Role Summary

Organizers lead Golden State Opportunity’s (GSO) community-based organizing and on-the-ground campaign work in their respective regions. They are responsible for building grassroots, institutional, and greentops network of committed partners to eliminate poverty. They advance GSO’s CalEITC+ program, growing awareness of tax credits for low-income working families, connecting the public with free tax preparation services in their community, and building awareness of ITIN benefits and services. They serve as a leader on programmatic and advocacy campaign outreach, community engagement, and represent GSO at events and meetings. Organizers also create an essential feedback loop with GSO’s Communications, Advocacy, and Program staff.

Supervision

Reports to: Organizing Manager

Job Functions

  • Identify, engage, train, and develop community leaders, activists, and volunteers in the principles and practices of community organizing to build awareness of GSO’s programs and powerful constituency committed to social change through programmatic reach and community-based advocacy efforts.
  • Develop and manage relationships with a broad base of constituents from targeted neighborhoods (including faith-based institutions, public officials, local government agencies, social service agencies, community leaders) to build their awareness of CalEITC and other relevant tax credits, free tax preparation, and ITIN services and other relevant programs/services and strengthen commitment to social change to end poverty.
  • Engage with community members to understand their needs, interests, and concerns regarding the CalEITC+ program.
  • Spend at least 10 hours a week in the field, conducting outreach, identifying potential partners, and cultivating relationships to generate new contacts and members.
  • Serve as a representative of GSO, presenting the organization’s programs and policy positions in a clear and persuasive manner with partners and allied organizations in the community and at conferences, conventions, meetings, and other events.
  • With approval from leadership, work with local media and act as GSO spokesperson.
  • Build the community network by recruiting, training, and managing Fellows and volunteers in a structured mentorship program to support community engagement initiatives and events.
  • Expand and strengthen GSO’s network of aligned organizations, individuals, and partners to enhance effectiveness of campaigns and increase reach and capacity of the organization.
  • Provide mentorship, support, and partnership to community-based organizations in GSO’s granting programming who are working to grow their programmatic and organizing efforts and presence.
  • Coordinate and participate in GSO presence in community events, public meetings, and media appearances to raise awareness of GSO and its campaigns.
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute large public events and meetings to advance programmatic, civic engagement, and advocacy campaigns, such as GSO’s Tacos & Taxes events.
  • Collaborate with GSO leadership to and regional partners to develop and implement strategic goals for outreach, advocacy and community engagement.
  • Conduct environmental scans and community needs assessments to identify gaps in service and new opportunities for outreach and advocacy.
  • Design and lead regional organizing plans that align with GSO’s broader mission to eliminate poverty and increase awareness of tax credits and ITIN services.
  • As GSO’s database of key coalition and network contacts grows, they will regularly input new contacts, field interactions, and partner organizations into the database.
  • Submit regular reports detailing interactions with periodic data review meetings to adjust strategies.
  • Engage in ongoing training to enhance cultural competency, ensuring that organizing efforts are respectful, inclusive, and effective across a diverse range of communities and contexts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Strong knowledge and experience with two years/cycles (paid or volunteer) of developing and implementing field strategies; deep understanding of grassroots and grasstops organizing.
  • Exceptional people skills and team player; exemplifies a work style that is flexible, respectful, collaborative and nimble.
  • Written and oral communication skills to convey complex tax and financial programs and policy positions in simple terms and prepare documents and presentations.
  • Demonstrated experience in building trust, confidence, deep relationships and followership of diverse range of staff, volunteers, field partners across race, gender, class, language, geography, sexual orientation, and other group identities.
  • Demonstrated ability to implement field plans, track/monitor/assess progress, troubleshoot and adapt as needed.
  • Proven ability to tackle problems with actionable plans, generate smart, innovative approaches, not afraid to think outside of the box.
  • Track record of meeting or exceeding organizing goals.
  • Strategic and analytical thinking skills with ability to pivot from big picture to detailed implementation.
  • Experience organizing in low-income communities, communities of color and/or building low-income or multiracial organizing efforts,
  • Knowledge and familiarity with equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging principles; proactively prioritizes these principles in one’s work and approach to relationship building.
  • Demonstrated commitment to dismantling systems rooted in oppression and discrimination; solid human rights knowledge base.
  • Strong knowledge of the California policy making process and state and local governmental systems.
  • Resourceful, diplomatic, team-oriented, accountable, and sensitive to the needs of our partners and staff.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment and independently, with internal and external stakeholders, in large coalitions, and with diverse staff, community partners, activists, and public officials.
  • Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and optimism.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance a large portfolio of work; ability to manage one’s time independently and respect agreements, especially around due dates, timeliness, communications, and strategy.
  • Strong proficiency with PC and Mac operating systems and G-Suite and Google Workplace as well as Microsoft Office 360 applications.
  • Essential functions and duties require being able to communicate, see, and follow reasonable ergonomic recommendations and/or assistive devices to communicate and/or computer for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Ability to work from the field regularly and travel to locations across the state as needed, approximately 15-20% of time.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle (driving to in person outreach and meeting locations is required).
  • Ability to work overtime, holidays, weekends, and evenings as necessary to meet organizing goals and needs of communities and events.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Language skills sufficient to conduct business and community-based conversations in a language other than English; strong preference for Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Russian or Hmong.
  • Expertise and/or lived experience with low-income communities and their needs, earned income and young child tax credits and policy, and/or economic justice.
  • Demonstrated interest in contributing to working to end the systems and conditions that create poverty in the U.S.
  • Strong database skills, specifically Salesforce.

Location

We are seeking someone located in and well versed with the Riverside and surrounding communities. Strong preference for applicants in Riverside, Norco or other areas that can easily access a wide geographic area and travel to other Southern California counties as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits package includes employer sponsored medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your family, a 401k, unlimited PTO, nine days of sick time, and 20 paid holidays a year. Salary ranges for Organizers is $65,000-75,000.

Selection Process

Please submit your resume no later than December 2, 2024 to jobs@goldenstateopportunity.org for consideration. If you have any questions about the position or our process, please reach out to Lindsay Cooper Martin at
lindsay@goldenstateopportunity.org or (916) 234-0231.

 

Golden State Opportunity is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please contact Lindsay Cooper Martin at lindsay@goldenstateopportunity.org or ‪(916) 234-0231‬. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation during the interview process.

Golden State Opportunity advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to all as part of a work environment free from discrimination. We encourage and welcome applicants who will work to further this commitment and add to the diversity of our organization on multiple dimensions including race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, exercising the right to family care and medical leave, genetic information, marital status, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, political affiliation, or arrest or conviction record.

Offers of employment for this role will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of the background check prior to the start date. Any negative findings will be assessed based upon the potential risks and liabilities related to the job’s functions above.