Location: Metro Detroit preferred (currently working remotely)

Full-time, Temporary

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Compensation: $40,000 annualized equivalent, health insurance, health savings account, generous paid time off, two-month paid sabbatical after 4 years of service, phone and internet stipends. See below for a fuller description of benefits. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Michigan is at a moment where many elements of our democracy are part of day-to-day conversation. Michigan United and Michigan People’s Campaign are engaging community members and leaders in this conversation. There are three key issues that are part of the discussion:

 

• Redistricting

• Voting access and suppression

• Ranked-choice voting

 

The Democracy Organizer will work on these issue areas with leaders that currently exist while organizing new leaders to be a part of this discussion and to take action. The focus is to find and engage those who might not always be involved in these conversations, but whose voices are desperately needed to ensure their communities aren’t left behind while these decisions are being made. 

 

Strong candidates for this position are interested in these issues and willing to work to build others' understanding about these issues. Preferred experience, but not required: 1) developing leaders or people in your network 2) working or volunteering on issues or political campaigns 3) engaging institutions and working with elected officials, community leaders, and influencers. Individuals who are underrepresented on the basis of racial, ethnic, economic, and sexual orientation(s), as well as those who share the life experiences of the members we serve, are encouraged to apply.

 

Due to the current spread of COVID-19, organizing activity will be digital, by phone, and remote. Normal in-person organizing activity will continue after the health risks subside. Remote work tools and assistance are available. You’ll be expected to “check-in” and “checkout” with your manager daily.  Some in-person events will be scheduled but will be optional.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Daily and systematic follow-up with volunteer prospects to build teams and move them to action.

• Lead various training on a regular basis including organizational orientation, strategy and leadership skills, tactics

• Lead public education events on the issues

• Build teams of volunteers who will take action on issue campaigns

• Assists in training leaders and volunteers in tools and tactics for engaging their communities on issues

• Organize leaders to participate in political committees in targeted areas across Michigan

• Work on turnout related to organization events

• Phone and text banking

• Conducting 1:1s with grassroots and grasstop leaders

• Research innovative ways to move engage the community and campaigns forward

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

• A high degree of emotional intelligence and desire to prioritize racial and economic justice in decision-making

• Serious about achieving both qualitative and quantitative goals. 

• Passion for developing the leadership skills of volunteers and members

• Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) principles of community organizing and advocacy strategies

• Ability to perform with a high degree of skill in a fast-paced work environment

• Excellent judgment in internal and external communication and in managing internal and external relationships

• Highly organized and meets deadlines

• Familiar with database management, data reporting systems, and computer programs (Microsoft Office or Google Docs equivalent)

 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE 

• Paid or volunteer electoral/community organizing or related experience.

• Developing leaders or people in your network 

• Working or volunteering on issue or political campaigns 

• Engaging public bodies and working with public figures

• VAN knowledge (Voter Action Network)

 

BENEFITS

• Health Insurance is available immediately upon hire

• Health Savings Account: Prorated contribution of $600 per calendar year paid in monthly increments, when on organizational insurance plan

• Stipends: Transportation stipend (currently internet stipend) of $75 a month and cell phone stipend of $50 a month

• Paid Time Off: 15 days for the first and second year of employment which begin accruing when you start. It cannot be taken for the first 90 days. 18 days; third and fourth year, 22 days; fifth year and beyond

• Holidays: 11 paid holidays

• IRA when earnings threshold has been met

• Sabbatical: Two month Sabbatical after four years of full-time service

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• All work will be conducted remotely until a return to office protocol is established

• Office & field environment

• Normal business hours, some additional hours required with occasional weekend activities. Hours will expand during election cycles

 

APPLICATION DETAILS

• Submit resume, statement of interest, and three references (at least two references must be work-related, one may be personal)

• Please submit all application materials using this link, if you’re unable to upload documents please email the materials to resumes@miunited.org

 

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions fighting for economic and racial justice. We use the tools of community organizing, leadership training, advocacy, media work, and civic engagement to run strategic campaigns that win real change in communities of color, immigrants, working families, and the low-income. We're committed to winning a better world for marginalized communities. 

 

We are the largest community organizing group in the state, with offices in Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Flint. Our membership consists of individuals and over 125 member institutions.

 

Michigan United organizes along the following issue areas: immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, universal family care (including health, child care, elder care, and paid sick time), voter rights, housing, workers rights, and civic engagement. We work to build the capacity of community members who are directly impacted by these issues to lead and win concrete reforms that will change their own lives and shift the balance of power in our state.

 

Michigan United, along with Michigan People’s Campaign, our affiliated 501(c)(4), is serious about building long-term, political power with the aim of transforming our political and economic system into one that puts people and the planet first. As a racial and economic justice organization, we actively encourage individuals who are underrepresented on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, and sexual orientation, as well as those who share the life experiences of the members we serve, to apply.