Community Organizer

Classification	Full-Time, Exempt
Salary	$50,000 - $60,000
Start Date	Immediate
Reports to	Campaign Director
Location	Washington, DC (remote & in-person)
Schedule	40 hours per week, Monday - Friday (some evenings & weekends)

Help build one of DC’s most fierce and effective community organizing groups! Empower DC is seeking experienced candidates for two Community Organizer positions to help our dynamic, grassroots organization build political power with DC residents to advance racial, economic and environmental justice.   

The organization was founded in 2003 and since that time has engaged a multi-generational and multi-ethnic membership base in neighborhood-specific and citywide campaigns addressing issues of affordable housing, childcare, education, public land, community development and environmental justice. Empower DC is known for taking on tough issues and engaging in long-term battles in support of some of the lowest income communities in DC.  At the center of our organizing model are directly impacted grassroots leaders who influence the goals and strategies we employ in our efforts. 

Function:

The Community Organizer(s) will lead grassroots campaigns with our citywide base of impacted and allied residents to advance our goals. We are currently recruiting two Organizers – one will lead our anti-eviction efforts and work with impacted tenants to stop displacement; the other will lead our environmental justice work in Brentwood, Ivy City and through the continued development of the DC Environmental Justice Coalition.  

Position Duties:

Outreach, Recruitment and Leadership Development 

• Carry out extensive grassroots outreach in targeted communities including door-to-door outreach. 
• Hold 1-on-1 meetings with leaders and potential leaders to develop their involvement. 
• Organize and facilitate effective meetings with well-planned agendas, ground rules, and active participation of attendees. Provide training and support to residents to develop their skills and confidence while taking on new and more prominent roles within the work.  
• Identify and cultivate partners to support our goals. 

Campaign Development 

• With assistance from the Campaign Director, develop and implement effective campaign strategies, ensuring consistency and escalation to build momentum towards our goals.  
• Stay informed and involved in venues to remain up-to-date on campaign related issues, be knowledgeable of decision makers and other actors.  
• Develop clear and informative campaign related materials for both print and digital distribution.  
• Support the successful use of nonviolent direct action where necessary. 

Organizational Growth and Development  

• Recruit and encourage the active participation of members.  
• Support robust participation of members in Membership Meetings, trainings, actions and other organizational events.  
• Support fundraising activities by sharing successes and stories related to campaign work in appeals, at events, funder site visits, etc.  
• Record and track campaign activities, participant contact information, and other relevant information. 
• Support the management of interns and volunteers. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Location:

This is a hybrid position. The Community Organizer should be based in Washington, DC or nearby and able to attend in-person meetings and events, as well as work in Empower DC’s office (1419 V St, NW), approximately four - six days per month. 

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader who flourishes in a fast-paced

• Organizing experience (paid or volunteer) is desired but not required.  
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the District of Columbia, its neighborhoods and local political landscape. Knowledge of specific campaign issues is desired but not required.   
• Commitment to community-led change and to social, economic, and racial justice, including the ability to work effectively with people of all backgrounds and identities.  

• Superb comprehension and critical thinking skills, including the ability to examine policy issues, think strategically, and relay complicated information in a user-friendly manner.  
• Superb organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, provide leadership in groups, manage projects with multiple parts, and manage time effectively.  
• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to resolve conflicts professionally and effectively.  
• Ability to work some evening and weekend hours.  
• Ability to travel throughout the District, lift and carry campaign related supplies. A driver's license and personal vehicle, although not required, is helpful for this position.  

• Proficiency (or ability to quickly develop proficiency) with Outlook, SharePoint, CRM databases (NationBuilder), and Canva. 
• Conversational Spanish or Amharic skills are a plus. 

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits. Empower DC covers 100% of the costs of health, dental and vision insurance. Empower DC annually contributes 2.5% of each full-time employee’s salary to a retirement benefit plan. Employees accrue 10 days of vacation leave, 10 days sick leave, two personal days and all federal holidays. Our office also closes between Christmas and New Year’s. After each five-year anniversary with Empower DC, an employee is entitled to one month of paid leave as a thank you for long-time service, and as a time to refresh and rejuvenate. During the pandemic employees also receive a monthly $100 telework stipend.

To Apply:

Send an email with a resume and cover letter of why you are interested in the position to hello@empowerdc.org. Please include "Community Organizer" in the email subject. 

Applicants must have authorization to work in the US. Empower DC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Empower DC requires all staff to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters (with limited exceptions for religious or medical reasons).