Community Organizer

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Organizer

Position open until filled

About the Organization:

FRESC: Good Jobs Strong Communities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that builds power to ensure that our economy and political system work for all Colorado residents, especially low income people, communities of color and immigrants. We create this change by engaging unions, workers, faith communities and neighborhoods to advance innovative policy solutions.

FRESC shares offices and administrative staff with the Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF), which is the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council for the Denver metro area. The office is made up of 13 committed individuals who work both individually and in teams in our modest west Denver location—we work hard but also have a fun office environment (we eat lunch together most days). FRESC is a vibrant and financially stable organization.

Since 2002, FRESC has worked to build an economically just Denver Metro region with equal opportunity for all of our residents. FRESC has a track record of success and is well known by elected leaders and many allies in the non-profit and the labor communities. FRESC's current main programs include equitable growth, affordable housing, and ending wage theft. See www.fresc.org for more information.

More about What We're Looking For:

FRESC seeks a full time Community Organizer for the Denver metro area. This open position, along with two filled positions, is funded by a grant through the HUD Sustainable Communities Initiative. The organizer will effectively and meaningfully engage vulnerable, marginalized, and underrepresented people in the metro Denver region, including low-income individuals and families, people with limited English proficiency, and communities of color that are not traditionally engaged, to actively participate, lead, and advise the formal and informal planning processes created by the Denver region's HUD Sustainable Communities Initiative. The Organizer conducts outreach for FRESC campaigns, work with partner organizations and coalitions, communicate with individual workers and neighborhood residents, develop and support individual leadership skills, coordinate group trainings and committees, and plan and execute organizing campaigns/actions as part of broader campaigns. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work with diverse array of individuals and communities. The successful candidates must have a solid commitment to strengthening our labor unions and social, racial, and economic justice movements.

We are seeking individuals with previous experience in grassroots/political organizing in the labor movement, non-profit or public sector, or comparable experience, who are passionate, enthusiastic and energetic. The successful candidates will conduct organizing campaigns in targeted communities located near future transit corridors. Expertise in organizing is not required; willingness and ability to learn as well as strong abilities and experiences are more important.

Qualified applicants should be interested in working with FRESC's talented staff to build upon previous programmatic successes and grow the capacity of the organization. The successful candidate will have strong verbal and written communication skills, and enjoy building and maintaining relationships with staff and stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Organize, develop and staff strategic issue campaigns.
• Train and support individual leadership in the strategy and execution of issues and campaigns.
• Recruit and mobilize individuals through one-on-one visits and organizational presentations.
• Plan, organize, facilitate and debrief actions and meetings.
• Educate community about FRESC issues and campaigns.
• Develop and cultivate relationships to increase allies' organizational capacity and campaign participation.
• Coordinate and execute FRESC organizing efforts with overall campaign strategies.
• Develop materials for FRESC recruitment, community actions, etc.
• Communicate with partner organizations, including labor unions, progressive community organizations, social service organizations, environmental groups, academics and think-tanks, religious institutions and others.
• Identify new target communities to organize, consistent with FRESC's existing and future work.
• Monitor and/or participate in appropriate governmental and public meetings and processes consistent with FRESC campaigns, including lobbying, testifying, etc.
• Track and evaluate progress and effectiveness of organizing and campaign goals.
• Support FRESC's fundraising activities.
• Participate in FRESC's racial justice trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish-English (written and spoken) required.
• Interest in issues including affordable housing, quality jobs, environmental justice/sustainability, health and safety, and/or immigrant rights.
• At least one year of experience working in labor, environment, and/or social justice community, or comparable transferrable experience. Recruitment and leadership development experience.
• Experience designing, coordinating, and leading training programs desired.
• Ability both to lead and to work well in teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to large groups of people.
• Self-directed and able to handle multiple projects and responsibilities.
• Willingness and flexibility to work "campaign hours" when necessary (nights and weekends); ability to work well under stress and deadlines.
• Commitment to understand race, class, gender, and other equity issues as part of your work.
• Belief in and commitment to progressive social and economic justice.
• Degree in relevant field a plus.
• Experience working with low income communities, communities of color, and/or the labor movement helpful.
• Ability to travel locally; and have reliable transportation.
• Computer competency.
• Willingness to learn, show initiative and creativity.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time, salaried position and part of a staff union contract. Salary depends on experience and qualifications.

• Great benefits: family health, dental, vision, holidays, vacation, employer-matched retirement

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should send (1) cover letter/email including salary requirements, (2) resume, and (3) three work-related references to: Samaria Crews, Organizing Director at frescgoodjobs@gmail.com.

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Women and Individuals of Color Strongly Encouraged to Apply