Job Title: Organizing Coordinator
Reporting to: Organizing Director
Background:
Founded in 1982, the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center (MSPJC) is a membership-based organization dedicated to organizing, strategizing and acting to educate and train new community leaders to drive campaigns of their own for racial, economic, environmental and social justice. We work to build the capacity of disenfranchised communities to organize movements that shift power and dismantle oppression
The Youth Organizer is responsible for coordinating various aspects of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center’s Juvenile Justice Project (JJP), with the goal of reducing youth recidivism in the Hickory Hill & Bartlett areas by eliminating barriers to young people completing their court ordered community service. This includes direct outreach and engagement to Identify, recruit and retain Churches, Community Organizations, Schools, Community Centers, etc as partners that will act as service sites for young people with with unserved court ordered community service hours. The Youth Organizer is also responsible for coordinating multiple conferences with workshop opportunities for both project partners and youth that will engage participants in education around topics like developing community organizing skills. This is a full time salaried position, 40 hours a week. Applicants must be competent in basic computer and communication skills. Knowledge of Excel, Word, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, and prior experience in community organizing is a plus. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. The position reports directly to the Organizing Director.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Identify, recruit, & retain Service Site Partners for the JJP that will provide meaningful service opportunities for young people.
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Develop promotional materials for JJP.
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Regularly attend community events relevant to the constituency of the JJP as a means of networking and recruiting new partners.
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Provide regular updates about the progress of the JJP through social media bulletins and e-mail newsletters.
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Set up meetings to explain methods and goals of the JJP to potential Service Site Partners (Churches, Community orgs, etc).
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Assist Service Site Partners in developing ideas, concepts for “outside the box” community service projects.
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Generate database of Service Site Partners with all relevant contact info and service descriptions.
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Map Service Site Partners as a means of aiding Juvenile Court in placing young people with recruited Service Site Partners in proximity to their home addresses to eliminate mobility barriers.
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Coordinate and organize conference events to connect service partners and young people to community resources, and engage participants in community organizing workshops, as well as brainstorming sessions on alternative, neighborhood based community service projects.
GENERAL STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Minimum Qualifications:
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All candidates must have a “can do” attitude, enjoy a fast-paced environment, be highly organized without losing sight of larger objectives, and be committed to justice and equality for all people across issues,identities, and communities.
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Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal skills, including public speaking;
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Demonstrated ability to forge productive and healthy collaborations;
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Understanding and enjoyment of multifaceted advocacy that combines legislative strategy, grassroots organizing, media relations, policy analysis and coalition-building activities;
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Ability to think “big picture” as well as to translate ideas into realistic, actionable plans;
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Commitment and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical ability, family status and other characteristics is an important and practiced value;
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Able to handle and appropriately prioritize multiple tasks in a timely and efficiently manner;
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Keen analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to take initiative;
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Ability to collaborate on projects with staff from other departments, and a high level of personal investment in contributing to the priorities of the organization as a whole;
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Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as projects demand it;
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Experience developing and managing work plans as well as training, supervising, and developing interns and volunteers is preferred;
Demonstrated experience with local issues in Memphis is strongly preferred, specifically any experience with the criminal justice system and law enforcement is desirable.
Salary and Benefits:
Annual salary of $32,500 depending on experience for full time employment. Includes benefits including health care stipend,vacation, and sick leave.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, and transgender people are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Please forward via email a letter of interest, resume, and three references to Brad Watkins at (Brad@midsouthpeace.org).
Please include “Organizing Coordinator Position” in the subject line. Deadline: May 26th 2017, or until filled.