We’re Hiring: Cooperation DC Organizer — Get Your Boots on the Ground

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Co-op Organizer for ONE DC’s Cooperation DC program who doesn’t just believe in justice but is ready to build it, block by block, ward by ward. If you are an experienced organizer, with cooperative economics popular education and co-op advocacy experience, who knows how to engage with grassroots working people of color, this is your moment.

This isn’t your average 9-to-5. This is frontline, relational, justice-centered organizing that holds space for both fierce resistance and radical love. As the coordinator of ONE DC’s Cooperation DC programing, our unique co-op enterprises education and advocacy, and our Healthy Workers Collective community of practice, you’ll join other ONE DC organizers with base-building campaigns, political education programs, and collective leadership development toward economic transformation.

What You’ll Do

Organizing, Strategy & Member Power

• Anchor and lead ONE DC’s Cooperation DC and Healthy Workers Collective Committees and programming
• Co-create with our members, popular education and campaign strategies to promote solidarity and cooperative economics and co-op business development in DC, as well as political action and advocacy with DC’s co-op movement
• Co-develop grassroots campaigns rooted in community self-determination, engage in outreach and base-building for ONE DC, and develop ONE DC members.

Political and Cooperative Education

• Develop outreach and engagement plans and programming to organize and increase interest in solidarity economics and cooperative economics within targeted communities
• Develop and facilitate political education, and solidarity and cooperative economics education and business development activities and strategies; use and/or create bilingual English/Spanish materials
• Develop and Facilitate workshops, host forums, and run our cooperative economics education and co-op advocacy activities especially for worker co-ops and housing co-ops
• Coordinate and facilitate technical assistance for co-op business development
• Mentor organizers, members, and apprentices in solidarity economics and cooperative business economics

Movement Partnerships

• Represent ONE DC at public hearings, coalition meetings, and community events around co-op advocacy and with the greater Washington DC co-op movement
• Build strong, strategic relationships with local and national allies in the Black and national co-op movements, and the Black Workers Center movement

What You Bring

As Cooperation DC Organizer, you’ll be organizing people around right to income, solidarity and cooperative values rooted in justice, strategy, and relationship. Here's how you'll help us build power:

Required:

• One year or more demonstrated direct organizing/base building experience and/or training/education that provides similar skills; and Willingness to learn about and commit to ONE DC’s organizing model.
• Familiarity with cooperatively run businesses, the international co-op principles, and community-based economic development, labor rights, and/or the solidarity economy movement. In particular, experience with co-ops/cooperative economics
• Experience with political education, popular ed, and cultural organizing
• Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; and strong computer, internet, and social media skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work as part of a shared leadership team.
• Exceptional organization and time management skills; a demonstrated ability to design a work plan, prioritize, and meet goals
• Flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Deep connection to working-class communities and a commitment to collective liberation
• Emotionally intelligent, politically grounded, and accountable

Preferred:

• DC resident (or strong DMV ties) – we prioritize local leaders!
• Ready to commit to 3+ years with ONE DC
• Bilingual speakers are welcome; Proficiency in written and conversational Spanish strongly preferred
• A good sense of humor, creative spirit, and love for our people

What We Offer

We take care of our people, period. You can’t build power on burnout. When you join ONE DC, you’re not just filling a role, you’re stepping into a community that values rest, health, growth, and joy.

• Full benefits: medical, dental, vision, and prescriptions
• Time to reset: 13 paid holidays, generous PTO, and paid maternity or paternity leave
• Growth and support: Paid sabbaticals, professional development, and leadership opportunities
• Culture of care: A team that gets it, lives it, and moves with purpose and unity

More details will be shared during the interview process but just know this, we pour into our people the way we want them to pour into the movement.

Logistics & Expectations

• In-person presence in DC required
• Evening and weekend availability for meetings, actions, and events
• Local travel within DC for organizing, outreach, and coalition work

EEO & Inclusion Statement

ONE DC is an equal opportunity employer that values the richness of our collective experiences. We strongly encourage applications from Black and Indigenous people, people of color, women, people of all gender identities and expressions, LGBTQ+ individuals, working-class and low-income individuals, and people with lived experience of systemic barriers.

We understand that traditional qualifications can sometimes overlook the strengths and wisdom that come from lived experience. If you meet many of the requirements but not all, we still encourage you to apply. We value a deep commitment to justice, the courage to grow, and a heart for building power in community.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, list of three (3) organizing references, and a cover letter (including salary expectations).