Job Announcement: Community Organizers

Job Announcement: Community Organizers

Posted: January 24, 2022

Application deadline: February 24, 2022 or until position is filled.

Western Colorado Alliance for Community Action is seeking two full time community organizers to join our team. Positions can be based in Garfield County, Montrose County, or Ouray County in Colorado.

Job Description: As a community organizer, you won’t be tied to a desk, you’ll meet lots of people, and you’ll make change happen at the grassroots level. Your role will be to connect with local residents, listen and seek to understand diverse perspectives and experiences, and ultimately bring people together to build their collective clout, to empower them to gain seats at the tables where decisions are made.

About Western Colorado Alliance: Formed in 1980, the Western Colorado Alliance for Community Action brings people together to build grassroots power through community organizing and leadership development. We believe that right now, today, we have the ability and opportunity to create a future where engaged local voices are leading communities across Western Colorado that are healthy, just and self-reliant.

Specific Duties Include:

  • Deep listening & conversations in local communities
  • One on one meeting with residents
  • Facilitating house meetings & community events
  • Recruiting new members
  • Planning and implementing strategy on community campaigns
  • Conducting research
  • Participating in grassroots fundraising efforts
  • Training members in leadership development and organizing skills
  • Planning and generating turnout for organization events
  • Helping members in their contacts with public officials and the press

Essential Qualifications:

  • Commitment to Western Colorado Alliance’s issues and values
  • Ability to get along well with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Ability to work independently, think strategically and be organized in a fast paced working environment
  • Desire / ability to work both independently & in team settings
  • Talent for getting people together and guiding them towards collective action
  • Desire to seek out and learn from feedback
  • Strong interpersonal/communication skills
  • Familiarity with computers and Microsoft Office
  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends, and to occasionally travel out of town for 3-4 days at a time

Preferred Qualifications:

  • First-hand experience of Western Colorado, and a good understanding of the area’s culture and issues
  • Experience working for a nonprofit organization working for social change, on environmental issues, or on a political campaign
  • Experience in communications or fundraising
  • Strong writing skills
  • Experience with online organizing and outreach tools
  • Bilingual in English/Spanish

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary $40,000-47,000, depending on experience. Benefits include health insurance, four weeks’ vacation, pension program, and sabbatical after five years of full-time employment.

Application must include:

  • Cover letter (tell us why you are interested in the job)
  • Resume
  • Contact information for 3 professional references

COVID Policies:

Community organizers are in frequent contact with residents in our communities and require in-person organizing including tabling and other events. Western Colorado Alliance’s staff is currently 100% vaccinated to safeguard the health of our employees, their families, our members, and our communities from COVID 19. We encourage our staff to get vaccinated to ensure safety and public health standards in our office. If you have any questions about our safety policies please contact us at info@westerncoloradoalliance.org.

Western Colorado Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all, and strongly encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people to apply.

 Send application materials to: organizer_search@westerncoloradoalliance.org.

All documents should be in either Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf).

About the author

Jeriel joined the Western Colorado Alliance staff in February 2017 (back when we were still Western Colorado Congress), but you may remember her as our Canvass Director for the successful Minimum Wage ballot initiative in 2016! In her young career, Jeriel has worked with engaged citizens across Colorado on issues ranging from veterans' affairs, healthcare and women’s rights. Jeriel has called Grand Junction and the Western Slope home for 16 years, and enjoys running, hiking, biking and crafting with her daughter Emma.