Lead Community Organizer
About The Position
Are you angry about the injustices your community faces? Do you want to learn how to build the people power necessary to fight those injustices and make real, local change? As a community organizer with LIFE, you’ll learn how to bring together our area's diverse faith community to address the root causes of serious community problems. LIFE (Lee Interfaith For Empowerment) is a constituent-led, grassroots organization that brings together faith communities to address the root causes of serious community problems across Fort Myers, FL. LIFE is part of the Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART), one of the largest faith-based community organizing networks in the country. We believe that fighting for racial and economic justice is fundamental to our identity as people of faith, and we know that successfully fighting for justice requires having power in the public arena. DART’s been organizing interfaith coalitions to build power since 1982. A few of our victories include: Over $1 billion invested in affordable housing $950 million invested in public transportation More than $22 million secured for communities to address the climate crisis and increase resiliency Criminal justice reforms resulting in 60,000 fewer arrests of children The Lead Community Organizer will direct the organization, including hiring and supervising all current and future staff at LIFE. The Lead Community Organizer reports directly to the organization's board of directors.
Requirements
- Core passion to win on local justice campaigns
- Excellent relationship-building skills
- Enthusiasm for working with diverse faith communities
- At least three years of professional experience in community organizing, advocacy, congregational or non-profit leadership
- Experience leading teams of people
- Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a car
- Ability to travel for training events throughout the year
Nice To Haves
- LIFE is a diverse coalition that includes communities of color, low-to-moderate-income communities and immigrant communities. We strongly encourage people from these backgrounds, as well as fluent Spanish speakers, to apply.
Responsibilities
- Building engagement in the community
- Train grassroots faith leaders how to engage others in the fight for justice & recruit new leaders and congregations into the organization.
- Drive forward campaigns on community problems
- Train grassroots leaders to identify community problems, conduct research, and develop action plans for issue campaigns.
- Organize public actions of over 1,000 people.
- Fundraising from local sources
- Coordinate an annual 6-8 week fundraising drive with grassroots leaders who fundraise from individuals, small businesses, and major corporations in the community.
- Ensure that dues from member congregations are collected.
- Organizational development & management
- Work with the organization’s Board of Directors to map out the strategic direction and development of the organization.
- Train, supervise, and evaluate Associate Organizers.
- Ensure that the organization’s finances are in order. This includes maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring that all foundation proposals and reports are submitted in a timely fashion.
Benefits
- LIFE makes generous retirement contributions of 12% after one year of employment - no match required.
- Four weeks regular paid vacation
- Paid holidays & sick leave
- Flexible scheduling
- Healthcare reimbursement
- Parental leave
- Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
- Relocation assistance
- Comprehensive, on-the-job training through the DART Organizers Institute and individual mentoring and coaching
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
