THE ORGANIZATION: TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide people’s network that brings democracy alive in communities across our state. We connect individuals and organizations to each other, creating a powerful force that makes change happen where it wasn’t possible before. Since its founding twelve years ago, TakeAction Minnesota has grown its breadth and depth. Our membership has grown 10-fold and touches every legislative district in the state. Our social media presence is robust. Our grassroots leadership is well-trained and shapes and implements the strategy of our various campaigns. As a result, TakeAction Minnesota has a track record of increasingly bold victories that change people’s lives for the better: the defeat of a photo ID constitutional amendment, massive public health care expansions, ban the box legislation, winning back $100 million from HMOs, more than $400 million in corporate tax loopholes now closed, grassroots leaders running for – and winning – elected office.
POSITION SUMMARY: This organizer will work with our organizing team to powerfully connect grassroots organizing, issue campaigns, and electoral politics in order to win real change in our state by building power with people around the issue of climate change and connecting them to the rest of TakeAction’s work. They will develop an active team of members who will be growing as leaders and taking action on electoral and issue campaigns by reaching out to Minnesotans through electoral and issue campaigns, activating them and engaging them in our work, and deeply investing in their leadership development through base-building, political education, and narrative development.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES — Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Use organizing tools (canvassing, door knocking, phone banking, one-to-one’s, powerful asks, etc.) to engage Minnesotans in our work, develop deep relationships with them, and support their leadership development.
- Plan and execute outreach strategies to engage more Minnesotans in our work.
- Identify, recruit, train, and move activists into regular action and positions of leadership throughout our campaigns, supporting their leadership to guide how they engage with campaigns and how we center racial and gender justice in our campaigns.
- Invest in and develop leaders through intentional leadership development. Support leaders in building their own bases with organizing tools (propositions, trainings, accountability, agitations, etc.), facilitate political education to deepen a shared analysis of the structural barriers facing our communities, engage them in leading campaigns, and continuing to build a greater vision for our organizing.
- Plan and lead effective organizing meetings and trainings to build community, develop leadership, and move work forward.
- Develop and meet goals for each of these responsibilities, manage and meet a variety of goals throughout the seasons of the work, and update organizational database systems with member and event information as a way to ensure and track successful completion of goals.
- Work with other staff to plan and execute cross-organizational events, grassroots fundraising and new member cultivation, communications plans, digital outreach plans, trainings, and other issue campaign actions.
- Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- At least one year of experience organizing others, whether through community organizing, electoral politics, issue advocacy, or by being active in your community, and a proven track record of delivery and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- A natural sense of curiosity about people and the ability to relate to them. Experience initiating conversations with community members about their stories, hopes, fears, and challenges, and a willingness to be bold in conversations with strangers and volunteers.
- Experience facilitating meetings, trainings, and/or group gatherings that move people to action.
- Ability to pay attention to the details, be vigilant about tracking goal progress, and meet deadlines. Computer literacy and experience with MS Office Suite.
- Willingness to speak up, suggest new ideas, receive feedback, adjust plans to ensure successful completion of goals, and be part of the solution.
- Excellent communications skills through a variety of channels, including written and oral.
- A relational leader and good team player, able to work with a broad team of staff and grassroots leaders, work well with others in a coalition setting, and motivate diverse groups of people. Ability to practice showing up for co-workers with consistent follow-through and good communication.
- A demonstrated commitment to economic, racial, and gender justice and commitment to progressive political change.
- Enthusiastically promote TakeAction Minnesota’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures and have a deep investment in our shared agenda for change.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:
A valid Minnesota State Driver’s License is required and access to a reliable vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting articles such as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.
SALARY/BENEFITS/OTHER INFORMATION:
Salary: $39,500 with full medical and dental benefits and retirement package; ongoing leadership development of staff, including access to relevant trainings and conferences.
This position is a member of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild unit and salary and benefits are based on its contract.
This position reports directly to the Organizing Director. Position is located in St. Paul, but may be required to travel throughout the state at times.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send electronic cover letter, resume and three references attention Amanda Otero, Organizing Director, care of workwithus@takeactionminnesota.org with the subject line ORGANIZER. We will begin reviewing resumes on December 3, 2018.
NO PHONE CALLS or EMAILS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
TakeAction Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, and women.
