Start Date: February/March 2010
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2010
Announcement Date: December 15, 2009

Border Action Network is looking for an experienced organizer to lead our organizing campaigns and leadership development programs. We are looking for a dedicated, passionate, experienced person who is looking to learn and grow as an organizer and leader, and who is looking for the opportunity to work in a growing organization of local, statewide and national prominence doing cutting edge community organizing within immigrant and US-Mexico border communities in Arizona. Our campaigns include: fighting anti-immigrant state legislation, promoting accountability and oversight in US-Mexico border policy, building support and civic participation for immigration reform, challenging violence and vigilantism on the border, and building the capacity of immigrant and border communities to insert their voices in local, state and national policy debates. 



Who we are: Border Action Network is an immigrant and border community-led membership organization that works throughout Arizona, including the Arizona-Sonora border. Border Action is organizing to build a strong base of low-income immigrant and border communities who have the tools, knowledge and relationships necessary to insert their voices, dreams, and demands into local, state and national issues that affect their daily lives. As a human rights community organization, we have prioritized issues that urgently impact immigrant families. However, our long-term vision for human rights includes not only immigration reform, but also health care, housing, education, workers rights and a clean environment.

Responsibilities of the Organizing Director include:

Leadership Development.
o    Lead a three person training team for the Human Rights Organizing Institute (HROI) –a 40+ hour training for volunteer Human Rights Promoters
o    Lead and coordinate twice yearly Committee Leadership retreats to strengthen the small-group leadership skills and practice of Border Action’s Human Rights Committee’s elected leaders
o    Develop new curriculum and train trainers, as the need and opportunity arises

Lead Organizer.
o    Supervise and support the Organizing Coordinator and three volunteer Regional Coordinators
o    Build trust and rapport with low-income immigrant and border communities in Arizona.
o    Identify and support short-term, winnable local campaigns that can build and strengthen individual and regional Human Rights Committees throughout the state
o    Work closely with policy, communications, and development staff and the executive director to develop integrated plans, strategies and tactics
o    Develop Spanish-language organizing materials
o    Recruit new members and support others’ membership recruitment and renewal efforts
o    Develop and monitor annual and strategic organizing goals
o    Identify opportunities, needs, emerging issues and trends within the communities
o    Identify new strategic geographic areas and help “map” community resources
o    Maintain and manage members’ information in the database
o    Oversee monthly regional committee meetings in regions around the state

Coordinating Events.
o    Coordinate and oversee organizing events including leadership retreats, marches and vigils, rallies, graduation ceremonies, annual membership dinners, and others.

Other Responsibilities
o    Occasional public speaking
o    Build relationships with allies, other agencies, local officials, law enforcement, faith, labor, business and others as needed
o    Promote organizational goals and values in various external activities
o    Participate in membership meetings, staff meetings, and community building events
o    Participate in coalitions, networks, and collaborations that forward Border Action’s work as needed
o    Participate in planned individual, staff, and organizational evaluation activities
o    Assist in office management tasks

Qualifications:
o    Bilingual and bi-cultural (Spanish-English)
o    Able to work frequent weekends and evenings and travel throughout the state
o    4 or more years of strong community or labor organizing experience, preferably with low-income communities and women, with a demonstrated capacity to effectively carry out the above responsibilities 

o    3 or more years of strong experience supervising and training community or labor organizers
o    Demonstrated experience with political education and organizing skills training curriculum development and excellent workshop facilitation skills based in principles of popular education
o    Experience with member-led grassroots fundraising models
o    Familiarity and direct experience with Border Action’s constituency
o    Supervision experience with organizers and member leaders based in principles of support and accountability
o    Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work and manage multiple tasks in both an independent and collaborative team setting 
o    Good verbal and written communication skills
o    Excellent computer literacy in either PC or Mac platforms
o    Reliable transportation and a valid drivers license

This position is a full-time salaried position with full medical/dental benefits and generous paid vacation. A competitive, professional salary is dependent on experience. The general work schedule varies depending on the activities of the organization. Due to the salaried nature of the position, the employee should expect to work more than 40 hours periodically as well as working some weekends. The Organizing Director reports to the Executive Director. 

To Apply by the January 31, 2010 Deadline:
Send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. all of the following: 1) cover letter explaining why you are interested in this specific position; 2) resume; and 3) three professional and one personal references that include phone numbers and emails. Write “Organizing Director” in the subject line.

For more information on Border Action Network please visit www.borderaction.org

Top