Community Organizer

The Planetary Society; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

12 holidays + 2 Floating Holidays, PTO

Group Term Life insurance

Long-term and short-term disability

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Job summary

The Planetary Society is seeking a Community Organizer in Washington, D.C. to build and scale a nationwide grassroots advocacy network for space science. This is a full-time role within our Space Policy and Advocacy team, with 9–5 Eastern hours and some evenings or weekends for key campaigns.

Responsibilities span local organizing, volunteer recruitment, and digital advocacy. The role emphasizes relationship-based mobilization, travel within the D.C.

Qualifications

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• 2+ years hands-on organizing in grassroots mobilization on a campaign or similar field in the last 3 years.
• Track record running petition campaigns and grassroots mobilization from start to turnout.
• Strength in relational organizing and ability to develop leaders from volunteers.
• Up-to-date knowledge of organizing practices and digital advocacy tools (VoterVoice, FiscalNote or similar).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for action alerts, emails, and materials.
• Ability to work independently across a distributed national network.
• Interest in space science and exploration (not required but a plus).
• Work schedule: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern with occasional evenings/weekends.
• Travel: travel around the Washington, D.C. area with occasional travel.
• Location: Based full-time in Washington, D.C. at our headquarters.
• Commitment to The Planetary Society's core values: passion, credibility, optimism, integrity, and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Local Organizing and Days of Action: develop and execute a strategy to mobilize supporters across the U.S. and support advocates visiting district offices and events.
• Community Engagement and Network Growth: recruit volunteers, tabling at local events, and grow the advocacy network.
• Digital Advocacy and Rapid Response: manage calls to action, online center, and timely campaigns with clear messaging.
• General Support: staff events from our Washington, D.C. office and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Relational organizing

Campaign mobilization

Digital advocacy tools

Tools

VoterVoice

FiscalNote

Job description

The Planetary Society is the world's largest and most influential space interest organization. We are seeking an energetic, relationship-driven Community Organizer to help turn our community of space enthusiasts into a powerful, nationwide network of advocates for space science.

Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman and today led by CEO Jennifer Vaughn, The Planetary Society empowers the public to take a meaningful role in advancing space exploration through advocacy, education, outreach, scientific innovation, and global collaboration. Our members, from new space fans to longtime enthusiasts, fuel our core enterprises: exploring other worlds, searching for life beyond Earth, and defending our planet from asteroids and comets.

As part of our Space Policy and Advocacy team, the Community Organizer will establish and scale the Society's grassroots advocacy program. This position is currently funded for 12 months, with extension subject to continued external funding.

Essential Position Responsibilities

Local Organizing and Days of Action - 40%

Develop and carry out a strategy for local organizing by:

• Building out the infrastructure our advocacy network needs to mobilize supporters across the U.S.;
• Supporting advocacy activities on Days of Action, providing resources, training, and general support for advocates visiting district offices, attending rallies, and organizing events in their own communities;
• Operationalizing a strategy to mobilize supporters across the country so local activity is consistent, supported, and repeatable.

Community Engagement and Network Growth - 35%

• Build a community engagement plan that reaches beyond space enthusiasts who already self-select into advocacy.
• Recruit and equip volunteers to represent The Planetary Society in their communities, such as tabling at local events.
• Sustain and grow our network of space advocates so supporters stay engaged between campaigns.

Digital Advocacy and Rapid Response - 15%

Serve as the primary team member responsible for the following:

• Support the Society's calls to action and online action center, keeping campaigns timely, clear, and easy to act on.
• Plan and run letter-writing campaigns to Congress and other decision-makers.
• Stay in regular communication with our professional community and supporter network about opportunities to advocate.
• Launch groundswell actions that activate and grow our advocacy network based on decades of support for the scientific exploration of space.

General Support - 10%

• Work primarily out of our Washington, D.C. office to help staff events and support regular operations.
• Support the Programs department by performing other duties as required.
• Participate in Space Policy and Advocacy team meetings and Programs department-wide meetings.

Qualifications, skills, education, and experience

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• Recent, hands-on organizing experience: 2+ years working in a senior grassroots mobilization role on a campaign or in a similar field role within the last 3 years.
• A track record running petition campaigns and grassroots mobilization, from first ask to turnout.
• Strength in relational organizing, with the ability to build networks through one-on-one relationships and help volunteers become leaders.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current organizing practices and digital advocacy tools, including VoterVoice, FiscalNote, or a comparable platform (or comfort learning one).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clear, motivating action alerts, emails, and volunteer materials.
• Ability to work independently across a distributed national network.
• Interest in space science and exploration. A background in science or space is not required, but is a plus.
• Work schedule: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, with occasional evening and weekend work around Days of Action, events, and key campaign moments.
• Travel: Travel around the Washington, D.C. area as needed, with occasional travel
• Location: Based full-time in Washington, D.C. at our headquarters
• A commitment to The Planetary Society's core values: passion, credibility, optimism, integrity, and effectiveness.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to communicate in writing.
• Must be able to perform tasks from a computer for the majority of work hours.

Compensation

We offer a fun, supportive work environment, and many of us consider this to be our dream job. We work hard and are passionate about our organization while respecting and protecting our personal time.

• Salary range: $85,000 to $95,000 annually, based on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• 12 holidays + 2 Floating Holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Group Term Life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

The Planetary Society is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity at all levels of our work. Job applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Planetary Society will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with California’s Fair Chance Act.