Democracy Circle Organizer, DC Metro area
Remote, based in Washington DC area | Full-Time | Union | $65,000–$75,000 + Benefits
About The Workers Circle
The Workers Circle is a national Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who came to the United States fleeing autocracy and persecution and seeking democratic freedoms and economic opportunity. That history drives our work today for an inclusive democracy and human equality. Through strategic social justice campaigns, powerful grassroots organizing, and vibrant Yiddish language and cultural programming, the Workers Circle powers a multigenerational network of more than 200,000 activists across the country who are working to build a multiracial, multicultural democracy for all.
Democracy Circle Organizer, based in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area
The Democracy Circle Organizer is based in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area and will have primary responsibility for advancing Democracy Circles, Workers Circle’s grassroots power-building model, with a special emphasis on engaging activists over 60 years of age. The Democracy Circle organizer will also anchor direct actions (marches, protests etc.) in DC and coordinate legislative visits and advocacy. The Democracy Circle Organizer is a member of the Social Justice team and will assist with other social justice programming, immersions, and campaigns. This is an exempt, union position.
DEMOCRACY CIRCLES
The Democracy Circle Organizer has primary oversight of the Democracy Circle grassroots power-building program and is responsible for sustaining and expanding the model’s use by individuals, organizations, and coalitions.
The organizer will be responsible for writing the quarterly Democracy Circle convener guides. These convener guides are a curriculum for Democracy Circle conveners and members, training them on timely issues and activist skills. The Organizer will also write supplementary one-pagers on relevant legislation and create other materials as needed to support the learning of Democracy Circles.
The Democracy Circle Organizer will onboard new Democracy Circle conveners, introducing them to the model and community. The DC Organizer will also track the progress of new circles and existing circles by periodically checking in and following up with Democracy Circle conveners, provide ongoing support to a subset of conveners, and coordinate assigning some circles to other organizers on the social justice team for ongoing relationship building and coaching. The organizer will maintain a database of Democracy Circle actions and success stories, and share these with the Workers Circle communications and development teams.
The Democracy Circle organizer will develop, facilitate and promote two regular Zoom programs, a monthly “Build Power: Start a Democracy Circle” training to recruit new conveners, and a quarterly “Democracy Circle and Democracy Center” gathering to build community among engaged activists. Additionally, the organizer will serve as a public-facing ambassador for the Democracy Circle model and may introduce Democracy Circles to other organizations and coalitions, speak at conferences, discuss with press, or write about the power of the model.
DMV and Coalition Organizing
The Democracy Circle Organizer will develop and grow the Workers Circle activist base in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region (DMV). The Democracy Circle Organizer will participate in actions and programs with select allied organizations in DC that advance multiracial democracy. This will include anchoring Workers Circle presence at national actions in Washington, DC. Additionally, the organizer will maintain strong working relationships with aligned Jewish social justice organizations in the DMV region, such as the Democracy Circle cohort of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable as well as key democracy coalitions such as the Declaration for American Democracy and the Leadership Conference among others.
The Democracy Circle Organizer will also work to open new doors and strengthen existing relationships for the Workers Circle with key government leaders, federal lawmakers and relevant agencies that demonstrate our grassroots power, legislative priorities, and Jewish values.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand or walk for extended periods outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Ability to lift and carry materials (up to approximately 20 pounds) as needed for event setup and support.
General
The Democracy Circle Organizer will advance the progressive values and vision of the Workers Circle. This position reports to the Manager of Social Justice. Additional duties may be required at the employer’s discretion. The position requires attendance at a variety of Workers Circle Social Justice Team events and actions which may sometimes take place outside of normal business hours.
This is an exempt, full-time, union position, fully remote and based in the Washington, DC area. Compensation $65,000-75,000 depending on experience, plus an excellent benefits package.
The ideal candidate will possess:
· 5-7 years of experience in start-up or grassroots organizing
· Strategic thinker and tactician
· Familiarity with the federal legislative process and nonpartisan grassroots lobbying
· Experience lobbying Congressional offices, White House or Government Agencies
· Fluent navigator of Jewish cultures and identities
· Self-starter and accomplished project manager
· Excellent public speaking and writing skills
· Excellent listening skills, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving skills
· At ease in a fast-past environment without losing attention to detail
· Comfortable working in a deployed setting and relating to colleagues remotely
· Experience mobilizing people 60+ to advocacy and action.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter to hr@circle.org explaining your interest in the position and relevant experience. Include contact information for at least three professional references (references will not be contacted without prior notice).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
The Workers Circle is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, women, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA community.