Lead School Site Community Organizer

About Us

The Black Organizing Project (BOP) is a Black member-led community organization working for racial, social, and economic justice through grassroots organizing and community-building in Oakland, California and across the Bay Area.  In addition to caring for our community, BOP has adopted a more sustainable philosophy for our staff.  BOP takes pride in caring for its staff, by providing competitive salaries, 4-day work weeks, 2 paid company-wide seasonal rest periods each year, as well as other perks that promote a healthy work-life balance. 

With a 12-year history building power in Oakland, Pittsburg and Antioch, BOP has created an inclusive work environment that emphasizes shared leadership and people-centered decision-making.  With a staff of 14, a highly involved Board of Directors, and deeply dedicated members, allies and partners, our work is fueled by deep commitment to community change and building power in Black communities.  We are excited to welcome a new team member who loves fundraising for the creativity and relationships it can inspire; who has both passion and humility for learning; and who looks forward to contributing their strengths within our dynamic, fun, and talented team.  

About our ideal candidate

You are exceptionally organized and thorough, a compelling storyteller, and passionate about BOP’s mission and work.  You are strong in relationship building and have the skill to build warm, genuine relationships, develop and manage contacts, and have a strong ability to pay close attention to details.  You thrive on collaboration in a small team, lead by example and support others generously, and seek ongoing opportunities to learn and grow outside your comfort zone.  OUSD parents are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lead Organizer Overview [ School site] 

The Lead Community Organizer is responsible for working in the field, developing organizers and building a powerful base of elders, youth and adults that are actively engaged in our organization, program work and strategic coalitions.  They will advance the work of membership development and retention through arts, culture and political education.  The Lead Community Organizer will also work with organizers and develop them to build meaningful relationships with current and potential members.  They will work at specific school sites developing and conducting workshops, trainings, meetings and strategy sessions that engage members as critical thinkers and leaders working toward our common goals.

Base Building:

• Develop and build out outreach, follow up and member engagement strategies 
• Develops and recruits community members for the membership committee 
• Work with core leaders on program work, campaign strategy, implementation, negotiations and actions
• Along with leaders, represents BOP to media and outside agencies

Leadership Development:

• Recruit new members, develop and facilitate relationships with members to have shared ownership of the work 
• Develop members and organizers political understanding and landscape analysis 
• Identify and recruit emerging core leaders among membership to participate in committees 
• Oversee processing members and member engagement 
• Develop members and organizers to participate in and/or lead committees, campaigns, coalitions and movement building activities

Provide Coaching and Supervision:

• Build positive relationships and team comradery
• Support the ongoing development of members and organizers through coaching, reflection and capacity building
• Develop and cultivate work plans, evaluations and assessments 
• Conduct weekly check-ins w/ organizers and support them in the field

Documentation and Reporting:

• Document qualitative and quantitative data related to programs and report to Organizing Director 
• Maintain systems of tracking outreach, oversee database of contacts, weekly reports 
• Other duties as assigned

Conditions

Full-time, exempt at-will position, 90-day probationary period 

Salary range is $70,000 to $80,000 depending on experience. 

BOP offers a generous benefits package to all regular full-time employees that includes:

• 100% organization paid medical, dental, vision coverage for the employee and family
• 401K organization matching
• Accrue 14 vacation days in the first year with incremental increases thereafter, 7 sick days annually, 14 paid holidays, 2 unrestricted floating holidays
• Paid holiday closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Fully paid 4-week sabbatical program after 5 years with the organization
• Professional development funds

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in community, labor or other relevant grassroots organizing 
• Demonstrated success in growing and developing an organized base of members, constituents or community members
• Team player attitude
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerbase, Google Docs and PowerPoint are a plus
• Flexibility to work on weekends and evenings, as necessary
• Ability to multi task and generate solution-based ideas
• Willingness to travel, as necessary
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation highly preferred