Community Organizer

Description Primary Purpose:
The main responsibilities of the incumbent will be to: 1) facilitate grassroots activities advocating for immigration reform; 2) maintain records of all grassroots activities and relationships with local advocates; and 3) reach out to local congregations, affiliates, and other faith-based organizations to provide small-scale funding and staff time for immigration advocacy events. The Community Organizers will function as part of the Advocacy team and as such will participate in strategic planning and program meetings, collaborate with CWS/IRP affiliates and denominations on behalf of the IRP team, and maintain frequent communication with other CWS partners and constituents. All Community Organizers will serve as leaders in a bottom-up grassroots effort to provide capacity to and empower people of faith to advocate for immigration reform.
Essential Duties:
Event Planning and Network building: (Approximately 60%)
• Analyze grassroots capacity and strategy of relevant congressional districts to plan outreach and most effective types of advocacy activities
• Work with regional community organizers, congregations, affiliates, and other faith-based organizations to plan events, connect with legislators, and earn local and national media attention on immigration advocacy activities of the faith community
• Connect faith groups in key congressional districts and states that enable them to continue immigration advocacy on their own
• Provide helpful web-based resources for immigration advocacy and community education events
• Conduct regional advocacy trainings to increase capacity for immigration advocacy

Advocacy: (Approximately 20%)
• Collect information on grassroots events to share electronically and in-person with key members of the House and Senate in target states
• Work with the Coordinator for Immigration Reform to ensure strategies are informed and collaborative
• Conduct advocacy trainings for constituents preparing for in-district visits
• Respond to local immigration situations with a call for humane and equitable solutions and national immigration reform

Data and Relationship Management: (Approximately 10%)
• Track all events to evaluate effectiveness and inform future events and advocacy
• Track all relationships to follow up and enhance commitments to mobilizing for immigration reform

Other: (Approximately 10%)
• Attend outside meetings/trainings when requested by the supervisor;
• Organize meetings, conferences and events on grassroots immigration advocacy

Requirements Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field and/or equivalent work experiences.
Experience: A minimum of three years experience in faith-based, grassroots mobilizing. Extensive knowledge of immigration policy and principles of reform. Must have experience in conducting trainings and planning events. Well organized, with excellent writing and speaking skills. Ability to travel domestically and authorized to work in the United States. Must have strong communication skills and superb command of non-for-profit methods of work. Able to work flexible hours, some evening or weekend and off-site work may be required.
Other Skills:
Computer literacy in word processing, spreadsheet and database applications. Valid driver’s license and dependable vehicle in order to travel to convene or attend meetings.