Canvassing Fellowship Manager - Kalamazoo

Job Description

Job Description

CANVASSING FELLOWSHIP MANAGERTITLE: CANVASSING FELLOWSHIP MANAGER

LOCATION: Kalamazoo, MI

ANNUAL COMPENSATION: $60,000 

RETENTION BONUS: $1,500 (must remain on staff through Nov 20th, 2026) 

POSITION DURATION: This position is considered temporary and will conclude on November 20, 2026. 

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Are you someone who has an interest in how politics shapes our lives? Have you ever seen or experienced systemic oppression and felt a calling to dismantle it? Are you someone that doesn’t feel wholly represented by business as usual politics? Are you looking for a high energy political home focused on justice for the 2026 election cycle and beyond? 

MI United / MI United Action is going to conduct outreach to hundreds of thousands of voters in 2026 with strategic resolve and an ambitious voter contact strategy. In 2022 and 2024 we were the source of the largest voter contact program not affiliated with organized labor or a political party. In 2025, MUA scaled our electoral outreach program to effect change in the Detroit municipal elections by electing 2 movement candidates to the Detroit City Council. In 2026 we are going to build power in every corner of Michigan and we need you to help us to once again execute an incredibly large and complex independent voter canvassing campaign. 

We are looking for a high energy individual who is willing to assist in the management of a truly statewide electoral outreach program to promote civic engagement, voter registration, and electoral participation in low income and immigrant communities in Southeast MI, West Michigan, Flint, Saginaw and Lansing. Additionally, they will be responsible in helping to build a pipeline of progressive public leaders (particularly women and people of color) to advance issue campaigns through public pressure and grow the organization’s membership base through direct voter contact. 

Our electoral program differs from most because our Fellows, Leads and Managers will participate in an ongoing training program to learn how to motivate others toward action, to learn the history of and challenges facing the social justice movement, and to develop a systems-based analysis of the power structures at the local, state, and federal level. 

MI United’s Theory of Change:

Michigan United is building a vibrant, inclusive movement in Michigan where community members are organizing to build power to affect change at local, state, and national levels. We are working to dismantle systemic barriers perpetuating inequality by building power. Michigan United defines power as the ability to act, and it comes in the form of organized people and organized money. We focus on issues from a racial, economic, and gender justice lens. We are a hub of people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power building. We are movement builders.

Michigan United’s theory of change is rooted in our core values. We start from the position that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with dignity. We’re committed to bridging gaps and fostering unity across different communities, recognizing that our destinies are linked in the fight for equity and justice.

Michigan United is dedicated to dismantling white supremacy, economic injustice, and patriarchy, transforming lives through tangible victories and leadership development. We believe in the power of a united community driven by a shared vision and strategic action, capable of making significant impacts at local, state, and national levels. Our focus on organizing communities, training leaders, and tackling systemic barriers is crucial in shaping Michigan's future.

Our commitment to a movement that reflects our multiracial base is at the core of our work, guiding us as we organize and mobilize communities, build collective power, and seek just outcomes. We are steadfast in these principles, aiming to create a Michigan where government and economy are inclusive, accountable, and equitable.

Michigan United's approach is grounded in practicality, driven by our values, and focused on building a state where dignity, equity, and justice are realities, not just aspirations. Through strong relationship-building, continuous leadership development, and strategic collective action, we pave the way for the radical, systemic changes our communities need and deserve.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

As a Canvassing Fellowship Manager, your responsibilities will consist of managing a team of Canvassing Fellows to execute our electoral canvassing program. You will report directly to the Electoral Field/Data Program Manager. 

Your typical week responsibilities could look similar to this:

• Interviewing and retaining Canvassing Fellows in the 2026 election cycle
• Planning and participating in new employee orientations for Canvassing Fellows
• Launching daily canvasses in your assigned region with a diverse staff of 10 or more Fellows and a Lead
• Ensure canvass integrity by shadowing canvassers
• Ensure a healthy team culture by planning and executing a daily stand up meeting and being prepared, organized, and efficient
• Work with the data team to have voter contact goals and strategies planned in advance
• Creating and executing the agenda for regular meetings with the Canvass Management Team
• Creating and executing the agenda for regular meetings with the Canvass Planning Team
• Manage inventory of any electoral equipment and electronic devices

Programmatic responsibilities would include:

• Creating a high energy electoral canvass rooted in MI United / MI United Action’s theory of change
• Working with the data team to ensure canvass data integrity
• Develop and continue to improve training materials for Canvassing Fellows and Managers including use of the VAN and reporting tools
• Collect stories, videos, photos, and other multimedia to use for promotion 
• Attending monthly staff development trainings 
• Assist in voter targeting strategy and voter outreach tactics
• At the end of the election you will be transitioning new and newly activated leaders to a permanent organizer

REQUIREMENTS

• A commitment to MI United Action’s theory of change and a strong commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice and their intersections, both inside and outside the organization
• A desire to learn and grow as a leader and a passion for developing the leadership skills of others
• Previous experience managing a culturally, religiously, and economically diverse staff
• Previous experience organizing campaigns or electoral canvassing
• Previous experience with VAN and Google Suite
• Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Effective communication skills and comfortability working with the public, talking to strangers, and asking people to take action
• Reliable transportation/ability to drive to and from canvassing locations
• A data-capable smartphone and familiarity with MiniVAN
• A high energy, highly organized, self starter capable of executing plans and implementing creative solutions to problems
• Not required, but would be advantages to success in this role: Ability to work with with a team to achieve a common goal, multi-lingual (particularly Spanish and Arabic), and committed to meeting deadlines

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees must be in person to execute a door to door canvassing program. There will be in-person events, meetings, and activities. Our work schedule is standard business hours with flexibility. Evenings and weekends are occasionally required.