Californians for Justice (CFJ) is a statewide grassroots organization working for racial justice by building the power of communities that have been pushed to the margins of the political process. Since 1995 we have organized youth, immigrants, low-income people and communities of color in order to improve their social, economic and political conditions.

CFJ is a unique and exciting organization. We are the only grassroots organization in California that is organizing youth to have a voice in both local and statewide education policy. We lead the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE), a statewide alliance of organizations working for equality and improved conditions in California public schools. The CQE won a two year delay to the implementation of the High School Exit Exam and fought for an index to measure the quality of education in every school. Our local offices have won several key changes in their school districts, from cleaner bathrooms and more fair discipline policies to more academic counselors and college preparatory classes.

CFJ is also known for our work educating and mobilizing thousands of volunteers and voters in low income communities of color across the state to fight for racial justice at the ballot box. From affirmative action to bilingual education to the “racial privacy initiative,” CFJ has been on the cutting edge of electoral organizing for the past twelve years. Building on this history, we are currently focusing on expanding our membership base through youth and young adult organizing and electoral campaigns that build support for improving California public schools.

Job Announcement: Statewide Campaign Director


Californians for Justice (CFJ) is a statewide grassroots organization building the power of communities that have been pushed to the margins of the political process. The focus of our work is to wage regional and statewide policy campaigns around public education as a crucial arena to fight for racial justice and concentrates our efforts in organizing high school youth and Community College students.  Active in four key regions of the state––Long Beach, Fresno, San Jose, and Oakland ––CFJ has a membership of 1,200 and has won key victories that have improved the quality of education for students statewide. CFJ also coordinates the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE), a statewide alliance of organizations working for equity and improved conditions in California’s public schools.

Working closely with a statewide team, (Executive Director, Organizing Director, and Communications Director) the Statewide Campaign Director plays a key role in providing overall leadership in campaign and political strategy, alliance building and coordination of the CQE through the CQE’s Coordinating Committee.  The Statewide Campaign Director also supports CFJ’s four regions with research and campaign strategy development, and serves as a Strategy Team member for the Alliance for Educational Justice, a national collaboration of youth & education justice organizations. The Statewide Campaign Director reports directly to the Executive Director.

Statewide Campaign Director Responsibilities:

Oversee the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE)

•    Work closely with the CQE’s Coordinating Committee to lead campaign, political and alliance building strategy development and implementation.

•    Build/maintain relationships with grassroots, policy and advocacy groups.

•    Monitor state level policy and understand state education landscape.

•    Work with CFJ’s Communications Director and CQE’s Coordinating Committee to develop effective media strategies and messaging to advance state policy goals.

•    Facilitate Core Ally and Coordinating Committee meetings and engagement through regular communication and campaign activities.

•    Create and facilitate youth and parent friendly trainings on statewide campaign issues.

•    Identify and recruit new alliance member organizations.

Provide strategic campaign development support to CFJ’s regional organizing efforts

•    Work with Organizing Director and Organizing Leads to align local, state, and national campaigns.

•    Support regional campaigns through policy development and alliance building strategies.

•    Coordinate CFJ’s Statewide Student Strategy Team to engage & educate students and staff in statewide and national work.

•    Conduct internal planning and training with CFJ staff and members.

Represent CFJ on a national level with the Alliance for Educational Justice (AEJ)

•    Work with AEJ Strategy Team and other AEJ committees to promote national educational justice policy campaigns.

•    Coordinate CFJ staff and student participation in AEJ committees, actions and events.

Qualifications:

    ⁃    Minimum of 2 years in a director or senior level position AND 4 years in community/labor organizing.

    ⁃    Minimum of 2 years statewide and/or regional alliance building and coordination.

    ⁃    Campaign strategy development, coordinating and implementation experience on a regional or statewide level.

    ⁃    Ability to work effectively with public officials and a variety of stakeholders from grassroots groups, advocates, researchers, and litigators.

    ⁃    Strong commitment to systemic social justice, racial justice and youth empowerment

    ⁃    Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal communications skills.

    ⁃    Strong computer skills with familiarity with Microsoft Office and email client software. Familiarity with Mac operating system is a plus.

    ⁃    Understanding of grassroots organizing, educational justice, and statewide policy work is strongly recommended.

    ⁃    Advanced skills in facilitation of small and large group meetings.

    ⁃    A developed and critical racial justice analysis.

Location:

The Statewide Campaign Director will work out of the Oakland office. We may consider the option of working in one of our other regions.

Compensation:

$42,300-$47,700 based on experience and qualifications. CFJ provides an excellent benefits package including full medical, dental, vision, and alternative health care insurance. 

To apply:

Please email a cover letter, resume and three professional references (required) by Friday, July 30th, 2010 to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

No phone calls please. We will respond to eligible applicants.  Please do not call to inquire about application status. This position will remain open until filled.

CFJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities and all qualified persons to apply.

For a downloadable PDF of the position, please click here