Are you angry about the injustices your community faces? Do you want to learn how to build the people power necessary to fight those injustices and make real, local change? As a community organizer with FAST, you’ll learn how to bring together our area's diverse faith community to address the root causes of serious community problems.

FAST is a constituent-led, grassroots organization that brings together faith communities to address the root causes of serious community problems across Pinellas County, FL.

FAST is part of the Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART), one of the largest faith-based community organizing networks in the country. We believe that fighting for racial and economic justice is fundamental to our identity as people of faith, and we know that successfully fighting for justice requires having power in the public arena. DART’s been organizing interfaith coalitions to build power since 1982. A few of our victories include:

Over $1 billion invested in affordable housing
$950 million invested in public transportation
More than $22 million secured for communities to address the climate crisis and increase resiliency
Criminal justice reforms resulting in 60,000 fewer arrests of children

About this training program

These victories are possible because local organizers built serious power among congregations to turn out thousands of people to Nehemiah Actions. The Lead Community Organizer In Training program is a new, cutting edge program designed to allow those with the passion to lead, but who lack experience with our organizing model, to be trained for the Lead Organizer role. Typically when hiring Lead Organizers we look for people who have a proven track record of being able to turn out at least 500 people to a Nehemiah Action. If you don’t have that experience yet but would like to be trained to work with diverse congregations to turn out 500-1,000 people each year in the fight for justice, then this is the right role for you.

Upon successful completion of our organizer training program (6-12 months) you will then become Lead Organizer of FAST. The Lead Organizer will direct the organization and take responsibility for hiring and supervising all staff, financial management of the organization, and guiding the organization’s long term mission. The Lead Community Organizer In Training reports directly to the organization's personnel committee (on behalf of the board of directors). DART staff play a direct role in weekly training and supervision and work directly with the organization’s personnel committee.

In DART we believe that supervisors lead by example and our most senior people still spend time in the field and are held to the same standards as Associate Organizers. If you are looking for a job where you stay in the office and tell other people what to do, then this job is not for you. If you have a deep desire to recruit and develop grassroots leaders, to invest in the skills and training of other organizers, and to challenge faith-leaders to reclaim their prophetic voice in the public arena, then this job is for you.

What you will get from the training

Formal training and personal development: you will get hands-on training in power analysis, grassroots fundraising, campaign development, policy research and analysis, operations management, skills for negotiating with decision makers, staff leadership and development, base-building, board oversight, grassroots leadership development and membership recruitment.
Mentorship and coaching: Individualized mentorship and coaching that focuses on your individual growth. You will receive one-on-one training from DART’s Director of Organizing and will have the opportunity to learn from and shadow some of the most successful organizers in the DART network.

Networking & relationship building opportunities: The Lead Organizer In Training will be a part of a regional cohort of organizers that regularly come together for trainings and retreats and often turn to one another to get support and share inspiration.
Concrete community impacts: FAST is currently fighting to reallocate millions of dollars for affordable housing for low-income families to win code changes that mandate Green Stormwater Infrastructure for all new development, and for better access to mental health services across the county.

Primary Responsibilities:

Building engagement in the community
- Train grassroots faith leaders how to engage others in the fight for justice & recruit new leaders and congregations into the organization.
Drive forward campaigns on community problems
- Train grassroots leaders to identify community problems, conduct research, and develop action plans for issue campaigns.
- Organize public actions of over 1,000 people.
Fundraising from local sources
- Be trained on and then coordinate an annual 6-8 week fundraising drive with grassroots leaders who fundraise from individuals, small businesses, and major corporations in the community.
- Ensure that dues from member congregations are collected.

Who You Are

You want to learn how to bring together diverse congregations to bring thousands of people together to win local justice issues. You are ambitious and want to not just be an organizer in the field, but help lead FAST in its vision to grow annual action turnout to over 3,000 people per year. You have a passion for justice, and are energized by the prospect of uniting diverse people around a common cause. You are naturally curious and value strong relationships. You may or may not be personally religious. Either way, you have a genuine respect for all faith traditions and are excited about working with faith communities to live out their call to “do justice”.

FAST is a diverse coalition of religious congregations that includes communities of color, low-to-moderate-income communities and immigrant communities. We strongly encourage people from these backgrounds, as well as fluent Spanish speakers, to apply.

Qualifications:

Core passion to win on local justice campaigns
Excellent relationship-building skills
Enthusiasm for working with clergy and diverse faith communities
Interest in working with people from different racial backgrounds, religious backgrounds, and political persuasions to find issues of common ground.
Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a car
Ability to travel for training events throughout the year
At least 1 year experience in direct action, community organizing, or advocacy

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary is $55,000-$70,000 annually.Benefits include:

FAST makes generous retirement contributions of 10% after one year of employment - no match required.
Three weeks of paid vacation in your first year and four weeks thereafter
11 paid holidays
Flexible scheduling
Healthcare reimbursement of $500 for an individual and $750 for a family
Parental leave
Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
Relocation assistance
Comprehensive, on-the-job training through the DART Organizers Institute and individual consulting

FAST is a constituent-led, grassroots organization that brings together faith communities to address the root causes of serious community problems across Pinellas County, FL.