Civic Engagement Organizer

Make the Road Michigan (MRMI), builds power for justice in Latinx and immigrant communities and working-class communities of color. We believe in a transformational theory of change that seeks to empower community members to be the principal agents and leaders in challenging and dismantling systemic oppression through community organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and dismantling systemic oppression through civic engagement and advocacy. Make the Road MRMI is a project of Make the Road States.

Make the Road States: Make the Road States (MRstates), a 501(c)(3) organization is the national home for the second-generation Make the Road family of organizations that serves to uplift the voices of working-class, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color.

Make the Road Action (MRA), a 501(c)(4) organization is committed to building power for justice in immigrant and low-income working-class communities of color. MRA operates in five states - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. We work to create social change, connect voters to the candidates and issues that are most important to them, and work hands-on in a fast-paced environment to create long-term impact in the communities that need it most

The Role:

Make the Road States is looking for a Civic Engagement Organizer who will build and grow MRS’ civic engagement and organizing program in Michigan. They will help establish a long-term, member-centered outreach and democracy program rooted in immigrant and working-class families. This position will develop and implement year-round civic engagement strategies, including issue-based basebuilding, voter education, election protection, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) programs. They will utilize this outreach to develop a strong voter to member program that’s purpose is to bring in contacts from the doors into the organization to become members. The organizer will support the growth of the base and nurture the leadership of our members to advance local, statewide and federal campaigns. The organizer will conduct outreach in the community to identify potential organizing committees based on key issues in Wyoming that community members care about and recruit them to become members of MRMI. The Civic Engagement Organizer will travel around the state to engage immigrant and working families of color and work closely with MRS leadership, additional MRS state staff, and community partners to build systems, relationships and infrastructure needed to build membership, expand civic outreach and long-term power building. This person will also serve as the political lead for MRS’s affiliate organization, Make the Road Action.

Key Responsiblities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Build and Grow Civic Engagement Infrastructure

• Develop and implement a comprehensive year-round civic engagement strategy.
• Build the systems, processes, and infrastructure necessary to support sustainable civic engagement programming.
• Establish goals, timelines, and metrics to evaluate program growth and impact.
• Work with MRS staff to adapt organizational best practices and tools for the state's unique political landscape.

Field Organizing and Voter Engagement

• Lead the planning and execution of voter education, vote-by-mail, early voting, and Get Out the Vote campaigns.
• Recruit, train, and support seasonal canvass staff and members.
• Develop culturally competent outreach strategies that engage immigrant and working families of color, as well as youth voters.

Membership Growth and Development

• Identify community leaders to become members of MRS and develop them to engage in leadership to grow their civic participation.
• Facilitate trainings on civic participation, democracy, voting rights, and leadership development.
• Build member ownership of civic engagement campaigns through leadership opportunities and ongoing political education.
• Move our base to action to advance key issue campaigns that positively impact people’s lives and support local communities.

Coalition and Partnership Building

• Build and maintain relationships with local community organizations, coalitions, advocacy groups, labor partners, and election stakeholders.
• Represent the organization in statewide civic engagement coalitions and democracy tables.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative campaigns that expand civic participation and strengthen community power.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US,
• Fully bilingual in English and Spanish
• Eligible to work in the U.S
• Licensed to drive
• Has worked at least 3 years in political or issue-based organizing focusing on the needs of low-income communities.
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice, strong analysis of systemic oppression based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, and an understanding of challenges facing immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-and moderate-income families
• Has experience working in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic work environment
• Has comprehensive knowledge of VAN/Votebuilder and Google sheets

Preferred:

• Field and/or data management experience

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Be highly professional and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Works well with others, internally and externally with partners to build a stronger movement.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Have a working knowledge of spreadsheets, Microsoft Office suite, and using a database to run reports.
• Flexible work schedule (some evenings or weekends are required).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole.

Salary and Benefits:

MRStates offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $64,661.00 to $73,913.00

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume at the Make the Road States Career Center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.