Electoral Justice Fellow

Working Families; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

The Working Families Party seeks a part-time Electoral Justice Fellow to train as an organizer and lead grassroots efforts in the Southeast. This four-month field program focuses on building power for working families through pro-democracy campaigns and direct voter contact.

Fellows work in communities, run trainings, recruit volunteers, plan canvasses, and support electoral campaigns while developing leadership and a strong network of organizers across the region.

Qualifications

• Deep ties to and residence in one of the priority states.
• Commitment to economic and social justice for working families.
• Willingness to learn, take initiative, and work collaboratively.
• Reliable access to a smartphone and computer with internet for virtual meetings and trainings.
• Comfort speaking with new people and facilitating group discussions.
• Prior experience in roles needing understanding of local and state politics.

Responsibilities

• Electoral and advocacy training program focusing on the electoral justice framework and WFP Power building model.
• Attend virtual and in-person regional training sessions.
• Conduct one-on-one conversations with community, advocacy and political leaders to build shared analysis and work towards collective electoral outcomes.
• Research and map local power structures and opportunities to connect issues affecting working families to elections.
• Recruit and bring together a local volunteer action team of 15-20 members.
• Plan and facilitate regular team meetings integrated into an action-oriented electoral plan.
• Support your team in protecting democracy and priority WFP campaigns.
• Host community meetings for individuals interested in running for office or taking action to protect democracy.
• Manage the ANCHOR and election protection work.
• Plan and execute weekly phone bank and reach events for the Southeast Region.
• Plan and manage a local WFP canvass event, including paid opportunities where applicable.
• Represent WFP at approved coalition tables in the state.
• Train and transition leadership of your volunteer team to a member-led committee.
• Document outcomes and celebrate your team’s wins.

Skills

Deep ties to priority states

Commitment to justice for working fam

Willingness to learn and collaborate

Smartphone and internet access

Comfort speaking with new people

Experience in local/state politics

Job description

About the Working Families Party

Working Families Party (WFP) is the progressive party for the multiracial working class, fighting for a nation that works for the many, not the few. We recruit, train, and support transformational candidates up and down the ballot - and run them to win.

We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, safe neighborhoods and a safe world. We want to be free.

The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across our differences to make a better future for us all. We are a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. We want an America which realizes the promise - unrealized in our history - of freedom and equality for all.

About the Fellowship

Are you passionate about building power for working families in your own community? Do you believe we can win elections with pro-democracy, working-class candidates in the South? Do you believe change happens when neighbors come together and take collective action to put democracy back in the hands of the people? The WFP Electoral Justice Fellowship is a 4 month, hands-on program designed to train the doers with the skills, strategy, and support to organize their communities and win elections.

This is not a desk job, it's a field program. As a fellow, you will understand how elections are won and execute direct voter contact campaigns for WFP candidates, serve as a WFP ambassador helping people understand the WFP northstar, learn and put to use essential base-building tools, and identify leaders to run for office. Rooted in the belief that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution, we seek applicants who are embedded in their communities and ready to grow as organizers and electoral justice leaders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Electoral and advocacy training program focusing on the electoral justice framework and WFP Power building model.
• Complete a core curriculum of organizing training by attending and participating in virtual and in-person regional training sessions.
• Conduct one-on-one relational conversations with community, advocacy and political leaders to build shared analysis and work towards collective electoral outcomes
• Research and map local power structures and opportunities to connect issues affecting working families to the upcoming election cycles
• Recruit and bring together a local volunteer action team of 15-20 members who are aligned and eager to be a part of the WFP
• Plan and facilitate regular team meetings that are inclusive, participatory, and integrated into an action-oriented electoral plan
• Support your team in supporting democracy defense and priority WFP electoral campaigns
• Host 1-2 community meetings for individuals interested in running for office and/or taking action to protect our democracy
• Manage the ANCHOR and election protection work
• Plan and execute weekly phone bank and reach events for the Southeast Region
• Plan and manage a local WFP canvass event, including paid opportunities, where applicable
• Represent WFP at approved coalition table in the state expanding WFP's reach and complimentary work in the ecosystem
• Train and transition leadership of your volunteer team to a member-led committee.
• Document outcomes and celebrate your team’s wins.
• Graduate into our alumni network of electoral organizers.

Skills and Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Deep ties to and residence in one of the listed priority states - this is a strict requirement.
• Commitment to economic and social justice for working families.
• Willingness to learn, take initiative, and work collaboratively.
• Reliable access to a smartphone and computer with internet for virtual meetings and trainings.
• Comfort speaking with new people and facilitating group discussions.
• Prior experience in a role that required deep understanding of the nuance and complexities of local and state politics.

Preferred Skills:

• Some experience in volunteering, advocacy, labor, faith, student, or community groups.
• Personal or family experience with issues facing working-class communities (wages, housing, healthcare, education, etc.).
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to your community.

$25.77 - $36.49 an hour

Salary & Compensation

The final hourly rate will be determined based on an internal equitable scale that takes into consideration years of experience, geographic location, and final job description. The upper end of the salary range is reserved for individuals who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications and years of experience.

Location and Travel

HYBRID NO OFFICE. You may work remotely, but you must be located in or near the city you organize within in order to attend in-person meetings and events approximately 3 days per week. You may need to travel for major events and all staff meetings a few times per year.

Schedule

The position is part-time. 20 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends for meetings and actions.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Short-term, temporary positions

WFP is a unionized workplace. This is a short-term, temporary position that is excluded from the bargaining unit. WFP union employees are represented by Workers United affiliated with SEIU and the affiliated Local 1115, Workers United.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of, employment visas at this time.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Working Families Party is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to economic and social justice. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to apply for or perform the essential functions of the job should contact us at [e-mail] with the subject line "Application Accommodation" to request such an accommodation.