Lead Organizer

About Futurewise

Futurewise works throughout Washington State to support land-use policies that encourage healthy, equitable and opportunity-rich communities and that protect our most valuable farmlands, forests, and water resources. www.futurewise.org

General Job Description

The Lead Organizer is a 9-month, temporary, full-time position coordinating efforts to incorporate climate change, race and social justice, and housing affordability into Washington State’s Growth Management Act. If successful, these policy changes would result in the most significant update to Washington State’s land use planning laws since 1991, setting more favorable grounds for subsequent organizing at the state and local level. The Lead Organizer will work closely with the State Policy Director, Development Director, and Executive Director and will be responsible for coordination with partners, recruitment and engagement of grassroots supporters, and external communications.

The position requires experience with engaging grassroots community members, identifying and recruiting leaders, and mobilizing supporters to take action in support of policy goals. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, inter‐disciplinary, and innovative work environment, experimenting and using your creativity to overcome social distancing restrictions and build a more sustainable and equitable future for communities in Washington State.

Position Details

Strategy Development

 Implement statewide organizing strategy
 Evaluate and adjust strategy as needed to maximize impact in key legislative districts
 Build relationships and systems that will increase long-term organizational capacity of future policy change

Recruiting and Engaging Allies

 Coordinate coalition partner meetings
 Recruit and engage new coalition partners
 Provide tools for partners to engage their members and help us identify leaders in key legislative districts
 Create action alerts and other action opportunities for partners during legislative session

Communications

 Write print and electronic communications
 Support development of messaging
 Help partners and community leaders adopt messaging
 Identify and engage media outlets to generate coverage

Mobilizing and Growing Grassroots Supporters

 Call, text, and video chat with Futurewise’s existing supporters and new prospects
 Organize supporters to recruit local community leaders, organizations, and other new supporters, gather petitions, write and call legislators, provide public testimony, and submit letters to the editor and op-eds in local news sources
 Pull lists from Futurewise supporter database and voterfile to prioritize outreach
 Coordinate with individual donor fundraising
 Build and measure capacity towards mobilization goals

Qualifications

 1-5 years of experience organizing with community organizations, labor, electoral campaigns or other similar work
 Experience building relationships and trust with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills
 Excellent time management and prioritization skills
 Ability to be strategic and creative in a fast-paced environment with quickly changing circumstances
 Ability to work nights and weekends
 Flexibility to work independently and collaboratively, maintaining clear communication
 Basic computer literacy and the willingness and ability to learn database, email, and social media tools.
 Passion and familiarity with the issues of climate change, racial justice, and housing affordability

Project Location, Salary and Benefits

During the period of employment, Futurewise expects to remain in a work-from-home mode in response to social distancing safety measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Most work will be virtual and remote. Futurewise will provide a laptop computer. The Lead Organizer will be expected to use their own cell phone, but we will offer a plan subsidy to cover the cost of additional calls. In person meetings and engagement may begin if determined to be safe by local public health officials.

Salary is commensurate with experience but is expected to be in the $4,000-$4,800 per month range. Benefits include eligibility for Simple IRA participation, paid ORCA card for regional transit, paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, and medical, dental and vision benefits.

Posting Expiration Date

Position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by August 16, 2020.

How to Apply

The position is open immediately. For full consideration, please provide materials as soon as possible. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and at least three references in PDF format to jobs@futurewise.org. Please make the subject line of the email your last name followed by “Lead Organizer” and address the cover letter to Alex Brennan. No phone calls please. Due to the large number of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted.

Futurewise is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity in all areas of our operations. We are committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.