Position Title: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZER
BASIC FUNCTION:
Development and implementation of community organizing campaigns on topics including but
not limited to: racial justice, community integration, transit and other disability issues. Base
building and recruitment of grassroots leaders of all ages to build Access Living’s capacity for
advocacy mobilization through Power to the People coalition (PTP).
DUTIES:
Campaign Development: In coordination with manager and fellow organizers, design
and coordinate advocacy/organizing campaigns for systems change and reform at the
local, state and Federal levels which support Access Living’s mission and strategic goals;
Base Building: Recruit new grassroots leaders for PTP through any combination of the
following: social media, tabling at community events, phone banking, canvassing, one-
on-ones, house meetings, presentations at/referrals from AL independent living services,
Training and Leadership Development: Provide grassroots leaders in the disability
community with leadership development and organizing training; Train people with
disabilities on advocacy, legislative processes, and direct action,
Coalition Building: Increase PTP’s political power by building and cultivating
relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, and government agencies
to create broad coalitional support for disability rights issues,
Internal Collaboration: Coordinate with Access Living legal and direct services staff as
needed, and to recruit members for PTP from those clients assisted,
Policy Work: Provide support to the Manager of Organizing and Policy in monitoring
campaign-relevant policy and legislation at local, state and Federal levels; coordinating
public and written testimony and comments on proposed legislation and policy/rule
changes; and promoting new policies and policy reform efforts to further the disability
movement.
Community Education/Outreach: Conduct popular education efforts around disability
and racial justice and specific policy and legislation, including through the use of media;
Provide internal and external workshops as needed
Miscellaneous Duties: Conduct written quarterly project activities reports; Ensure
compliance with grant requirements through regular data entry; act as a spokesperson for
Access Living on campaign-specific issues as assigned; and execute any other duties as
assigned.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Bachelor’s degree or applicable life/work experience. Good communication skills, both for
public presentations and written reports. A writing sample may be required. Proficiency in
Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook.
EXPERIENCE:
Extensive experience (3-5 years as paid staff or key strategic leader) in community organizing
strongly preferred. Knowledge of racial justice issues, disability issues, and/or independent
living philosophy is strongly preferred. Understanding of social media is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to travel extensively and independently within the City of Chicago, as well as
occasional travel outside of Chicago.
If interested, please send a cover letter and resumé to:
rmata@accessliving.org
No phone calls, please.
