Sacred Heart Community Service is hiring an
Economic Justice Networks Community Organizer
A cover letter is required. All applications that do not have a cover letter will not be reviewed.
COVID-19 safety protocols are strictly followed by all staff and members. The majority of this work occurs onsite in-person. Some evenings and weekends are required.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Sacred Heart Community Service, located in San Jose, CA, is looking for an Economic Justice Networks Community Organizer to develop the leadership capacity and grassroots activism of disadvantaged, marginalized communities and build a diverse base of allies.
We believe that for too long, education, economic, political, and cultural systems such as capitalism, concentrated power, and racism have served to empower some while oppressing many. We seek a world in which all people have the power of self-determination.
To achieve this long-term goal we believe there are two essential steps. First, we must change the values people use to make decisions. Second, we must change who is involved in decision making.
Our work is anchored in relationships and common values of equity, inclusion, and shared resources and power.
The qualified candidate must be equally committed to our vision of a community united to ensure every child and adult is free from poverty, an approach of driving policy change through transformational leadership development, and teaching and living an anti-racism and anti-oppression worldview.
The qualified candidate also must be organized, and possess excellent oral and written communication skills, experience in leadership development and policy advocacy, an ability to work flexibly and creatively, and have a passion for our mission. For 53 years SHCS has been one of the leading institutions addressing poverty in Santa Clara County through a strategy that combines meeting basic needs and offering tools for self-sufficiency while building power with people to push for systemic change.
Position Summary
The Economic Justice Networks Community Organizer supports SHCS' efforts to change people and policies and fulfill our vision of a community united to ensure that every child and adult is free from poverty. A member of SHCS' Economic Justice Networks team, this position recruits, develops, and supports leaders in our Economic Justice Networks programs. The position is responsible for growing, implementing, and tracking SHCS' efforts to build grassroots leaders' skills, consciousness, and involvement; develop potential allies' political consciousness; and create a culture of organizing and transformation across agency programs. The Organizer plays a key role in planning and implementing economic policy campaign activities to exercise grassroots power and develop a sustained and democratic organization. The position serves as a liaison between internal programs, Santa Clara County programs, the City of San Jose programs, and community partners.
Description of Duties
Grassroots Organizing (80 percent)
Base building
Leadership Training
Collaborates with teammates and leaders to plan and execute an ongoing curriculum joining hard organizing skills with advanced political analysis and an anti-racism and anti-oppression worldview.
Trains leaders on a variety of core organizing skills including: member recruitment, facilitation and public speaking, planning, issue analysis, campaign strategy and tactics, advocacy, and organizational development.
Develops and implements leadership training on social change theory, power analysis, worldview analysis, and ideology.
EJN Policy Campaigns
Works with members in our community on policy issues that serve as the basis for meaningful personal and systemic change within the City, County and State systems.
Trains and positions community leaders to run economic policy campaigns that recognize intersectional issues and incorporate an anti-racism and anti-oppression worldview.
Assists in issue research and analysis.
Trains and mentors leaders to represent the organization in meetings with policymakers and targets, and to develop press stories/materials and media relationships.
Coordinates activities and actions, including the development and implementation of mobilization strategies for public participation City and County council meetings, town halls, public policy hearings, actions, discussions, etc.
Supports leaders to create organizing materials including talking points, marketing collaterals, flyers, fact sheets, etc.
Supports agency-wide advocacy efforts that align with the mission and vision of Sacred Heart, result in meaningful change in people’s lives, and have the support of Economic Justice Networks and SH members.
Mutual Support and Community Building
Collaboration and Partnership (10 percent)
General (10 percent)
Required Qualifications and Experience
REQUIRED:
Preferred
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
The Economic Justice Networks Community Organizer reports to the Economic Justice Networks Organizing Manager.
COMPENSATION:
This is an exempt salaried position paying $55,000 - $65,000 commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include fully paid medical insurance for employees and majority paid medical insurance for qualified dependents, dental insurance, vision insurance, 12 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days per year, paid vacation starting at 10 days per year, additional wellness benefits, basic life and long-term disability insurance, professional development and more.
Sacred Heart Community Service is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. SHCS is committed to building a team of people of diverse ethnic, cultural, and experiential backgrounds. We especially encourage members of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, people of color, women, people living with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ+ people to apply. It is the policy of Sacred Heart Community Service to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. SHCS will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.