People’s Action Institute (PAI) seeks an experienced and passionate organizer to build and execute local/state campaigns to end mass incarceration. The Lead Organizer will focus primarily on community organizing strategies for prosecutor accountability. Local district attorneys/state’s attorneys are directly responsible for the policy and politics of mass incarceration. Big jails and prisons are perpetuating crime instead of solving it, making communities less safe and maintaining an anti-black racial caste system in the U.S. There are 2.2 million people in cages in the U.S. and 100 million with “criminal records” who are disproportionately people of color.

PAI is working to build a bold working class, people’s agenda from urban neighborhoods & suburbs to Native American reservations, college campuses, small businesses and rural areas. People of color, women and LGBTQ people are strongly encouraged to apply. A good candidate for this job will be deeply invested in building lasting community power and the success of PAI local/state affiliate organizations. There is a strong preference for being geographically based near one of the PAI offices which are in Chicago, Seattle and Washington. This job will also require regular travel.

The Lead Organizer will:

• Strengthen existing organizing and work to develop new campaigns by providing hands-on organizing training, planning and campaign execution support directly to local PAI affiliate organizations
• Identify new prosecutor accountability opportunities, especially in unreached regions of the country
• Work as part of a campaign team to develop a national committee of organizers and directly-impacted members of PAI organizations
• Work collaboratively with other PAI programs to develop intersectional strategies and advance broader goals for PAI
• Work with the Movement Politics Committee to develop and advance electoral strategies around local prosecutors races and other key elections
• Work as the overall lead staff for several PAI affiliate organizations, supporting their work as needed and staffing their relationship to the PAI network.
• Build and strengthen relationships with PAI allies nationally and locally as needed
• Serve as a representative of PAI in national spaces as needed

A strong candidate for this job is…

• A strong leader who can build deep relationships with other organizers, especially directly-impacted members of PAI organizations. This means engaging them as a team and co-owners in building the strategy for this program.
• Eager to learn and grown and possesses humility
• Willing to hit the ground running and learn from trial and error
• Familiar with the criminal justice reform field from personal and/or professional experience
• Has a deep commitment to racial, gender and economic justice
• Is committed to building organized people power, not charity or advocacy on behalf of others
• Has at least five years of experience in community organizing and social change work
• Has experience in electoral organizing and/or civic engagement
• Has strong organizational and communication skills
• Is able to work with a diverse set of constituencies, people and organizations
• Able to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks & responsibilities
• Willing to put in the hours to get the job done, including some nights and weekends
• Ability to travel frequently for PAI events and to provide support to affiliate organizations as campaign work dictates

Salary and Benefits

Salary is based on experience. Please include your desired range in your cover letter. The PAI benefits package includes a very good family medical, dental & vision insurance plan, a 401k plan with employer contribution and paid time off in December in addition to paid vacation.

Application Process

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing samples and references to [email protected]. References must include at least one direct supervisor. This position is open until filled. PAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer; women, people of color and LGBT people are strongly encouraged to apply.