Ydsa Organizer Jobs

The Democratic Socialists of America is a member-run, socialist
organization with more than 280 groups in every state and the District of
Columbia engaged in movement-building, public education, direct action,
advocacy, and electoral politics. Our immediate goal is to build
working-class power against the capitalist class while advancing
transformative reforms like Medicare for All and a Green New Deal,
supporting a robust labor movement, electing socialists to office, and
shifting the public framing around capitalism and democratic socialism.
DSA is a “big tent,” multi-tendency organization that welcomes everyone
committed to democracy and socialism.
Young Democratic Socialists of America is the youth and student section of
the Democratic Socialists of America, and a national organization of
recognized campus chapters and several hundred activists. We are
students organizing in our universities, colleges, and high schools to fight
for the immediate needs of workers and students while building our
capacity to fight for more radical and structural changes.
This position will report to the Organizing Director and work closely with
other staff to develop and strengthen Young Democratic Socialists of
America chapters and the national body, including new outreach efforts
focused on HBCUs, community colleges, and trade schools. This position
will involve regular travel to meet with local groups approximately once per
month.
Responsibilities
Support national-level YDSA campaigns or projects and specifically work
to make sure the work effectively engages YDSA chapters and members
overall.
Work with other DSA organizing staff and others to identify and
strengthen YDSA-DSA partnerships, develop and assist with trainings
and opportunities for mutual learning
Train and support at least one YDSA member committees
Directly coach and train chapters (in person and remotely) through
ongoing relationships around: strategic campaigns, educational and
organizing resources, recruitment and and engagement of members,
participation in national-level priorities and other points as necessary
Build and refine new chapter organizing program
Co-execute at least 1 national gathering per year for YDSA chapters and
members in conjunction with elected/volunteer leadership and other
national staff.
Work to provide indirect resources and support to chapters through
assisting member organizers, creating new trainings or resources,
compiling and sharing best practices and more
Identify organic leaders or strong organizers and aggressively support
their development and opportunities to engage with local, national or
other strategic work
Supervise and develop potential YDSA interns at different phases of the
school year.
Handle administrative matters related to travel, record keeping and
perform other duties which may arise based on the needs of the
organization.
Requirements
At least two years of experience organizing to win a collective bargaining
agreement, a contract, legislation, campus administration pressure
campaign, or other reform that increased grassroots power.
Experience organizing students on campus at HBCUs, Black student
organizations, community colleges, and/or trade schools.
Thorough understanding of academic settings, politics, and calendars at
secondary and post-secondary levels.
Track record of recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, mobilizing
large numbers of people to take action, developing grassroots leadership,
and winning concrete campaigns.
Exceptional listening, interpersonal, and general communication skills.
A strong relationship-builder and team player.
Self starter that can efficiently manage multiple projects at once, use
limited resources effectively, and work with a team.
Handles high pressure situations with a positive attitude, tact, and
professionalism.
Demonstrated skill at using social media for organizing.
Able to work irregular hours.
Available to travel.
A valid driver’s license is required.
Commitment to democratic socialist, feminist, anti-racist, anti-ableist,
anti-heterosexist, and pro-worker action and identify as a socialist and be
grounded in democratic socialist politics; general agreement with the
positions and perspectives of YDSA and DSA.
Preferred
Personal networks of HBCU alumni or faculty.
Personal networks with Black Greek organizations and/or other
identity-based cultural campus formations
Grassroots fundraising experience.
Familiarity with Google Drive/Google Suite.
Experience with ActionKit or other CRMs.
Graphic design and/or illustration skills.
Popular or political education background.
Creativity.
Sense of humor.
Reports to: Organizing Director
Work Schedule: Full-time. Work hours will fluctuate according to campaign
needs and members’ availability.
Salary: $56,000, non-exempt
Benefits: We offer employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for
employees and their spouse/partner and/or dependent children, and three
weeks of vacation in the first year of employment, then four weeks each
year thereafter.
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the
Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
Application Deadline: rolling until the position is filled
Democratic Socialists of America will provide reasonable accommodations
for qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the
essential functions of their job if doing so does not result in undue hardship.
If you are in need of accommodations during the application process or
interview, please contact [email protected].
No phone calls or recruiters, please.
Democratic Socialists of America is an equal opportunity employer and
committed to a staff that reflects the working class. We strongly encourage
and seek applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities,
DREAMers, as well as members of the LGBTQ communities