Position Description
The Community Organizer will have four main responsibilities: a) ensure widespread community engagement in, and support for, the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) Quality of Life Plan; b) develop leadership of each Austin Quality-of-Life Plan Task Force and assist these leaders to mobilize their task forces to take action, which includes convening regular one-to-one and group meetings; c) provide technical assistance and support for the creation and execution of Action Plans and Project Plans d) build the ACT network’s collective power to begin organizing for policy change.
Full description and application are available here.
Organization Description
Austin Coming Together is the backbone support organization for a broad network of private, public, and non-profit organizations that share a vision for a thriving Austin community. Our mission is to increase the collective impact of our member organizations on education and economic development outcomes in the Austin community of Chicago. ACT and our members have created a long-term strategy called “Thrive 2025,” a blueprint for collective impact over 10 years. Thrive 2025 outlines 4 impact areas that our members collaborate around: Quality Early Learning, Living Wage Careers, Safe Neighborhoods, and a Stable Housing Market. ACT’s role is to build shared leadership in each impact area, facilitate strategic and collaborative action to achieve common goals, develop systems of mutual accountability and support, and create opportunities to engage the community together. Our work is driven by our core values of unity, commitment, transparency, collaboration, and action.
Initiative Description
ACT works to achieve its Thrive 2025 goals through three strategic imperatives: Service Delivery Enhancement, Planning & Investment, and Policy. Austin Coming Together builds collective power and facilitates collaborative action in Austin with those three strategic imperatives in mind, more specifically: 1) improving the quality and coordination of service delivery, 2) creating plans to attract public and private investment, and 3) and organizing for policy change.
Responsibilities
In order to carry out this role effectively, the Community Organizer must deliver a clear and consistent message about the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) Quality of Life Plan, maintain up-to-date knowledge of our partner organization’s programs and services, be able to communicate and establish rapport with a diverse range of residents and stakeholders, and be able to leverage relationships and networks to increase involvement with Plan efforts throughout the Austin community. Additionally, special emphasis is put on developing relationships and providing support for ACT initiatives and projects. Core responsibilities include:
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with Austin community stakeholders; engaging AFT Leadership, residents, key staff members of organizations, and elected officials in regular one-to-one conversations and community meetings
- Assist AFT Leadership to create/execute Action Plans, Project Plans and Budget Plans; convening and mobilizing Task Force Chairs, Strategy Leads, and other community stakeholders to address the Issue Areas within the Austin Quality-of-Life Plan
- Ensure the successful coordination of community and partner-led projects that supports the AFT plan’s vision and goals; developing and brokering deals to support AFT Leadership and other community stakeholders in progressing projects and activities to completion
- Maintain strong relationships with AFT Leadership and support their efforts to mobilize and implement the Austin Forward. Together; convening on a monthly basis with each of these leaders (in person and over the phone), assisting them with mobilizing their Task Force Strategy Leads, as well as in prepping, executing, and evaluating meetings and actions
- Work across the Planning and Investment team and, more specifically, with the Project Coordinator/Specialist to provide technical support to Task Force Chairs and Strategy Leads that help them create and progress through Action Plans and Project Plans; includes, but is not limited to, one-to-one engagement of Implementation Partners, providing organizer trainings, power analysis, and/or facilitation training to task force members when necessary, and providing administrative assistance for communicating about meetings and actions
- Act as a liaison between ACT and external partners at all levels on special events, projects, and initiatives of Austin Coming Together per the Austin Forward Together plan (i.e., Austin Eats, ASPIRE, Austin Workforce Collaborative, Central Ave. Plan, MMRP, etc.) on an as needed basis
- In coordination with the Planning and Investment team, participate in quarterly planning sessions and other professional development activities to inform work
Qualifications
- A clear track record of successful community organizing experience
- Must have 2-3 years experience in community organizing, community development, outreach, urban planning and policy, or other relevant field
- Bachelor’s degree in sociology, political science, urban studies, public administration or related field and 2-3 years of relevant work experience (preferred)
- A familiarity with the Austin community and the issues its residents face; experience working in Westside neighborhoods of Chicago, Austin community preferred
- Demonstrated ability and commitment to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders around an issue including CBOs, government agencies, business owners and community residents
- Experience working in or managing network and community-wide programs and initiatives
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain strong relationships in the community
- Ability to work flexible hours
- Competency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Business Suite
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team
- Strong attention to detail, a willingness and ability to use data management tools, the ability to use email marketing and social media tools, and a high level of self-motivation
- Strong commitment to ACT’s mission, vision and values
- Knowledge of the restorative justice framework and experience integrating the framework into outcomes
Skills preferred, but not required:
- Data and Database Management
- Budget Planning and Management
- Salesforce / SharePoint
- Survey Design and Analysis
- WordPress
- MailChimp / Email Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Social Media
- Bilingual
Hours and Compensation
This is a full-time permanent position that may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule which could include up to 2 days per week of remote work. The Community Organizer is expected to work evenings and weekends when necessary. Salary is commensurate with experience and ranges between $40,000-$50,000 plus benefits for the Community Organizer. The Project Coordinator reports directly to the Planning & Investment Manager.