Regional Organizer (Youth Organizer)

Rhizome; United States; Remote; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a Regional Organizer, where you'll empower youth to engage in civic action and community organizing. This role offers flexibility, allowing you to work virtually while leading initiatives that foster civic engagement among high school students. You'll manage Community Organizers, develop leadership skills, and contribute to building a nationwide youth-led civic infrastructure. If you're passionate about social justice and community building, this is the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people across the nation.

Qualifications

• At least two years of experience in community organizing or campaign development.
• Strong communication skills for engaging diverse youth audiences.

Responsibilities

• Manage 2-3 Community Organizers and lead Chapters of the Civic Service Fellowship.
• Support teams of Civic Service Fellows in community actions.

Skills

Community organizing

Campaign development

Volunteer mobilization

Youth engagement

Leadership skills

Excellent communication

Strategic planning

Facilitation experience

Digital tools proficiency

Understanding of social justice

Job description

Regional Organizer Job Description (Apply by June 16)

Note: We are hiring many Regional Organizers (ROs) nationally, including in Washington State!

Purpose: Our core purpose is to build collective power for young people to create a safer, happier, and healthier world. We organize and increase civic engagement.

Rhizome Overview: Rhizome is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit co-founded by 90 young people in 2021. We come from diverse backgrounds but share a common goal to build a country that lives up to its values. More about our origins and impact can be found on our website.

Our flagship program is the Civic Service Fellowship, a leadership development program for high school students who learn to organize and increase civic engagement. Local Fellowship Chapters are led by paid Youth Organizers supporting teams of Fellows. Next school year, we’ll likely have 72-96 Youth Organizers supporting teams of Fellows to organize, increase civic engagement, and lead local actions across hundreds of high schools.

Problem ID: Anti-democratic practices hinder young people from building collective power. We oppose cynicism, authoritarianism, and social isolation, and support civic participation, democracy, and community. Social isolation is the opposite of collective power, especially amid rising mental health and democratic challenges.

This Role: Regional Organizers work up to 10 hours/week as W2 employees, managing 2-3 Community Organizers (COs) and leading Chapters of the Civic Service Fellowship. COs recruit, onboard, and support teams of Civic Service Fellows who lead community actions. Successful Regional Organizers will be creative, organized, and impact-focused. They earn $25/hour and submit weekly Action Reports. This role is virtual and open nationwide.

Qualifications: Candidates should have at least two years of experience and demonstrate:

• Community organizing, campaign development, or volunteer mobilization experience
• Youth engagement experience working with high-school aged and older youth
• Leadership and team management skills
• Excellent communication skills for diverse youth audiences
• Strategic planning and implementation ability
• Facilitation and training experience
• Understanding of social justice and intersectional principles
• Proficiency with digital tools for organizing and outreach
• Alignment with Rhizome’s mission and values

Our Ideal Candidates:

• Experience managing teams in community organizing or campaigns
• Experience supporting or developing chapters or affiliates
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Relationship-building skills across diverse backgrounds
• Self-motivation and proactivity
• Cultural competence and humility
• Remote work experience

Application Process: Review the timeline and apply accordingly. Rhizome is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants.

Hiring Timeline: Offers by mid-July, with onboarding in late August. Stages include:

• June 17-24: Candidate contact for screeners
• June 24-July 10: Screeners and interviews
• July 11-24: Offers extended

Civic Service Fellowship: Fellows participate in weekly meetings to learn community organizing principles, shape identities, and lead actions on issues like wildfire prevention, democracy education, eco-friendly campuses, gun violence prevention, mutual aid, etc. We also develop storytelling systems to amplify Fellows’ voices.

Mission: To activate youth identities into civic action and foster lifelong civic service.

Vision: To create a nationwide youth-led civic infrastructure, inspiring youth to take action within supportive communities and experience healthy civic engagement.

Organizer Norms and Core Values:

• Build a learning and growth space
• Believe in the work’s potential
• Prioritize happiness and wellbeing
• Give credit generously
• Center people over metrics
• Learn from successes and failures

Leadership Team Core Values:

• Proximate decision-making
• Connectedness
• Community care
• Wu Wei (rest and contemplative action)
• Disagree and commit
• Relentless youth power focus

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Other

Industries

• Civic and Social Organizations