Community Organizer with BUILD, a multi-faith coalition for racial justice

About the Organization:

Building a United Interfaith Lexington through Direct Action (BUILD) is a multi-faith coalition of 26 congregations fighting for racial and economic justice in Lexington, KY.

BUILD has won the expansion of primary healthcare for the uninsured, the implementation of a restorative justice program to prevent needless youth arrests, the provision of substance abuse treatment for women in local jails, the allocation of millions of dollars for affordable housing, and more.

BUILD is part of the DART network, one of the largest faith-based community organizing networks in the country.

About the Community Organizer position:

We're hiring a full-time Community Organizer who will train people of faith to hold political and economic systems accountable for acting fairly. This includes coaching clergy and lay leaders to uncover community problems, research solutions, and organize direct actions to call for change.

The start date for this position is August 9, 2021. During your first five months, you will receive intensive on-the-job training through the DART Organizers Institute. You will learn basic Community Organizing principles and develop key organizing skills including: finding and developing leaders, issue research and strategy, power analysis, and one-to-one meetings. Ongoing education and professional development will continue through individualized coaching and mentoring, as well as local, regional, and national staff trainings and retreats.

 Primary Responsibilities:

• Train grassroots faith leaders in building strong teams
• Help leaders conduct research and develop action plans for winning campaigns
• Recruit new leaders and congregations into the organization
• Organize annual fundraising drive
• Conduct an average of 10 one-to-one meetings with clergy and lay leaders per week

Qualifications:

• Core passion for justice and equality
• Excellent relationship-building skills
• Exceptional work ethic
• Willingness to be trained to work with religious institutions
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a car

BUILD is a diverse coalition including many low- and moderate-income, minority and immigrant communities. We strongly encourage people from these backgrounds, as well as DACA recipients and fluent speakers of Spanish, to apply.

BUILD is an equal opportunity employer.