Open positions: Community Organizer

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is looking to hire three Community Organizers to join our dedicated, fired-up staff team. Their primary focus will be to develop and implement grassroots organizing campaigns that build people-power, shift narrative, and directly confront corporate power to win concrete change that makes our communities more just and democratic – and makes life better for a lot more people.

The organizers we hire will work on one of these teams:

• Racial Justice team.  Historical and systemic injustices confront people of color (native born and immigrants) from racial profiling by police to discrimination in housing and employment and more. CCI members are leading local campaigns to expose systemic racism and craft solutions to create more welcoming and inclusive communities.
• Healthcare for All team. Insured, un-insured or under-insured, CCI has learned that everyone has a healthcare story and immediately understands the need to get profits out of our healthcare system. This emerging campaign has the potential to flip what’s politically possible in this state and the 2020 elections.   
• Farming & the Environment team.  At a time of massive factory farm expansion and a state clean water crisis, rural and urban Iowans are building momentum and power to say YES to clean water and NO MORE to factory farms. CCI members are at the forefront of this hot button, corporate-power issue in Iowa.

We’re looking for someone who’s eager to help execute an ambitious plan to exponentially expand our people-power – and win justice. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to build relationships with lots and lots of grassroots people and develop them to be leaders in their community. If that sounds like you, apply for this job!

The ideal candidate is a good listener, an avid learner, driven, eternally optimistic, and flexible. They should be comfortable juggling multiple tasks, and thrive in a fast-paced team environment.

Most of all, they should have a strong desire to help shape the way people view the world, get people to act and help CCI grow. A sense of humor is a must!

About Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

Iowa CCI is a forward-thinking, agenda-setting, speak-truth-to-power community organizing group that knows how to mobilize lots of everyday people to stand up for what’s right and put pressure where it needs to be put to win policies that put people and planet first. For nearly 45 years, our mission has been simple: organize everyday people to be a powerful force for justice.

Our current organizing campaigns include:  Clean Water Fight/Stop Factory Farms, Immigrant Rights/Justice, Racial Justice/Stop Racial Profiling, Healthcare for All, Clean Energy Future, and electoral work (movement politics) to change “business as usual” politics.

Our 5,200 dues-paying members across the state believe you don’t have to stand by and just let things happen, which is probably why we’re growing so much. We believe in getting things done to put people before profits and communities before corporations. We view this troublesome time as a clear call to action and an opportunity to build political power to shape the Iowa we want and need to see.

About the Community Organizer Position:

The Community Organizers we hire will work with their direct supervisor and organizing team to develop and implement effective organizing strategies and tactics to build base, shift worldview, and win. The organizers will work out of our statewide headquarters in Des Moines.

Primary Responsibilities:

Campaign Development and Execution:

• Work collaboratively with program team to design and implement strategic plans for organizing campaigns.   
• Conduct research on issues important to the organization and our campaigns, research issues raised by members, and develop leaders to do research themselves.
• Develop plans for, and execute meetings with, CCI members to create action strategies and plans for winning on issues and achieving goals.

Base-building and Leadership Development:

• Create and lead popular education and skill building trainings to develop the leadership of CCI members.  
• Meet with community members on issues impacting them, determine their needs, and implement strategies to sign them up as dues-paying members of CCI and emerging leaders in the organization.
• Lead members in carrying out agreed upon strategies to win concrete victories.

Communicating Our Work:

• Craft messages and develop media strategies to raise awareness about issues and build support for our organizing, worldview and theory of change.
• Speak to the media on our issues, and identify and train leaders to be media spokespeople on matters important to the organization.
• Take complex issues/concepts and communicate them in an easy to understand manner with our members and the general public.

Fundraising:

• Create narratives for grant requests and grant reports as needed, as well as cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective funders.
• Research grant opportunities and other funding opportunities for the organization.
• Collaborate with our development team to create strategies to move members from basic-level membership to monthly giving and/or major donors.
• Participate in periodic phone banks and other activities aimed at raising more money for the organization.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work well with everyday people from all walks of life
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent strategic thinking and decision making skills, and attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects while working in a team setting

• Not afraid to use confrontation as a tactic for winning justice
• Must have a car or have access to a car on a daily basis
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is highly preferred for the racial justice organizer

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary beginning at $32,200 (for someone with no organizing experience)
• Full health, dental & vision coverage
• Generous paid vacation
• Flexible and stimulating work environment

How to apply:

Email resume, cover letter and three references by March 9, 2019 to:

• Hugh Espey, Executive Director
  [email protected]

Please put “Community Organizer” in the subject line.

Iowa CCI is an equal opportunity employer.  Women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, go to www.iowacci.org or www.cciaction.org