Overview

A little about us…

We are a statewide, grassroots membership organization that fights for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. We organize in communities to build power. We collaborate with organizations and coalitions in communities across New York to win on key issues and elect progressive candidates at the local, state and federal levels. Our member-driven organizing campaigns focus on issues at the state, local, and federal levels, including ending mass incarceration, public education funding, housing, health care, money in politics and taxing the rich. We play a leadership role in organizing major statewide coalitions and campaigns fighting for bold policy changes.

We’re looking to add a Community Organizer to our team. This position will report to the Regional Director for the region. 

This dynamic, fast-paced role takes an individual with a strong work ethic and a desire to help others while furthering the movement. Success will require skills including supervision and team management, prioritization, organization and attention to detail, perseverance, and a solutions-oriented approach to the work.

Citizen Action of New York takes pride in hiring staff who share our values & characteristics. 

These include:

  • Commitment to Citizen Action’s mission and vision and passionate about issues of social, racial, economic and environmental justice
  • Ability to think strategically and creatively to solve problems
  • A high degree of professionalism and professional maturity
  • Collaborative work style and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people from a variety of different backgrounds

What you’ll do and the impact you’ll make:

  • Community outreach to grow our base of prospective volunteers through door knocking, phone banks, canvasses, tabling, petitioning, and other activities that build visibility of Citizen Action in the community.
  • Recruit, engage, and develop volunteer leaders to organize phone banks, canvass, plan events, lobby, facilitate committee meetings, and other chapter activities that advance the strategic goals of our campaigns.
  • Maintain volunteer lists using VAN and other internal databases.
  • Recruit dues-paying members to Citizen Action of New York and support fundraising events.
  • Organize direct action events that engage the community to win campaigns that create concrete changes in people’s lives.

Who you are and what you’ve accomplished:

  • At least one year (preferred) of community organizing, paid canvass, or electoral campaign experience/ transferable skills.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment that can be stressful and has competing priorities.
  • Great people skills, proven to work well with diverse communities
  • A commitment to promoting racial and gender justice.
  • Be able to pay attention to detail and work well under pressure of deadlines and accountability systems.
  • A positive attitude and work ethic toward social change and skills for organizing online using social media tools as well as in the field.
  • Willingness to work long hours, including some nights and weekends.

Extra Credit:

  • Thorough knowledge of organizing and political campaign strategies, planning and execution. Demonstrated success in organizing communities on issue campaigns through activities like list building, phone banking and canvassing, committee creation and support, direct action event planning, and membership recruitment.
  • Experience in fundraising.
  • Ability to work independently with members and elected leaders in complex political situations.
  • Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships and to work in a team.
  • Willingness to work as part of a team, recognizing that compromise may be necessary in order to move the work forward.
  • A deep commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice.
  • Bilingual in Spanish. 

Our Benefits:

  • Working collaboratively in an organization at the forefront of building power across NYS 
  • Competitive salary
  • 100% paid employee monthly medical and vision premiums
  • Access to mental health and dental plans
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Monthly cell phone stipend
  • 12 organization-paid holidays, generous vacation 
  • Biannual statewide staff meetings

Salary: The salary for this position is  $51,188.00.

Relocation stipend available.

This position is based in the Southern Tier, NYS – preferably Binghamton and directly surrounding areas. 

Please note, all benefits are subject to change.

Citizen Action of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We are looking for the most passionate people who want to join our team. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Applicants may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the terms of the ADA and state/local laws. Please let us know if you need assistance participating in the interview process.

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