills:

· Self-motivation, the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds.

· Organizational skills and ability to meet strict deadlines are a must

· Adaptable to changing needs and program priorities

· Ability to work long and irregular hours in a fast paced, metrics- driven work environment

· Flexibility and temperament to work in a constantly changing political environment

· Positive attitude required; humor preferred

· Ability to use technology (smartphones, computers, video conference, online platforms) to communicate

Preferred Skills:

· Spanish or Portuguese fluency

· Previous supervisor/management/lead organizer experience on a issue/political campaign

· Virtual Phone Bank/Hubdialer/ThruText experience

· Social Media Competency

· VAN or NationBuilder experience

Supervision:

Role will report to Executive Director.

Equal Opportunity Policy:

Coalition for Social Justice is committed to a policy of non-discrimination, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. Coalition for Social Justice abides by applicable federal and state constitutional and statutory processes mandating equal opportunity, including but not limited to the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, state and federal Family and Medical Leave Acts, the American with Disabilities Act and other relevant statutes.

To Apply:

Send a resume and informal cover letter about your interest to Deb Fastino, Executive Director at dfastino@aol.com.