PIEDMONT REGIONAL ORGANIZER 

This position is to be based in the Person County, NC area. 

The Opportunity

Down Home North Carolina (DHNC) seeks a full-time Regional Organizer based in Person County and surrounding areas to build power through community outreach, relationship building, and leadership development. The Person County Regional Organizer will be responsible for recruiting, developing, training, and supporting members to take leadership and to build a county-wide, member-led chapter of Down Home North Carolina.

The ideal candidate is a people person who is highly motivated to win changes for working-class people. They have the ability to draw on significant past experience as either a professional organizer or a dedicated grassroots leader. They are goal-oriented with a high degree of personal organization, and enjoy making and executing detailed plans. They have an organizer mindset, a willingness to learn, strong interpersonal skills, are a team player, are able to work independently, and are mission aligned.

About Down Home North Carolina

Down Home North Carolina is a growing statewide organization of rural and small town communities that advocate for economic, gender, and racial justice. We move North Carolina toward the values of dignity, safety, and inclusion through leadership development, strategic campaigning, multiracial movement building, and civic engagement that advances positive, life-changing reforms for rural communities.

Founded in 2017, Down Home has built a strong organizational track record, including:

● Helping to elect the first Latinx state legislator in NC history
● Winning local campaigns to raise the minimum wage for city workers and oppose the expansion of local jails
● Growing a statewide membership base that includes all 100 counties of North Carolina
● Establishing member-led chapters across 8 counties, stretching from mountains to sea
● Anchoring the first southern, rural deep canvass and race-class narrative tests
● Holding and growing statewide coalitions to fight for a just COVID-19 recovery, Medicaid expansion, and public schools

First Year Buckets of responsibility:

1. Build a rural, multiracial, working class base of members and supporters

  • Build trusting relationships and conduct one to ones with community members and leaders
  • Recruit a diverse team of new members and volunteers into Down Home North Carolina, employing various outreach tactics, including door to door canvassing and phone banking  
  • Apply the principles of leadership development to grow member ownership, responsibility, and confidence over time
  • Successfully invite members into organizing activities like meeting participation and door-knocking
  • Prepare and lead trainings (alone or with members) that draws out wisdom of membership and applies it to deepen learning

2. Develop and support Down Home’s member working groups and campaigns

  • Lead local programing in alignment with statewide goals; adjusting programs as needed on the local level
  • Ensure that key field metrics for volunteers and voter contacts are met
  • Maintain essential databases and other tracking systems
  • Recruit, train, and support a team of local community members to identify, develop, and execute strategic issue campaign strategy

3. Represent and embody Down Home’s mission and values

  • Represent Down Home with coalition partners as a media spokesperson and with other key stakeholders
  • Play a part in our diverse, dynamic, and inclusive team of organizers and fellow Down Home staff; contribute positively to the culture of the organization
  • Be dedicated to building power with the multiracial working class of rural North Carolina
  • Model Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) competencies; bring equity and inclusion lenses to all aspects of work

Required skills and experience:

  • Organizer mindset: Committed to grassroots organizing and is grounded in the importance of building a multiracial movement. Is willing and able to build relationships quickly, have strong follow ups, and move people to action. Is willing to take chances, solve problems creatively, and independently. A determination to succeed and build power. Previous experience as an organizer or a grassroots leader is preferred but not required.
  • Willingness to learn: Be willing to learn and/ or adjust organizing techniques. Be able to take coaching from managers and integrate advice into your work areas. Listen to community members and leaders to better understand their communities to ensure that the program is the most effective it can be on the local level.
  • Strong interpersonal skills: Be able to build relationships with community members and leaders. Have deep conversations built around self interest. Be disciplined in accountability and follow up conversations. Be able to manage relationships between members and volunteers. Resolve conflict and find consensus when necessary.
  • Team player: Be able to contribute to a growing and fast paced team. Be able to take directions well and also be willing to contribute by offering feedback and suggestions to co-workers and management. Offer support to teammates and be able to ask for help when needed.
  • Independent worker: Be able to manage multiple projects at one time. Meet deadlines and hit metric goals. Ensure that numbers are reported on time with data integrity at the top of mind. Attention to details and be able to provide thoughtful solutions to problems that arise. Be able to work in a fast paced environment where work areas are expected to change frequently.
  • Mission alignment: Committed to the vision of a powerful, inclusive, rural, multiracial, working-class movement-building as a path towards liberation for all people. Is aligned with the idea that building power takes both election programs and long-term base building and investment in communities. Personal or professional experience living in rural communities, living in the South, rural organizing, and/or organizing in the South are a plus but not required. Familiarity and local experience with Person County or surrounding areas is preferred but not required.

Some irregular hours are required, including nights and weekends. Work location is Roxboro, NC in Person County but may expand to other areas in the region over time. Please note that the majority of work will be in person. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work.

Compensation

Compensation for this full-time staff position is determined by the candidate’s level of experience and ranges between $59,785 to $70,655 annually, includes best-in-class health and we also offer a relocation stipend.

How to Apply

Down Home NC is committed to creating a dynamic, multicultural, diverse working environment. Candidates of color and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Down Home NC is an equal
opportunity employer. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If this job description is posted on Down Home’s website (www.downhomenc.org), we are still accepting applications.

Please send a resume and a short cover letter that includes your experience to: [email protected]