[COMM-ORG] job: organizer, Iowa, with salary info

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From: "Kari Carney" <kari at iowacci.org>


Job Opening:

Community Organizer with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Fighting for Social, Economic & Environmental Justice

Position Description -
Iowa CCI needs you to join our winning team.  We want to hire another
community organizer who would work on issues in both urban and rural
areas, be based out of our Des Moines office, and travel throughout the
state.  The right candidate is highly motivated and passionate about
standing up for what's right.  You would work as part of a team of
members and staff to build people power; hold elected officials,
government agencies, corporations and industry groups accountable; and
fight for social, economic and environmental justice.  

Organizational Background -
The mission of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) is to
empower and unite grassroots people of all ethnic backgrounds to take
control of their communities; involve them in identifying problems and
needs and in taking action to address them; and be a vehicle for social,
economic and environmental justice.

We use organizing strategies that build people power and focus on civic
engagement, leadership development, and holding institutions accountable
to everyday people. We view community organizing as the most effective
means for engaging people in true democracy to bring about progressive
social change.   

Iowa CCI members are everyday people who talk, act and get things done
on issues that impact us the most - issues like a factory farm moving in
next door and ruining your quality of life, or shady mortgage lenders
taking advantage of hard-working families and causing foreclosures.

Over three decades, we've saved family farms, turned declining
neighborhoods around, stopped dozens of factory farms, preserved homes
for families and become a force to be reckoned with.   We have over
3,500 dues-paying members across the state from all walks of life -
urban and rural, black and white, immigrants and lifelong Iowans - who
believe in the power of uniting and standing up for what's right.

CCI staff have over 100 years of combined experience. They provide
training and expertise, and it's our members who provide the focus,
leadership and power in numbers to tackle tough issues and get things
done.  We are one of those unique organizations that is truly by the
people and for the people.

Our community organizing is currently centered on five main program
areas: 1.) farming and the environment (which includes our work on
factory farm issues); 2.) housing and financial safety (which includes
our work on predatory lending and the mortgage foreclosure issue); 3.)
voter-owned clean elections (which includes our work on reducing
big-money, special interest influence on political process); 4.)
immigrant rights & worker justice (which includes our work with
Latinos); and 5.) neighborhood-based issues.

We are fast-paced, energetic and recognized by other organizing groups
throughout the country as an organization that is effective at creating
change.

Our website - www.iowacci.org - has more information about who we are
and what we do.

Community Organizer Responsibilities:
*    work with CCI members, and other like-minded people, to identify
issues that are important to them.
*    research issues raised by members, and train members to do
research themselves.
*    hold planning meetings with members to develop action strategies
and plans for winning on issues and achieving goals.
*    assist members in carrying out agreed upon strategies to win
concrete victories.
*    help carry out media strategies to raise awareness about issues
and build support for our organizing.
*    assist with other project activities as needed (local issues,
statewide organizing, national/regional issues, grassroots fundraising,
etc.).
*    recruit new members through organizing campaigns and other
means.
*    assist with fundraising, grant writing and reporting.

Qualifications:
*    excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills
*    ability to communicate excitement and enthusiasm
*    ability to work well with everyday people in diverse racial,
ethnic, social and economic groups
*    ability to show initiative and follow-through
*    excellent writing skills
*    strategic thinking skills and attention to detail
*    ability to be creative
*    ability to work well as part of a team
*    ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations
*    willingness to travel around the state, and do some out-of-state
travel occasionally
*    not afraid to use confrontation as a tactic for winning justice
*    must be passionate about Iowa CCI's mission and purpose
*    excellent computer skills
*    willingness to work long hours
*    bi-lingual in Spanish and English a plus, but not mandatory
*    organizing experience and college education a plus
*    must have a car or have access to a car on a daily basis

Salary & Benefits:
Starting salary of $24,000 (could be higher based on experience).
Excellent benefits include a great work environment with dedicated
people, health and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and
generous vacation and PTO. Opportunities for advancement.

To Apply:
Email resume and 3 references by May 22, 2009 to:
Hugh Espey, Executive Director
hugh at iowacci.org

Please put "community organizer" in the subject line

Mailing address is:
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
2001 Forest Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa  50311

Iowa CCI is an equal opportunity employer.

For more information on Iowa CCI, visit www.iowacci.org