State Community Organizer, Alabama State Office

Summary:

The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. 

The State Community Organizer will work closely with colleagues in the SPLC state team/Impact Strategy Group to engage community members in advancing the Center’s mission, vision, and impact goals. The Organizer will collaborate with ally organizations and activists, working to build the power of community member. Working at both the local, state, and federal levels, the Organizer will lead outreach efforts to recruit and support a community-based network engaged in efforts to secure sanitation improvements in rural areas across the Alabama Black Belt. The Organizer recruits and manages volunteers, develops tools and educational materials, and facilitates and plans community forums and meetings focused on new and improved wastewater services for underserved communities of color. The organizer will also assist community members with the administrative processes of state and federal agencies leading to technical assistance and possible project funding for community-identified sanitation projects.

SPLC Impact Areas:
1.    Expanding voting rights and civic engagement amongst communities of color 
2.    Eradicating poverty and building the wealth of communities of color 

This position will end in 2024 as funding for this program will end at this time. 

Primary Job Functions:

•    Learn and embrace the SPLC Organizing Model and approach to leadership development;
•    Support a network of underserved communities in at least six Black Belt counties (must include Lowndes and Greene Counties) seeking new investments in sanitation to facilitate their participation and self-advocacy and connecting these communities with resources for technical assistance;
•    Under the direction of the State Office Director, develop a clear power analysis of the state and the Black Belt region, an organizing plan, and goals for recruiting and maintaining volunteers and volunteer leaders for the network;
•    Contribute to the development and strengthening of community coalitions and leadership engaged in sanitation issues. This includes but is not limited to developing relationships with local and state organizations and leaders; coordination of regular meetings, trainings, strategy sessions, and actions; and engaging allies in campaigns and advocacy efforts;
•    Conduct education events and civic engagement actions; facilitate issue-based public education and community workshops;
•    Work with Communications team to create educational materials and advocacy alerts for supporter and volunteer activities and events;
•    Build relationships with local, state, and federal government agencies and elected officials to build awareness of and support for the network; 
•    Engage and support communities participating in the network to facilitate their participation in public engagement opportunities (e.g., public comment periods, public hearings, application requirements and deadlines);
•    Provide regular reporting and tracking of deliverables including tracking of the award of federal and state wastewater funds for technical assistance and for project implementation in Alabama and progress; 
•    Recruit and manage volunteers;
•    Prepare regular reports for supervisor/management/the Board of Directors; and
•    Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications –
Education and Related Work Experience:

•    At least one year of experience with community organizing and/or community engagement; 
•    At least one year of experience working on campaigns and/ or advocacy efforts (grassroots, political organizing, or campaign experience); and
•    High school diploma or GED. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

•    Strong listening, persuasion, and facilitation skills;
•    Excellent organization and time management skills.
•    Ability to build and maintain relationships of trust work with diverse groups of people;
•    A deep and demonstrated commitment to racial equity and an understanding of the daily systemic barriers faced by people living in rural communities, in addition to those faced by BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ community members and people with disabilities
•    Willingness to develop an understanding of the barriers to rural sanitation funding, application     requirements, and availability of technical assistance for communities;
•    Willingness to develop an understanding of existing and potential funding for sanitation available through the USDA Rural Housing and Rural Water and Waste Disposal Programs;
•    Ability to work independently, navigate obstacles, discern priorities, meet competing deadlines and handle multiple projects;
•    Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends;
•    Must have reliable transportation, ability to drive, maintain a valid driver’s license, and travel as needed on a regular basis;
•    Ability to speak Spanish is a plus;
•    Commitment to the ideals of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
•    Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Compensation:  

This is a non-exempt role and the minimum starting salary is $52,621.00 annually ($25.30 per hour). Salary is based on years of experience.

Work Designation:

This role has the following work designation options:

• Local Remote:  Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework:  Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.

Other Special Considerations:

This position will end in 2024 as funding for this program will end at this time.

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Disclaimer:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.