Community Organizer

Position Summary:

The Community Organizer is a full-time position focused on community education, engagement, and mobilization around affordable housing and homelessness issues in King County, with a focus on East King County and Seattle. This role has dedicated funding secured for two years. Working closely with HDC staff and partners, the Community Organizer will engage grassroots community members, identify and recruit leaders, and mobilize supporters to advocate for policy objectives. This position offers the opportunity to operate within a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment. Creativity is encouraged to build community connections, increase public awareness of solutions to address homelessness and housing insecurity, and contribute to a more affordable and equitable future for communities across King County.

Position Responsibilities:

• Community Engagement
  • Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, faith-based organizations, and grassroots networks to enhance long-term organizational capacity for future policy change.
  • Engage community members through educational events and conversations about permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention efforts, and resources for affordable housing.
  • Identify and engage new coalition partners, community leaders, and supportive residents to build a broader base of support.
• Communications & Narrative Change
  • Collaborate with HDC policy and communications staff to develop compelling messaging and communications materials on affordable housing and homelessness issues.
  • Share educational materials that build understanding and drive action among diverse audiences.
• Mobilize Supporters for Policy Advocacy
  • Equip community advocates with resources to engage in advocacy, including talking points, action alerts, and educational materials.
  • Use social media, email campaigns, and other digital tools to educate and mobilize supporters.
  • Organize supporters to gather petitions, write and call legislators, provide public testimony, and submit letters to the editor.
  • Continuously evaluate mobilization strategies to maximize participation and achieve advocacy goals.

Required Competencies:

• 1-5 years of experience in community organizing, labor organizing, electoral campaigns, or similar work.
• Passion and commitment to the issue of affordable housing in King County.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for varied audiences.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Flexibility to work independently and collaboratively, maintaining clear communication.
• Basic digital literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint).

Desired Competencies:

• Experience working with database systems, like Salsa and Salesforce, to track engagement and communicate with volunteers.
• Experience using social media tools to educate and mobilize community members.