The Housing Alliance leads the movement to ensure that all Washington residents thrive in safe, healthy, affordable homes. We do this through policy advocacy, strategic communications, and by organizing and growing the diverse base of people and organizations working for housing justice.
The person in this position mobilizes individuals in advocacy and electoral activities for the Housing Alliance and its 501(c)4 sister organization, the Housing Alliance Action Fund, with a strong focus on engaging residents of affordable housing communities. The Community Organizer is part of a 4-person organizing and mobilization team and works closely with the Voter Engagement Organizer to achieve the strategic goals of this position.
This is an exempt position based in the Housing Alliance office in Seattle, but requires the ability to travel throughout Washington. Overnight travel is rare, but may be required for conferences or outreach activities far from the office. Evening and weekend work is required on occasion.
The Housing Alliance is a collaborative work environment where all employees participate in carrying out the organization’s mission and goals.
Manage the Resident Action Project (RAP)
- Engage residents of affordable housing communities and people with personal experience of homelessness in community organizing, advocacy, and civic participation to advance local, state, and federal policy solutions;
- Engage nonprofit housing and service providers as critical partners in outreach, event planning, turnout, and other RAP support;
- Support the resident-led Statewide Steering Committee (currently 7 members) in developing and implementing the strategic direction of RAP;
- Organize community meetings, listening sessions, leadership retreats, trainings and other events;
- Oversee member communications, including email newsletter, RAP website, and social media. Manage the Emerging Advocates Program (EAP)
- Support selected advocates in completing an established advocacy skills training curriculum; and
- Engage EAP participants in ongoing advocacy action and encourage their leadership within RAP and the Housing Alliance.
Support Housing Alliance Action Fund civic engagement efforts
- Mobilize RAP and Action Fund members to get involved in legislative advocacy and voter engagement efforts like GOTV; and
- Organize voter engagement events, such as voter registration drives in affordable housing communities.
Other
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and retreats;
- Participate in organizational anti-oppression efforts to bring about systemic change within the organization and in the larger community;
- Other duties as assigned.
Competitive candidates will have most or all of the following:
- At least four years experience in community or labor organizing, mobilization, or a related field;
- The ability to work effectively across cultures, actively promoting and engaging the leadership of people from marginalized communities;
- A belief in the power of community organizing and policy advocacy;
- A passion for ending homelessness and expanding access to affordable homes;
- Familiarity with Washington state’s housing and service provider landscape;
- Fluency in a second language;
- Strong facilitation skills in small and large group settings;
- Strong project management skills;
- The ability to be flexible and responsive in a fast-paced and changing environment;
- Competence with Google suite and Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
- The ability to work occasional evenings and weekends;
- A driver’s license; and
- A sense of humor and grace under pressure.
Salary $48,000-54,000 depending on experience. Generous benefits package includes health, dental, vision and life insurance, employer contribution to retirement account, subsidized ORCA pass, health care/child care flexible spending account, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Please send resume and succinct cover letter (describing your relevant experience, why you are interested in this position and how you learned of the opening) to [email protected]. Additionally, your anonymous completion of this questionnaire (https://goo.gl/forms/333nkJcdrBHf5P0Z2) will help us improve our recruitment processes going forward. The position is open until filled but priority will be given to candidates who apply by November 10.
The Housing Alliance is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We value and desire a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and people who have experienced homelessness or housing instability to apply.