Job Opening

Job Description

San Jose Organizer 2023

California Applicants Only

Organization Overview

Californians for Justice is a statewide, youth-powered organization fighting to improve the lives of people of color, immigrants, low-income families, LGBQiA2S+/TGNC youth and other marginalized communities. Through organizing in schools and in their neighborhoods, youth who join Californians for Justice become leaders in their own communities. They deepen their knowledge on issues like systemic racism, gender and sexuality, and education inequity, and organize and activate their peers to take action.

CFJ is the only grassroots, youth-powered organization in California that organizes students to have a voice in both local and statewide education policy. Our campaign and policy reform goals include adequate and equitable school funding, increased access and success in K-12 and higher education, and creating Relationship Centered Schools – schools that invest in youth voice, in staff, and in creating space for youth and adults to build positive relationships with one another. CFJ currently has four regional offices in Fresno, Long Beach, San Jose and Oakland, 35 full-time equivalent staff and a budget of $4.5 million.

Californians for Justice has been successful because of our strong, dedicated staff team. CFJ staff are unwavering in their commitment to youth power and racial justice, to building connection and trust with their teams, and have a strong sense of purpose and dignity in their work. 

Position Overview

The Organizer will lead and coordinate CFJ’s grassroots organizing work in Oakland through base building, leadership development, political education workshops and other activities with high school students. The Organizer will also participate in CFJ’s local and statewide education organizing and campaign work through action research, coordinating campaign events, delegations, alliance work, and electoral organizing. 

The Organizer is part of a four-­person team: an Organizing Director, Lead Organizer, and two Organizers. The Organizer reports to the Lead Organizer in San Jose and also works closely with other CFJ regional organizers, and across departments and teams in the organization. The position is full­‐time and non-exempt. Organizers have a schedule of Mon – Fri 10/10:30 AM – 6:30/7 PM, some weekends and late evenings may be required.

Essential Responsibilities

Base Building & Leadership Development (60%)

• Conduct regular base building activities with high school students including but not limited to: school outreach, classroom presentations, phone banking, establishment of school-­based chapter(s) and maintaining a healthy base of students at chapter(s). 
• Lead San Jose’s leadership development work through weekly student leader meetings, skills-building sessions, coordination of regular one-­on-­one check-­ins, and political education.    
• Lead San Jose’s leadership development tracking and oversee our membership numbers and each member’s individual leadership development goals.
• Supervise high school interns and build their leadership skills.  

Campaign Organizing (30%)

• Support our local and statewide education organizing and campaign work through action research, coordinating campaign events, delegations, and electoral organizing (including phone banking during elections).  
• Participate in ally events and meetings to build and maintain CFJ’s visibility and community solidarity.

Organization-­wide responsibilities (10%)

• Participate in all grassroots fundraising campaigns and maintain a portfolio of individual and organizational prospects for solicitation.  
• Participate in and be accountable to cross-­department committees, teams, and departments.  
• Assume rotating meeting facilitation, notetaking and tech support roles and responsibilities as needed.  
• Provide support and participation for organization-­wide and regional campaigns and events.  

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• One or more years of experience leading youth organizing efforts and/or educational advocacy.
• Strong commitment to social justice, racial justice, and youth empowerment.  
• Strong interpersonal and team‐building skills, particularly with high school students and key decision-makers.
• Ability to energize, inspire, and move young people to action.
• Excellent problem-­solving and organizational skills.  
• Excellent attention to detail and follow­‐through.
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks and projects.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.  
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, G-Suite and a variety of applications.
• California driver’s license, insurance, and regular access to a 4‐5 seat passenger car.
• Available to work flexible hours, including afternoons and occasional evenings and weekends.   

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with one or more of the following areas: action research, campaign strategy,  curriculum development, alliance building, media outreach, grassroots fundraising, and  educational policy.  
• Has experience in and/or knowledge of the culture and history of youth organizing and education advocacy in San Jose. 

Work Environment

This position will be located in CFJ’s San Jose Office. Our offices are shared among several employees. 

Physical Demands

• Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk, for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.
• Able to see or read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids.
• Able to speak clearly and in audible tones on the phone and in person and be understood by others.
• Able to hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone.
• Able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

Compensation:

Hourly pay $24.77 – $29.67 approximately $51,519-$61,710 including overtime and depending on experience and qualifications as determined by CFJ’s salary scale. CFJ provides a generous benefits package, including fully paid health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees working at least half-time and their dependents. We also offer substantial vacation days and time off. 

How to Apply:

Send your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and qualifications, and at least three references to jobs@caljustice.org with the subject line “San Jose Organizer – Your Name.” Priority will be given to applicants who submit their materials by February 20th, 2023. We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

As a multi-racial organization, CFJ is 95% people of color, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where every staff member feels heard, supported, valued, and can share their authentic brilliance to move the CFJ mission forward. CFJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folx who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, parents, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. We are committed to addressing issues of racism and inequity internally and externally.