Community Organizer, Maryland
Jews United for Justice (JUFJ), along with our sister 501(c)4 organization, the JUFJ Campaign Fund (JUFJCF), is seeking an experienced full-time Community Organizer to continue building and mobilizing our constituency to win local issue campaigns in Maryland. JUFJ is hiring for an entry, mid or senior-level Community Organizer, depending on the candidate’s level of experience.
The ideal candidate will excel at building relationships and working with a team to make an impact. They will be committed to getting results in a fast-paced environment and able to manage a significant workload and master complicated details and situations. This is a full-time, exempt position that falls within a bargaining unit represented for collective bargaining purposes by a labor organization (NPEU/Local 70, IFPTE).
About Jews United for Justice
Jews United for Justice advances economic, racial, and social justice in the Washington, DC and Maryland region by educating and mobilizing our local Jewish communities to action. We move our region closer to equity and justice by advancing issue-based campaigns that make real, immediate, and concrete improvements in people’s lives and build the power of working-class and poor communities of color. Through these campaigns we develop leaders, build our Jewish grassroots community, shift the consciousness of our community, and build the collective power needed to undo systemic racism and inequality. Learn more about JUFJ.
Job Responsibilities
Campaigns and Education
- Support the development and implementation of issue-based legislative campaigns and electoral work that are central to JUFJ’s mission and strategic plan.
- Partner with volunteer leaders to plan and lead our Maryland work, including developing campaign strategy, planning campaign actions, events, and meetings.
- In election cycles, play a leading role at our sister 501(c)4 organization, the JUFJ Campaign Fund, to run a candidate endorsement process and mobilize supporters to elect endorsed candidates.
- Support the organizing work in Baltimore.
- In coordination with other organizers and volunteer leaders, plan and execute educational and community building programs, facilitating and presenting as needed.
- Participate in legislative advocacy as part of our campaign work, which might include meetings with legislators, coordinating with community members to testify at hearings, lobby days, and other advocacy activities.
Leadership Development and Base Building
- Recruit, expand and maintain JUFJ’s broader base of community members.
- Identify and recruit volunteer leaders to participate in and lead JUFJ teams.
- Support and train active leaders and community members to successfully take on increasing leadership roles, own their pieces of work, and feel connected to JUFJ as a whole.
Coalition Building
- Build new and maintain existing relationships with allies, organizational partners, synagogues and other Jewish institutions, and elected leaders.
- Represent JUFJ and our sister 501(c)4 organization the JUFJ Campaign Fund in issue campaign and electoral organizing work with a range of allied organizational partners and institutions, playing a leadership role in them as appropriate.
Communications and Data Management
- Collaborate with communications staff to create regular email communications with our community and support the maintenance of JUFJ’s social media and web presence. Collect and maintain accurate program specific data using our CRM, EveryAction.
Preferred Qualifications & Experience
Jews United for Justice seeks candidates with the following qualifications:
- Community Organizing Experience: Experience in community or labor organizing, field organizing for a political campaign, or other directly related professional experience and/or demonstrated similar and relevant expertise.
- Aligned Values: Actively demonstrates integrity, a commitment to racial justice, and alignment with the mission of Jews United for Justice. Familiarity with Jewish cultural norms and navigating Jewish institutions is a plus.
- Building Relationships: Proven success developing relationships with community members and partners, and building a base to support a cause.
- Political Experience: The ability to master a complicated political landscape quickly and thoroughly and use that information to make strategic decisions to advance a campaign. The ideal candidate will also have a familiarity with the Maryland political landscape and change-making groups.
- Volunteer Management: Experience overseeing and managing volunteers while supporting them to take ownership over their piece of the work.
- Communication Skills: Strong formal writing skills and experience producing expository and persuasive content, especially in a community organizing context. Strong listening, verbal communication, and conflict management skills.
- Leadership Skills: Outstanding leadership qualities and the ability to inspire, develop, and connect with Jewish social justice activists and community leaders.
- Team Player: Views own work as supporting the whole, and integral to the team’s effectiveness. The candidate should have a sense of humor, low ego, and a genuine commitment to working in a collaborative team setting.
- Attention to Detail: Demonstrated commitment to meeting high standards in a fast-paced environment. Has a history of managing a high volume of work and getting things done without sacrificing quality, even in the face of obstacles.
- Technology: Has experience working with technology and has an appetite and aptitude to learn more about Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Asana, and our CRM, EveryAction (NGP VAN).
Logistics
- Compensation: 0-7 years of experience: $48,000 – $72,000 per year commensurate with experience
- Benefits: JUFJ offers a competitive benefits package covering 100% of employee medical & dental insurance premiums, 25% of premiums for employee dependents, 3% employer retirement contributions, short-term disability income protection insurance, and generous paid time off, including 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, and a sabbatical every 7 years on staff.
- Location: This is a full-time position based out of JUFJ’s Washington, DC or Baltimore office. All staff are permitted to work remotely unless attending an event or action. Must be available and willing to regularly work some nights and some Sundays (schedule varies week-to-week).
- During approximately three months of the year (during the Maryland General Assembly session, from January – April) the chosen candidate will be expected to work for part of each week out of a seasonal office in Annapolis.
JUFJ is committed to building a diverse team that draws on the strengths of people with a variety of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. People of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ+ people, and immigrants are particularly encouraged to apply. You do not need to be Jewish. Please send a cover letter indicating your years of experience and resume to jobs@jufj.org and indicate Community Organizer, Maryland in the subject line.