Community Organizer

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc; Kentucky; On-site; USD 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual leave

Sick leave

Supplemental language compensation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is seeking a Community Organizer to lead community-led advocacy and power-building within its HCED Practice Group.

The role focuses on grassroots relationship-building, organizing campaigns, and translating residents' priorities into legal and policy action in Ohio communities. Based in Ohio with significant travel, the organizer supports tenant rights, housing stability, and economic justice, working with ABLE's lawyers and community partners to

Qualifications

• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel as required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Computer skills to support communication and organizing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and coordinate grassroots relationships to ensure community-led work.
• Identify, mobilize, and support community members affected by poverty and housing instability in West Dayton neighborhoods.
• Partner with community leaders to develop campaign plans with clear goals and measurement.
• Plan and carry out organizing activities including days of action, trainings, and community meetings.
• Communicate effectively with community members, tenant groups, and allied organizations through various channels.

Skills

Transportation

Driver's license

Communication skills

Organization skills

Computer literacy

Job description

Community Organizer

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Job Summary

ABLE seeks a Community Organizer to help ensure that our legal advocacy is community-led, responsive, and power-building. Working primarily with the Housing and Community Economic Development (HCED) Practice Group, the Community Organizer will build authentic grassroots relationships, support community-driven campaigns, and connect residents' priorities with ABLE's legal and policy strategies. The HCED Practice Group uses a community lawyering model to advance safe, healthy, and affordable housing and economically vibrant neighborhoods, particularly in communities that have experienced decades of disinvestment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned)

• Build, maintain, and coordinate authentic grassroots relationships so that ABLE's legal work is community-led and builds power in local communities.
• Identify, mobilize, and support community members impacted by poverty, housing instability, disinvestment, and economic injustice in West Dayton neighborhoods.
• Partner with community leaders to develop campaign plans with clear goals and work with community members and ABLE staff to measure results.
• Plan and carry out organizing activities, including days of action, training, public hearings, community meetings, and related events.
• Communicate effectively with community members, tenant groups, neighborhood leaders, and allied organizations through one-on-one meetings, group meetings, phone calls, email, and digital organizing.
• Gather and synthesize community input for ABLE legal staff and help communicate legal strategies and available legal support to community members.
• Support community-driven advocacy related to tenant rights, eviction defense, housing preservation, neighborhood stabilization, racial justice, community wealth building, food equity, environmental justice, and related HCED priorities.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and training events in and outside the Dayton area.
• Comply with ABLE's policies and procedures and the requirements of ABLE's funding sources.

SCOPE & IMPACT

This position connects community members with ABLE's multidisciplinary legal teams. Through relationship-building and community-centered organizing, the Community Organizer helps residents identify shared priorities, develop collective strategies, and shape advocacy that protects housing rights and supports healthy, stable, and economically vibrant communities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Reliable transportation and the ability and willingness to travel; a valid driver’s license and ability to meet ABLE’s insurance requirements.
• Ability and willingness to work occasionally in the evening and weekends as community activities require.
• Computer proficiency and the ability to use digital tools to support communication and organizing.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience in community organizing, movement building, coalition building, tenant organizing, or community-based advocacy.
• Experience working with communities impacted by poverty, housing instability, economic injustice, or neighborhood disinvestment.
• Familiarity with community lawyering, housing justice, community economic development, or related advocacy strategies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in office and community settings and requires frequent local travel. Some evening and weekend work is required.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $27.80 per hour. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, and paid parental leave. This position is based in Toledo, Lime or Dayton, Ohio, and requires significant travel to community outreach activities.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at [e-mail].