.:Resource Guides:Organizing-How Do Organizers Do Their Work
Organizing
What Are The Jobs Like?
If a career in organizing seems appealing to you at this point, you will want to probe further into the various positions that are available in order to determine the best "fit."
Similar Yet Different
Organizers' jobs are similar in many ways, but can vary by:
model - a variety of models or combinations of models may be used by an organization
scope - some organizers work on the local level while the work of others is statewide, regional, or international
focus - many organizations have a "people focus," e.g., IAF or ACORN, while others focus on one or more issues, e.g., PIRGs on environmental and consumer issues, or AFL-CIO on labor issues
location - most are in urban environments but many are not-an organizer might be involved with migrant worker populations in rural areas, for example
travel - some require frequent travel, some none, and some have an international component
affiliation - e.g., faith-based organizations often hire organizers, although many organizations are not associated with religious groups
experience - some jobs require several years of experience while many others are entry-level
cause(s) or issue(s) that the organization is addressing
Causes and Issues
The range is broad, as shown by the following recent examples of groups that employ organizers and some of the issues they're addressing:
A state PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) campaigning to reduce mercury buildup in Wisconsin waterways.
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) taking action for better housing for first-time homebuyers and tenants
Highlander Research and Education Center addressing immigrant issues in the South.
AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations) striving to raise the minimum wage.
WLDI (Women, Law and Development International) working to promote women's rights internationally.
CTWO (Center for Third World Organizing) striving for racial justice in the United States
DART (Direct Action & Research Training Center) building power among congregations in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods on issues such as police misconduct, fair immigration practices, etc.
A Variety of Jobs
Viewing job postings is a good way to get a feel for opportunities in this field. Here are some recent examples of entry-level positions:
#1 Organizer.
Location: Chicago.
Duties: Work one to one with community members to identify issues and develop campaigns; work with identified leaders to build their leadership abilities; conduct outreach to residents, organizations, and public institutions to create change in public policies;
prepare press releases and written reports.
Requirements: Strong commitment to community empowerment and social justice; excellent verbal and written skills; basic computer skills; experience working with diverse communities; desire to learn the profession of community organizing.
Salary: $24-33K
#1 Organizer.
Location: Des Moines.
Duties: Work with residents of racially diverse, low income neighborhoods to hold institutions accountable and win on issues that are important to our members; issues include slum landlord campaigns, fighting drug activity and crime, improving city services; help
with leadership training; write grants.
Requirements: College education preferred but not required.
Salary: $22K
#1 Organizer.
Location: Nationwide, based on campaign.
Duties: Work to improve the lives of working families; Organizers In Training go through a five day intense training session and will be placed in various campaigns across the country; during the course of their first year OITs will have the ability to work on
existing campaigns, or start campaigns and see them through.
Requirements: dedication to the movement; willingness to travel, relocate, and work long hours.
Salary: $29.7K
Following are several organizer roles that require experience. Note that postings for mid- to management-level jobs often don't include a salary range, as that will be negotiable based on experience.
Duties: Update materials, work with volunteers, make presentations, work with a diverse range of peoples, from students (on campus) to people of faith in religious communities.
Requirements: Organizing experience, computer skills, ability to work with different people, and sense of humor.
#1 Organizer Coordinator.
Location: Muskegon Heights, Michigan.
Duties: Help the organization to build on its success in fighting and winning on a broad set of issues such as racial profiling, joblessness, crime and drugs, fair immigration practices, and dozens of others.
Requirements: Organizing experience relating to community, union, electoral, or advocacy organizing; proven ability to build relationships of trust, to work in a team setting, and to enjoy working with people.
Quotes from People in The Field
"Being an organizer is an amazing job-during my first year, I worked with students to help protect 58.8 million acres of national forests, raise thousands of dollars to help fight hunger and homelessness, and clean up air
pollution in California."
- Kathleen Barr, Policy Advocate, U.S. PIRG, (Public Interest Research Group)
"I've been an organizer for more than 30 years. I got into it to change the world, and I have. It needs more changing, though. Young people should consider community organizing as a fulfilling career, as a high calling, as a
fun way to make a living, and as a productive way to channel anger."
- Dave Beckwith, Community Organizer, Center for Community Change
"I worked as a profit analyst intern for a summer. The pay was good, but after a day's work I always felt empty. This is when I realized that I wanted to work for an institution that could count something other than monetary
gain."
- Tiffani White, Organizer, Polk Ecumenical Association for Action and Empowerment
Tip: As you consider this career field, check out a variety of organizing positions to see where you might best fit.
