JOB DESCRIPTION:

BILINGUAL WORKER JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER (Full Time)

Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, Iowa City, IA

ROLE DESCRIPTION:
CWJ is seeking a lead organizer who is experienced, self-motivated, and passionate about building power for low-wage workers. Our lead organizer will recruit members and develop leaders, and coordinate several current worker justice campaigns. The best candidate has at least one year of paid experience conducting home visits, holding membership meetings, leading direct actions, and working with a diverse membership.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
o Develop campaign strategy to confront wage theft, defend tenants’ rights, promote economic and social justice, and pass local ordinances.
o Recruit, identify, and develop worker members to guide and lead campaigns.
o Motivate individual workers and groups of workers to take action.
o Build one-on-one relationships with workers.
o Work to involve community allies and organizations in organizing campaigns.
o Communicate in both English and Spanish regularly with members, leaders, and allies using email, mass text (WhatsApp, etc.), social media, and Salsa (mass email listserv system) to promote education and action in support of CWJ programs.
o Maintain databases of demographics, membership, etc.
o Report to CWJ Executive Director and Board of Directors.

o Create basic campaign literature, including flyers and agendas.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
o Assist with other CWJ events.
o Assist in fundraising efforts.
o Oversee and supervise part-time employees, interns and volunteers in resolving members’ concerns.

o Any other duties required to carry out the work of CWJ.

A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:
♣ At least one year of paid experience in community or labor organizing.
♣ Native-like spoken and written proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Arabic.
♣ Access to an insured vehicle and valid driver’s license.

♣ A strong commitment to CWJ’s mission and belief in empowering low-wage workers to lead their own campaigns for social, economic and racial justice through organizing and direct action.
♣ Ability to work with coalition partners in faith-based groups and labor unions.

♣ Experience working with a diverse community of people, including immigrants and people of color.

♣ Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including one-on-one communication (active listening, clearly conveying ideas) and public speaking.
♣ Have some understanding of current wage and hour labor laws.
♣ Resilience, passion, and willingness to learn and take direction – ability to bounce back quickly from set-backs.

♣ Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

o Base annual salary of $40,000 – $50,000 depending on experience.
o Health care coverage.
o Generous paid vacation.
o Flexible work environment and scheduling.

SCHEDULE: An average of 40-50 hours per week, which may fluctuate. Evening and some weekend availability is necessary.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

• Please send a cover letter and resume to Mazahir Salih, CWJ Executive Director, at mazahir@cwjiowa.org with the subject line “Community Organizer Application.” We will consider applications sent by Thursday, December 15th or until the position is filled.