Community Organizer (Focus: Community Research & Engagement)

Sisters of the Road is a social justice organization in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood working to create systemic change that will end poverty and homelessness. We build community one relationship at a time, with nonviolence and gentle personalism, believing everyone has a piece of the truth and that we are all more than the sum of our current situation or past experiences. We interrupt violence and oppression in all forms and Sisters of the Road is a safer place where everyone is welcome.

Job description

Position: Community Organizer (Focus: Community Research & Engagement)

Classification: Non-Exempt, 35 hours per week/Monday-Friday

Operating team: Systemic Change

Reports to: Systemic Change Director

Wage: $50,960/year based on $28.00/hour.

Benefits:

• Fully paid health insurance with alternative medicine including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy
• Dental and disability insurance
• Generous vacation leave: 3 wks (1st - 3rd year); 4 wks (4th year and onward)
• Sick leave (15 days/year)
• 31 days paid sabbatical after every three years of consecutive employment
• 11 paid holidays
• Personal paid (3 days)/unpaid leave
• A 30-minute paid lunch time
• Civil disobedience leave up to 5 days per year
• Bereavement leave up to 5 days
• Paid jury duty leave
• Oregon Family Medical Leave after 6 months
• No payroll deduction for Paid Leave Oregon
• Non-profit Parking Permit when available

Position description:

The Systemic Change Organizer engages and centers the Sisters community through grassroots organizing, research, and advocacy related to housing systems and access to resources. Ideal candidate is self motivated and detail oriented with a commitment to building relationships with local community members and leaders. A strong candidate should be passionate about social justice that centers around fighting the violence of poverty and strong organizational skills. May require some evening and weekend hours.

The initial program under this position is our housing survey, which runs through October. The survey is fully grant funded, including this position, and uses Participatory Action Research to center the voice of the houseless community.

Primary tasks of the position:

General

• Collaborate with community partners and team members on projects and events.
• Stay informed and up to date with relevant issues within the region, and coordinate with the Systemic Change Program Director to create actions if needed.
• Attend various relevant committees, and local, state or regional meetings; communicate information related to campaigns effectively and in a timely manner to the team.
• Perform administrative, clerical, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by the Systemic Change Program Director.
• Plan and write communications on various topics, ensuring content is engaging and tailored to our audiences.

Community Research and Organizing

• Develop and perform community-based research projects.
• Utilize Participatory Action Research methods as appropriate.
• Identify strategic partners; build and maintain relationships.
• Plan and follow through with community outreach and engagement activities.
• Develop campaigns based on findings from community-based research projects.

Advocacy

• The Systemic Change Organizer will focus on the following projects:
• Housing Survey Project
• Barter Program Research
• Access to human needs such as: hygiene, water, housing
• Food Justice
• Develop clear and concise reporting and talking points related to campaigns.
• Provide public commentary at the request of the Systemic Change Program Director or Executive Director which may include creating press releases, written and verbal testimony, and responding to media.

Required Skills & Experience

• At least 1 year of formal or informal experience in community organizing, preferably in social justice.
• At least 1 year of formal or informal experience in community based research methods.
• Experience with event planning.
• Some working knowledge of Portland’s political landscape and homeless strategies to date.
• Ability to initiate and foster working community partnerships.
• Excellent problem solving skills and quick decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, and prioritize multiple ongoing projects.
• Ability to build collective momentum and motivate people to action.
• Experience using software such as Trello, Slack, Google Suite, Instagram, Canva.

Sisters of the Road expects all employees to

• Learn and practice the philosophies of nonviolence, gentle personalism.
• Demonstrate commitment to racial justice and anti-oppression through fostering understanding and refusing to perpetuate oppression in the space.
• Commit to a community-organizing model and a systemic change approach.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, staff, volunteers, service partners, neighbors and donors.
• Interrupt violence and provide incident support, as needed.
• Collaborate and share power, including listening and supporting others to create and implement solutions, as well as prioritizing confidentiality.
• Adhere to the personnel policies as defined in the personnel handbook.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Work Environment: This position works in occasionally noisy and busy environments and directly with staff, volunteers, contractors, donors, vendors, and other stakeholders. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. This position is based in an historic building that may experience fluctuations in hot and cold, dust, and other irritants and works out in a loft area without an elevator and including stairs. Sisters of the Road is committed to provide reasonable accommodations.

Sisters of the Road does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, national origin, disability, political belief, marital status, age, sexual orientation, class, housing status, veteran status, physical size, or other legally protected status. Sisters of the Road complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act laws and regulations in the areas of hiring, compensation, benefits, and job assignment. Further, Sisters of the Road is committed to having our staff reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage women, people of color and people with direct experiences of homelessness or extreme poverty to apply.

No phone calls, please. Once the decision has been made, we will call/email to inform candidates of the outcome.

Thank you for applying!