The Opportunity

Down Home North Carolina (DHNC) seeks a full-time, temporary Field Organizer to aid in our 2024 electoral field program in Ashe and Watauga Counties. This year Down Home North Carolina is planning the largest field program our organization has ever attempted. We plan to expand into multiple new counties from the mountains in the West to the coast out East in order to grow our movement of working class people. Down Home is working to engage voters in small towns and rural areas through base building, leadership development, and direct voter contact. We are committed to building a long term base of working-class power through both community organizing and elections work. 

The 2024 Field Team will be responsible for conducting a paid field operation in their respective turfs. The organizers will be tasked with building new relationships with community members and leaders, conducting paid canvasses, and gaining a fundamental understanding of our communities. The ultimate goal of these roles is to build a multiracial, working class base of supporters that will continue to organize in their communities long after the 2024 elections. 

The ideal candidate is a people-person who is highly motivated to build a powerful multiracial base that wins changes for poor and working-class people in rural North Carolina. 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. Previous experience as an organizer or a grassroots leader is preferred but not required.

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 (Waynesville) and oppose the expansion of local jails
• Growing a statewide membership base that includes all 100 counties of North Carolina
• Anchoring the first southern, rural deep canvass and race-class narrative tests
• Driving statewide coalitions to fight for a just COVID-19 recovery and for Medicaid expansion

Buckets of responsibility: 

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

• Recruit new members and volunteers into Down Home North Carolina
• Build relationships and conduct one to ones with community members and leaders 
• Introduce Down Home to new communities by holding special events, deep canvassing, and site canvassing
• A commitment to learning and understanding new communities 
• Identify and support local member-leaders to build and launch new chapters
• Create a collaborative, diverse team of working class members

2. Implement and lead Down Home’s 2024 Election Program 

• Recruit, train, and manage a team of local community members to launch a paid canvass
• Lead programing in alignment with statewide goals; adjusting programs as needed
• Ensure that key field metrics for volunteers, paid canvass shifts,  and voter contacts are met
• Recruit volunteers to complete various types of direct voter contact shifts
• Plan and successfully execute a series of election related events

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. 

Some irregular hours are required, including nights and weekends. Locations vary in North Carolina. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work.

Compensation

Compensation for this full-time, temporary staff position is equivalent to $61,698 to $72,916 annually and includes best-in-class health and we also offer a relocation stipend. Location is in or near Ashe and Watauga counties Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work. In person work will be required. This role is union eligible. This role will end in December 2024. 

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, with a priority for applications received by March 1, 2024. 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]