Location: East Rural Michigan Preferred-  All work will be conducted remotely until a return to office protocol is established.

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Compensation $36,000 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:

A national struggle is underway for the hearts and minds of line in rural areas, and Michigan is on the frontlines. MI Hometown Voices are working people and families in rural and small-town Michigan who are tired of seeing our family members and communities struggle to have a good quality of life. We do not accept politics as usual, where the wealthy few hoard our resources and control our democracy. 

Together, we are making our voices heard and working towards a Michigan that is fair for all of us.

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We are seeking a full-time organizer to build the capacity of residents in trial Michigan to engage in impactful local organizing. This work will be conducted in several counties across rural areas and small-towns in Michigan to build community power, understand issues impacting small-town and rural communities, and organize with people most impacted by intersecting hardships. Our MI Hometown

Voices team is looking to develop a strong, active base of individual leaders that expands our listening campaign. We envision rebuilding our democracy by inviting people in small towns and rural areas to come together and address issues that are impacting our communities and bridge the gap between rural, urban, and suburban areas. 

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Michigan United is working on expanding our membership and base in rural and small-town areas that are predominantly working-class and underserved because these communities:

• have real social and economic problems that cause hardship, pain, and suffering (e.g., unaffordable and inaccessible health care, mental health and addiction crisis, difficulties with reentry after incarceration, impacts of trade wars and climate change, underfunded schools, lack of well-paying jobs, deportation of immigrant communities, racism, xenophobia, and sexism).

• have been left out of progressive organizing for decades, only exacerbating these problems and seeding resentment towards the left and people in urban areas, and 

• are currently being recruited by far-right groups that pose a real threat to our democracy and safety as a country. 

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Experience working in community-based settings and/or demonstrated relationship-building skills; 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; 

• Ability to motivate diverse groups of people and work well as a team member; 

• Self-direction and self-motivation, and ability to work collaboratively and independently; 

• Ability to build and maintain constructive, positive relationships; 

• Strong commitment to social, racial, and economic justice; 

• Self-motivation and creativity in problem-solving; 

• Literate in common computer applications; 

• Ability to handle multiple job tasks and meet deadlines; 

• Commitment to leadership development of leaders and members; 

• Ability to travel and to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings; 

• Access to reliable transportation daily

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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 rural community organizing or related experience.

• A personal connection to rural and small-town areas preferred

 

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.