[COMM-ORG] job: director, SOCM, Tennessee, with salary info

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From: cassie watters <cassiefw at gmail.com>


SOCM Executive Director Job Notice

Overview of the Organization

SOCM, founded in 1972 and initially rooted in coalfield counties in East 
Tennessee, has grown into a state-wide Tennessee organization with close 
to 2,500 members. The organization focuses on multi-issue community 
organizing and addresses issues of social, environmental, and economic 
justice. SOCM has a diverse constituency and is committed to racial 
justice. Grassroots membership-based and member run, SOCM chapters 
organize around local issues and work together through statewide 
committees on campaigns that address broader issues as well. Over the 
years SOCM members have organized successful campaigns to address 
mineral extraction, voting rights, toxics and solid waste, mineral 
taxation, temporary workers, forestry and aerial spraying issues, and 
other local and state wide issues in order to have a say in what affects 
their lives. In coalition SOCM has partnered with other groups working 
for state tax reform, adequate health care, and other economic justice 
issues. Historically SOCM has stood for Save Our Cumberland Mountains, 
and the organization is in the process of changing its name to more 
accurately reflect its statewide scope and multi-issue agenda. SOCM is 
also developing a strategic plan to guide the organization’s development 
into an even stronger, more diverse statewide organization.

Role of the SOCM Executive Director

The SOCM Executive Director fosters the integrity, growth and 
flourishing of the entire organization. The Director is responsible for 
oversight of all operations in order to carry out the mission of the 
organization and achieve goals determined by the democratically-elected 
Board of Directors. This includes coordination and monitoring of 
strategic planning, program development, and evaluation. It also 
includes foundation and grassroots fundraising, legal and financial 
administration, staff supervision, fostering leadership development for 
members and staff, and cultivating strong working relationships with 
organizational allies in Tennessee and throughout the United States. The 
SOCM Executive Director reports to the SOCM Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate regular strategic planning, program development and evaluation
• Foster democratic participation in the organization
• Coordinate resource development, cultivate relationships with 
foundations and donors, and write grant proposals
• Work with the SOCM Finance Committee to develop the annual budget
• Assure that leadership and training opportunities are available to 
members and staff
• Monitor progress on SOCM program work through direct supervision of 
the Assistant Director/Lead Organizer
• Cultivate relationships with other organizations and resources to 
share and enhance SOCM’s program effectiveness
• Manage the budget and directly supervise financial management staff
• Assure timely filing of all federal and state reports
• Provide oversight on personnel management procedures and work with 
SOCM’s Personnel Committee to hire and evaluate personnel
• Report directly to the SOCM Board of Directors, help prepare Board 
meeting agendas, and see that Board decisions are carried out

Qualifications

• Commitment to community organizing around social, environmental, 
economic and racial justice issues as a method of social change
• Extensive experience in grassroots community organizing; 10 years 
experience preferred
• Significant management and supervisory experience; experience working 
with a racially diverse staff and constituency preferred
• Proven grant writing experience; experience with donor-based 
fundraising a plus
• Competence in office technology and basic software applications
• Knowledge of and experience working with the legislative process
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment and take direction from a 
member-run Board

Salary and Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent 
benefits include full health insurance coverage, pension, four week 
vacation to start, regular holidays, sick days, sabbatical, growth 
leave, and other benefits

To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter, and a list of at least three 
references to info at socm.org. Please put Executive Director Position in 
the heading. In your cover letter please include a description of your 
specific experiences in doing grassroots community organizing. A more 
complete job description is available on request. SOCM is an equal 
opportunity employer.

Deadline: Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. For 
questions about the position, call Maureen O’Connell, 865-426-9455

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Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM)
P.O. Box 479
Lake City, Tennessee 37769
Phone: 865-426-9455
Fax: 865-426-9289
www.socm.org

JOB OPENING: Community Organizer

SOCM, a 36-year-old state-wide, multi-issue, community organization 
working for social, economic, and environmental justice in Tennessee, is 
accepting applications for a community organizer position. SOCM is 
democratically run by its members and invests in member leadership 
development as well as winning issues that affect their lives. SOCM is 
committed to anti-racism work and to organizing that builds greater 
racial diversity. Current organization-wide campaigns are around strip 
mining, aerial spraying of toxic chemicals, voter rights, and state tax 
reform. Local organizing in chapters takes place around many issues of 
local impact. Organizer will work with members through state-wide issue 
committees and/or local chapters to help set strategy, build leadership, 
carry out work plans, and move the campaigns forward. Positions require 
some internal fundraising and writing duties.

REQUIREMENTS: Commitment to environmental, social, and economic justice 
through community organizing; ability to work with people of diverse 
backgrounds; self-motivated and self-starting; ability to work 
independently and cooperatively; own a car; willing to travel for field 
time in different parts of the state; one year of previous organizing 
experience required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Starting salary is $27,000+ depending on 
experience. Group health insurance, paid vacation (4 weeks to start), 
sick leave, personal growth leave (1 week/year), parental leave (1 
month), pension, sabbatical, and opportunity for trainings.

TO APPLY: Applications are welcome right away. Send resume and cover 
letter and at least three references with contact information to SOCM, 
P.O. Box 479, Lake City, Tennessee 37769, (865) 426-9455; e-mail: 
info at socm.org . For more information, please contact Cassie Watters at 
cassie at socm.org. SOCM is committed to the active recruitment, hiring, 
and advancement of people of color.