Community Organizer

Essie Justice Group • Oakland, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Essie Justice Group (Essie) is a powerful community of women and gender nonconforming people with incarcerated loved ones, working to dismantle the US incarceration system. Essie seeks a people-oriented, adaptable, and highly motivated Community Organizer to help implement campaigns to upend systems of control and confinement. This role involves recruiting and engaging members, helping them participate in programs, committees, and campaign activities, and supporting their growth into leadership roles. The Community Organizer assists with campaign tactics such as press events and meetings with elected officials, helps track member participation and retention trends, and contributes to outreach efforts like canvassing and phone banking. They also provide logistical support for meetings and events, help produce member- and partner-facing materials, and support staff in maintaining strong relationships with community allies.

Requirements

• 2-3 years of experience in organizing (community-based, issue-based, electoral, and/or labor); previous experience in decarceration advocacy is a strong plus.
• Commitment to supporting the leadership of women and gender expansive people with incarcerated loved ones and our families.
• Excellent time-management, organizational, and event-planning skills.
• Effective writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Track record as a collaborative team player who excels in managing multiple projects and is comfortable working in a fast-paced and non-traditional work environment.
• Adept with Mac operating systems, Google Suite, and MS Office Suite (especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Commitment to the beliefs and values of Essie with a demonstrated passion for progressive politics, specifically in gender justice, race justice, and ending mass incarceration.
• Connecting with others is your superpower. You find tremendous joy in building relationships and supporting the leadership development of others.
• A determined, methodical executor. You are extremely organized and coordinate meetings and events with skill and grace, especially in a fast-paced, focused environment.
• You relish strong work plans and time management tools to support your and the project’s success.
• You anticipate needs and take initiative to address them.
• Discernment and honesty we can trust. You are a thoughtful team member who acts in alignment with your integrity and are unfailingly trustworthy.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And, you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a positive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

Responsibilities

• Support the recruitment of women with incarcerated loved ones to join Essie’s membership and help maintain an engaged, welcoming community.
• Assist in recruiting new members and stewarding participation of existing members in Essie's programming and campaign tactics, tracking participation and turnout goals.
• Assist in stewarding participation of existing members in Essie’s programs and campaign activities, tracking participation and turnout goals.
• Help monitor member retention trends and suggest strategies to improve engagement.
• Learn members’ strengths, stories, and interests to support their leadership development through committee participation and other opportunities.
• Assist in organizing meetings and gatherings in ways that are engaging, inclusive, and aligned with Essie’s values.
• Help identify and reduce barriers to member participation through logistical support and problem-solving.
• Assist with implementing campaign activities, such as direct actions, rallies, press events, or meetings with elected officials, following the campaign strategy.
• Support members in planning and executing campaign activities and help prepare them for public speaking or advocacy opportunities.
• Participate in canvassing, phone banking, and other outreach efforts to engage the community and grow membership.
• Help produce member- and partner-facing communications and materials.
• Support staff in maintaining relationships with select partners and community allies.

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Optional 401(k)
• Substantial vacation package
• Monthly personal wellness stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed