Community Organizer

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The La Defensa Community Organizer is a part-time, non-exempt position that is primarily responsible for aiding in the day-to-day advocacy, mobilization support, and administrative functions of various coalitions, including the Re-Imagine L.A. Implementation Coalition. The Community Organizer is responsible for assisting the Coalition Lead in cross-coalition coordination; supporting and maintaining coalition operations, including communication; community engagement and public education; strategic plan development, implementation, and evaluation. Other key duties include scheduling meetings, coordinating meeting logistics, and other tasks essential to projects associated with La Defensa and its affiliates. The person in this position is expected to work approximately 29 hours per week, and reports directly to the Coalition Lead.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Coalition Coordination 

1. Support cross-coalition coordination by attending affiliate meetings, identifying points of advocacy alignment, creating and maintaining communications between partners and organizing joint events and advocacy efforts
2. Assist with the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation activities to keep the coalition and respective committees focused on activities that will meet projected outcomes 
3. Support coalition leadership in developing coalition meeting schedules, agendas, and facilitation. 
4. Maintain proper records of event agendas, meeting minutes, attendance rosters, leadership development plans, assessments, and other outreach plans as well as follow up on any action items.
5. Aid in the planning and execution of coalition events including but not limited to the preparation of outreach materials, such as fliers, scripts, cards and posters.
6. Anticipate training and technical assistance needs of the coalition as well as engage coalition members to participate in skills development trainings and workshops.

Leadership Development 

1. Help the Coalition Lead identify and recruit community leaders into organizations. 
2. Contribute to the organizational initiative in building a mass base institution by actively recruiting dues-paying members. 
3. Support in the creation of leadership development plans to further cultivate member’s skills, politics, and commitment. 
4. Help foster relationships with coalition members via personal visits, door-to-door knocking, house meetings, and phone banking.

Community Engagement & Field Organizing

1. Act as a representative of La Defensa and affiliate coalitions in local meetings and spaces. 
2. Assist in the recruitment of new coalition and affiliate committee members in target areas such as South Los Angeles. 
3. Support with the development and maintenance of coalition relationships with residents and other stakeholders that include but are not limited to social service providers and faith-based community organizations.
4. Support with implementation activities, including community outreach, budget advocacy, and policy development that secures funding for coalition priorities.
5. Assist in the scheduling of meetings with key targets such as the Board of Supervisors, LA City Council, ATI Initiative, ODR, and other relevant stakeholders. 
6. Support Coalition Lead with volunteer and paid community partner field programs.
7. Draft community engagement materials such as letters of support, fact sheets, and presentations.

Digital Operations

1. Drive registration for digital town halls across all La Defensa campaign and project areas
2. Establish attendance metrics for virtual/in-person events and meet or exceed these benchmarks
3. Collaborate with the Communications Team on digital outreach efforts and promotional ads for our campaign goals/events
4. Train Field Team on working/communicating with Coalition partners and the general public via signal, email, and in-person events to amplify digital and in-person event registration and attendance to LD events.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

The Community Organizer works closely with La Defensa’s Coalition Lead and collaboratively with staff, contractors, vendors, and coalition partners.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Other duties assigned by the La Defensa leadership team.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: 

2+ years of experience in field/digital organizing, project coordination, and administrative tasks. Demonstrated commitment and passion for criminal justice and the mission of La Defensa. Individuals who have lived experience or have been impacted by the injustice system are highly encouraged to apply. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred but may be substituted with comparable experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

Strong and consistent communication with team and allies. Knowledge of local, state, and federal policy that impacts injustice system reforms and abolitionist efforts in Los Angeles County and California. Experience with Google Suite programs, and a high level of comfort with technology. The candidate must be able to work independently with limited supervision, be exceedingly well organized, flexible and enjoy the challenges of supporting the operational needs of a decentralized team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must have the physical ability to move boxes weighing 20 or 30 pounds each 10 to 15% of work time. Travel will be required. Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a remote telecommute position that requires travel, especially within Los Angeles County and California. Work hours are not expected to exceed over 30 hours per week.

COMPENSATION:

Starting at $24/Hourly. Depending on experience.

HOW TO APPLY:

All interested individuals should follow this link to submit their cover letters and resumes by FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022. All qualified applicants will receive an invitation to schedule a virtual interview within a week of the closing date.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

La Defensa is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary communities especially those impacted by the injustice system. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. Also pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, we encourage and will consider employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. If you seek accommodation, please reach out to careers@ladefensx.org.