Community Organizer (Temporary)

ROLE: COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

LOCATION: AUSTIN, TX

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FILLED

*This is a temporary position from April 2026 – April 2027*

The Community Organizer plays a specialized role in strengthening and sustaining Workers Defense’s membership base in Austin. This position is less about running short-term campaigns and more about deep, relational organizing: building trust with workers, developing member leaders, and creating the infrastructure needed for long-term worker power.

This is a Special Projects position. While all three organizers will share core base-building and leadership development responsibilities, each will also take on a distinct special project area aligned with organizational needs (e.g., communications integration, leadership pipeline development, worksite strategy, data and systems strengthening, or campaign support). Each special project will contribute to the same overall goal: building and sustaining a strong, worker-led base in Austin.

The organizer is often the first point of contact for workers engaging with Workers Defense and works to build relationships, develop leaders, and strengthen Austin’s worker base in alignment with the organization’s membership-led model and worker justice priorities.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to jobs@workersdefense.org. Please include the position title on the subject line of your email. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU:

• You are passionate about worker justice and improving conditions for low-wage and immigrant workers in Texas.
• You are excited about long-term base building, leadership development, and capacity building with workers.
• You have strong communication skills and can build trust and relationships with a diverse range of workers and community members.
• You have experience in community organizing, base building, or grassroots outreach.
• You are committed to Workers Defense’s identity as a membership-led organization.
• You are skilled at motivating, supporting, and developing others to take leadership and collective action

THE ROLE IN ACTION:

• Grow and Sustain the Membership Base
  • Conduct outreach at worksites, neighborhoods, community spaces, and events in Austin to recruit new worker-members.
  • Conduct door-to-door canvassing, worksite outreach, and one-on-one conversations focused on worker issues.
  • Meet monthly and quarterly base-building and member retention goals.
  • Track and maintain accurate records of member engagement and participation.
• Special Project Responsibilities (Role-Specific)
  • Take ownership of a defined special project area that strengthens Austin’s organizing infrastructure (examples may include communications strategy integration, digital engagement, leadership pipeline systems, worksite mapping, data tracking improvements, or targeted worker issue campaigns).
  • Develop clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes for the assigned special project.
  • Coordinate with relevant staff (e.g., communications, policy, development, or organizing teams) to ensure alignment and execution.
• Community education and engagement
  • Conduct or support worker-focused education, including Know Your Rights presentations and issue-based workshops.
  • Build member understanding of workplace rights, safety, wage theft, and other worker justice priorities.
  • Adapt education and engagement strategies to meet the needs of Austin’s worker communities.
• Support with or lead member committees or workgroups
  • Support or co-lead worker-led committees, workgroups, or base spaces in Austin.
  • Support members in planning and participating in collective actions, meetings, and public events aligned with worker justice campaigns.
  • Ensure activities are member-centered and leadership-driven.
• Administrative & organizational support
  • Complete required administrative work including plans, reports, evaluations, and timesheets.
  • Track outreach, leadership development, and base-building metrics.
  • Support cross-programmatic campaigns, actions, events, and meetings as needed.
  • Support grassroots fundraising efforts when applicable.
  • Carry out other activities necessary to support Workers Defense’s mission and work.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Ability to work irregular hours (evenings and weekends)
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Basic computer literacy (PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Slack & Internet use)
• Ability to work independently and juggle multiple responsibilities
• Ability and flexibility for some out of state travel and instate travel
• Ability to do in person work including: going door to door canvassing, going to worksites, leading events or meetings at the office or other locations, conducting presentations or trainings at the office or other locations
• Ability to drive and operate a vehicle. Will need to transport themselves to meetings, field activities etc.
• Ability to hold one to one conversations with strangers
• Ability to speak publicly in small or big settings

*If you don’t meet all the criteria above but still feel your experience could be a good fit for the role, please apply. Workers Defense recognizes that candidates who don’t check every box can still add value to our team.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Workers Defense has a salary scale that is based on experience. The starting salary for the position is $60,000.00.
• Every other Friday off.
• Employer-paid medical, vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Paid leave consists of 9 days vacation, 10 days sick, and 5 days personal.
• Paid holidays in addition to office closures the week of fourth of July, the week of Thanksgiving and December 23rd through 31st.
• A $1,000 annual language stipend for English-Spanish bilingual staff.
• Retirement plan with company match of 3% (as per our Personnel Policies Manual and after probationary period - 90 days from hire).
• Parental leave of 12 weeks paid (after probationary period - 90 days from hire).

ABOUT WORKERS DEFENSE ACTION FUND

Workers Defense Action Fund is a member-led organization that mobilizes Latine voters in Texas to build governing power and fight for worker and immigrant justice.

ABOUT WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT

Workers Defense Project is a member-led organization that organizes Latine immigrant workers in Texas to fight for dignity and respect.

Workers Defense is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds, including candidates of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.

• Every other Friday off.
• Employer-paid medical, vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Paid leave consists of 9 days vacation, 10 days sick, and 5 days personal.
• Paid holidays in addition to office closures the week of fourth of July, the week of Thanksgiving and December 23rd through 31st.
• A $1,000 annual language stipend for English-Spanish bilingual staff.
• Retirement plan with company match of 3% (as per our Personnel Policies Manual and after probationary period - 90 days from hire).
• Parental leave of 12 weeks paid (after probationary period - 90 days from hire).

Fluency in English and Spanish