THE ROLE:
NextGen America is seeking passionate and hardworking candidates to join our youth organizing program in Michigan, working to engage young people in electoral politics by registering thousands of young people to vote across the state. NextGen is committed to engaging young people in Michigan in the political process and increasing participation among 18-35 year olds. This role will be focused on organizing in one of several regions in Michigan as part of this ambitious effort.
In Michigan, this effort will focus on organizing young people on campuses and the surrounding communities to bring progressive change to government through voting. Our work will engage young people in voter registration efforts, volunteer recruitment, and pledging young people to vote. Organizers need to be comfortable and confident in: mobilizing their own community, growing their network to include new volunteers to train, and motivating community leaders to help register and mobilize their own networks. Organizers are directly responsible for managing a team of volunteers in their region to hit weekly and phase metric goals.
This role will be based in East Lansing and reports to the Organizing Director in Michigan.
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Remote Position: No
Union Position: Yes
Travel Requirements: 20-25% outside of assigned turf
End Date: 11/15/2024
WHAT YOU’LL ACHIEVE:
Recruit and train organizers to organize effectively and efficiently on their campuses and in their communities
In-person organizing, including voter and community engagement at voter homes, businesses, campuses and NextGen-sponsored events
Manage organizers to hit their goals
Recruit and manage volunteers as necessary
Promote and execute events worthy of press and media
Develop relationships and partnerships with local community, student groups, and campus administrations in order to hit goals
Execute campaign plans and effective organizing tactics including traditional grassroots voter contact, creative earned media actions, digital organizing tactics, event planning and turnout
Meet all data and field reporting deadlines
Perform other dues as assigned
REQUIRED SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY:
This role has a structured schedule as defined in the collective bargaining agreement between represented field staff and NextGen. As with most jobs in field organizing, the schedule for this role will fluctuate based on the time of year. This position is a full time exempt position and the hours here are general expectations for what the time requirement will be to effectively complete your responsibilities. Applicants must have the willingness and ability to work the following schedule:
A work schedule consisting of approximately 8-10 hours per day, 5 days per week
General availability to work weekends and irregular hours
A high capacity work schedule during designated events (For example: campus welcome weeks, the weeks leading up to voter registration deadlines) consisting of approximately 10-12 hours per day, 6 days per week
A work schedule consisting of up to 12 hours per day, 7 days per week for the 14 days leading up to the General Election (on even years only)
ABOUT YOU:
Experience organizing and managing organizer and volunteers
Driven with a strong work ethic
Weekend and irregular work hours required
Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and manage several tasks simultaneously
Very well organized; excellent written, verbal and presentation communications skills
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues and outside organizations and multi-task without sacrificing quality of work
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Ability to foster a cooperative, team-oriented work environment
Experience working with VAN or Votebuilder
Experience with electoral organizing
Experience organizing in communities of color
Bonus points for:
Previous student, youth, or campus organizing experience
Experience with EveryAction
Prior training in anti-oppression, equity and inclusion organizing
SALARY INFORMATION:
Salary of $5,695.00/month plus a comprehensive benefits package. This salary is non-negotiable per Campaign Workers Guild (Union) and NextGen America’s collective bargaining agreement.
BENEFITS:
Our comprehensive benefits package plays an essential part in how we recognize you for your critical contribution toward our organization’s mission.
Taking Care of Your Future:
Medical, dental and vision insurance: 100% coverage for you and for your dependents
Short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance
401(k) plan - we’ll match 100% up to 4% of your salary
Setting You Up for Success:
$150 per month to use toward your cell phone and internet costs
$100 per month to use toward your personal health and wellness goals
Flexible spending account for dependent care
Prioritizing Your Work/Life Balance:
Generous PTO and leave policies
18 paid organization-wide holidays
ABOUT NEXTGEN AMERICA:
NextGen America is the leading national organization for engaging young people through voter education, registration and mobilization. We invite 18-to-35 year olds — the largest and most diverse generation in American history — into our democracy to ensure our government works for them and to find new solutions to the dire challenges facing our society and the world. Since 2013, NextGen America has registered more than 1.4 million young voters and educated many millions more.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We value and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as an organization--in theory and in practice, and our culture reflects that value and commitment. We are committed to furthering issues like climate change, health care, and immigration from a progressive perspective, and we seek to engage the public in these areas as well as others. We also recognize the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity within our political system and strive to make positive changes within our system as a result.