Syracuse Organizer

Position: Organizer

Department: Northeast

Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt

Location: Syracuse or Onondaga County preferred

Reports to: Northeast Director

Salary Range: $62,000-$83,000

About Us

Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy and action center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

JMA is at the forefront of smart policy and strategic organizing to win real benefits for communities and workers of color who too often have been left behind. At this critical time for lower-income, frontline communities and people of color, we are uniquely positioned to advance a powerful agenda for equitable job creation and climate justice, as well as expanded access to training for historically underrepresented groups in the growing green infrastructure and clean technology sectors.

About the Role

The semiconductor industry in New York presents a unique opportunity to ensure the creation and growth of good family and community-sustaining jobs. The organizer will be responsible for building and sustaining an active and engaged community, labor, and environmental coalition to win community benefits agreements that ensure worker and community needs are prioritized in the development of publicly funded projects. The organizer will also advocate for equity-based policies for good jobs, climate justice, and transparency that strengthen the community’s ability to hold corporations accountable and create a fairer economy.

This position is guaranteed for one year with the possibility of extension beyond that.

This hybrid position will require regular participation at virtual meetings and frequent travel to in-person meetings throughout the greater Syracuse region. It may also require travel to other regions.

What You’ll Do

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain substantial 1:1 relationships through regular meetings and consistent follow-up with key community stakeholders including managing and supporting monthly coalition meetings
• Represent JMA in meetings with decision makers and stakeholders and act as a spokesperson where appropriate
• Facilitate or contribute to trainings, meetings, or events designed to build political education and organizing capacity
• Recruit new and maintain current partners and community members to support our coalitions and advocacy efforts
• Mobilize community members to participate in campaigns, leadership development opportunities, and advocacy efforts

Campaign Development

• Working closely with JMA's team of campaigners and researchers, contribute to developing and implementing strategy to achieve campaign goals
• Alongside our community partners, develop and drive JMA’s field coordination efforts in Syracuse to organize community members and local groups to win community benefits campaigns with New York-based companies
• Produce campaign materials such as talking points, organizing raps, outreach tools, and turnout plans
• Conduct outreach, interviews, surveys, and power mapping to support base-building and strategy development

Contribute to Organizational Development

• Act as an effective spokesperson for JMA's vision, work, and campaigns and represent JMA in high-stakes meetings with decision-makers
• Contribute to JMA’s organizational development. For example, assisting with fundraising, providing peer evaluations, and participating in JMA staff committees (not to exceed 10% of time)

What You’ll Bring

Core Experience

• 3+ years of experience organizing with workers, community groups, and/or unions

Key Skills and Strengths

• Knowledge of and experience working within the political landscape and/or within diverse coalition spaces in Syracuse and/or New York is strongly preferred
• Experience leading and/or engaging community coalitions with diverse stakeholders
• Experience directly organizing and/or mobilizing workers in an industrial environment
• Excellent communication and social skills including the ability to develop new contacts and build transformational relationships with workers and organization leaders
• Ability to continually assess and deepen the commitment of key stakeholders, and workers through regular 1:1s, thoughtful asks, and securing of commitments through effective turnout
• Facilitation skills and ability to move coalition members to shared agreement and action
• Proven ability to build relationships with colleagues and external partners across race, class, and identity lines
• High level of timely follow-through and accountability with both internal and external commitments made by partners, allies and workers
• Ability to develop and follow a work plan and work independently to carry out assignments to completion and meet deadlines
• Maintain good judgment, flexibility and creative thinking in difficult situations and evolving circumstances
• Demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback

Additional

• Access to a reliable, insured vehicle for regular work-related travel

Preferred

• Familiarity with workforce development, trades training programs, labor unions, policy and/or research
• Familiarity with GoogleSuite and openness to learning new administrative programs such as BambooHR, Certify and other web based platforms

Other Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to communicate clearly on telephone with reasonable accommodations

Compensation/Benefits

• $62,000- $83,000 with annual salary increases
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision (employee + dependents)
• Generous PTO, including a two-week winter break and sabbatical after 5 years
• 401(k) with 5% employer contribution
• Remote work support (home office setup, internet stipend)
• Professional development opportunities
• PSLF-eligible employer

Jobs to Move America is a unionized workplace (this role is part of the bargaining unit) and is deeply committed to equity and inclusion in its policies and practices.

How to Apply:

Applicants must include information about their connection to or experience working in Onondaga County or the surrounding region in their application materials. To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, responses to brief experience-based questions, and three professional references. All applications must be submitted through this process—no phone calls, please. Interviews will be conducted virtually.

As part of the process, candidates advancing to later stages will be asked to complete a brief skills assessment. Due to the volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to all applicants.

JMA Equal Opportunity

Jobs to Move America is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or other protected status. We are committed to fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of employment and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and those with experience working alongside these communities.

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At JMA, we believe that diverse, engaged, and supported staff are essential to advancing economic, racial, and social justice. We value the perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all team members and believe our work is stronger when everyone’s voice is heard.

As part of our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, we invite applicants to complete optional self-identification questions during the application process.