Community Organizer

The Community Organizer will research, implement strategies, and build networks to mobilize and organize community members and address issues affecting them, focusing on health equity. The ideal candidate is passionate about community engagement, deeply understands community issues, and has excellent communication skills.

The Community Organizer will be expected to establish and maintain relationships with key individuals and groups and conduct various events and initiatives to promote cohesion and involvement.

This position provides opportunities to develop subject matter expertise, participate in informative training and meetings, and engage with community leaders at home and nationwide.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Organizer

The Community Organizer (CO) will be responsible for engaging Black and Brown communities in Tennessee to address health equity. They will support communities in addressing individual and broad community health, wellness, and equity challenges. They will help individuals and communities understand their health challenges and help them take leadership to address them. The CO will work to bring community members together to collaborate to change the conditions that cause illness, including developing strategies for the community to work collectively to address the root problems of the health crisis facing Tennesseans.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with communities to identify needs and develop and implement appropriate solutions.
• Organize and facilitate community events and initiatives.
• Advocate for and represent the community in discussions with relevant parties.
• Educate and mobilize community members to participate in community-building activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop strategic community engagement plans.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships.
• Prepare and present reports on community engagement activities.
• Provide outreach, education, and support for community members within Black and Brown communities of Tennessee.
• Support residents in addressing the social determinants of health.
• Develop and foster relationships with community-based and faith-based organizations to share resources and collaborate on collective change efforts.
• Participate in health equity and community organizing coalitions and organizations.
• Document outreach and engagement efforts, helping build the membership base.
• Manage listservs of partners, databases, electronic and paper files
• Generate initial drafts of surveys, correspondence, presentations, and program materials
• Conduct research, particularly on issues related to health equity, community, and engagement
• Write blog posts or summaries highlighting programmatic work
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills and Qualifications

Ideally, the CO will be grounded in one of the communities ACCT serves - Chattanooga, Jackson, Knoxville, Memphis, or Nashville - and have a track record of engagement in outreach or organizing. Flexibility to allow for work outside of regular business hours and a track record of working independently with good time management skills is a plus when you apply for this job. Community organizing experience, group facilitation skills, and a demonstrated commitment to social and justice are substantial assets that will be considered in hiring.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent understanding of community-based issues
• Commitment to health equity and social justice
• Flexibility, creativity, and ability to solve problems
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with event planning and execution
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
• Computer skills
• Strong oral and writing skills
• Able to work with diverse populations
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel a few times a year

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Some college - in Social Sciences, Community Development, or a related field
• Proven experience as a community organizer, a similar role, or some experience in grassroots leadership and social justice organizing.
• Ability to inspire and mobilize individuals and groups
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently
• Excellent follow-up and follow-through skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and with diverse groups of people
• Knowledge of public policy
• Experience in social change activism such as legislative advocacy or political/policy issue campaigns; community organizing; working with coalitions and stakeholders; and/or implementing communications strategies