Alabama Contract Organizer

Position: Alabama Contract Organizer

Department: Southern

Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt

Location: Hybrid - Alabama

Reports to: Southern Program Director

Salary Range: $60,000-$75,000 based on relevant experience

Who we are ─ About Jobs to Move America:

Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

At this critical time for lower-income, frontline communities and people of color, JMA is uniquely positioned to advance a powerful agenda for equitable job creation and climate justice, as well as expanded access to training for historically underrepresented groups in the growing green infrastructure and clean technology sectors. The Alabama Senior Organizer will be responsible for organizing workers and community members to carry out JMA’s local strategies in 1-2 campaigns to win equity-based policies for good jobs, climate justice & accountability as well as community benefits agreements to strengthen the decision-making ability of workers and community members in how public-subsidized projects are developed.

What You’ll Do ─ Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Organizer builds trust and consensus with key stakeholders that will include workers at a specific worksite, grassroots community members in key geographic areas, and/or organizational and union partners that can contribute to advancing our vision of public goods for the most public good.

This role is a one year contract. The position may be extended beyond this period depending on future campaign opportunities.

The Organizer will:

• Develop and carry out the local, community-and-worker strategy in 1-2 community benefits agreement campaigns;
• Interview and mobilize workers and community members to obtain information, prepare campaign tactics and materials, and build organizing lists. Contribute lead thinking to strategy and identify new opportunities to build the power we need in order to win;
• Help strengthen JMA’s organizing program by producing organizing materials such as raps, worker lists and assessment tools materials, and facilitating trainings for other organizers and JMA staff;
• Become familiar with the local political leaders, residents, social organizations, faith groups and churches, community meetings and meeting spaces, union locals, etc. in your target’s geographic area by carrying out community power mapping and/or asset mapping with the goal of building grassroots power and infrastructure to win the campaign;
• Develop substantial 1:1 relationships through regular meetings and consistent follow-up with key stakeholders, especially workers;
• Act as an effective spokesperson for JMA’s vision, work and campaigns;
• Recruit new partners to join or support our coalitions and advocacy efforts that relate your assignment;
• Effectively use tools, data, tracking and work planning to demonstrate engagement and interaction with coalition partners and workers;
• Conduct and monitor survey collection projects in support of strategic research;
• Contribute to JMA’s organizational development, for example assisting with fundraising, providing peer evaluations, and participating in JMA staff committees (not to exceed 15% of time)
• To maintain a healthy work/life balance, travel related to the work responsibilities outlined above will be limited to no more than three days per work week and no more than one weekend per month will be assigned.

About you ─ Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is able to dive into our campaigns and take initiative over their work. You should have most of the following qualifications:

• A demonstrable commitment to racial, gender, social and economic justice and experience centering such issues within an organizing context;
• At least 2-3 years of experience in labor, community and/or political campaigns, preferably in the South with working knowledge of regional political dynamics and coalitions;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate JMA’s work to the public and to a wide variety of stakeholders which may include coalition and union partners, elected officials and government employees, among others;
• Ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across race and other group identities, including JMA employees as well as external partners;
• Ability to continually assess and deepen the commitment of key stakeholders, and workers through regular 1:1s, thoughtful asks, and securing of commitments through effective turnout;
• Maintain a high level of timely follow-up to follow through on commitments – both personal commitments made as well as commitments made by partners, allies and workers;
• Maintain flexibility: be ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and adapt quickly to change;
• Demonstrated self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions;
• Facilitation skills and ability to move coalition members to shared agreement and action;
• Ability to participate in a culture of honest and direct feedback;
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments to completion and meet deadlines;
• Experience directly organizing and/or mobilizing workers in an industrial environment;
• Familiarity with GoogleSuite and openness to learning new administrative programs such as BambooHR, Certify and other web based platforms;
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred;
• Frequent daily and overnight travel and reliable transportation are required for the position.

NOTE: This position will require frequent visits to the River Region of Alabama. Ideally the organizer will be based in the Birmingham or the Montgomery area.

Other Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to communicate clearly on telephone with reasonable accommodations

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits:

• $60,000-$75,000 with annual salary increases
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two week winter break at the end of each December. Staff can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home
• Work from home office set up provided if needed
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is included in the collective bargaining agreement.

How to Apply:

Complete the application form and upload a cover letter, resume, and three work references. Only applications submitted via this process will be considered. No phone calls, please. As part of the candidate screening process for this role, applicants will be asked to complete a writing assignment and technical skills assessment.

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment. Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee's voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.

In order to assist us in achieving our goals as a diverse and inclusive workforce, we ask optional

self-identification questions in the job application.