Racial Justice Organizer

Position Summary :

ECCO is looking for inspired people who want to participate in a prophetic undertaking the creation of a just world right here, right now.

ECCO seeks a dynamic, faith / values-driven organizer to lead our racial justice and criminal justice reform work and to help us build our powerful faith-led social justice efforts.

ECCO believes in taking responsibility for creating a world guided by our faith, our shared sense of values, and our common vision.

We are the ones that we have been waiting for. It’s time to act. Will you join us?

Responsibilities :

Base-Building Organizing : Increase ECCO’s base of leaders of color so the organization can fully achieve its goal of being led by people most affected by racial and economic justice.

Identify congregations, both within and outside of ECCO, who have congregants of color who have been affected by the policies of mass incarceration including immigrant detention and economic exploitation.

Through regular 1 : 1 meetings and group trainings, organize and develop the leadership of African Americans and Latinos, both in ECCO’s congregations of color and in new congregations not yet connected to ECCO.

Identify, cruit, and organize directly-affected people of color outside of congregations, particularly youth of color affected by the systems of mass incarceration Develop new leaders of color to join ECCO’s Beloved Economy campaigns.

Strategize and implement additional base-building approaches that increase Black and Latino power.

Campaign Organizing : Assist ECCO’s leaders in defining vision and goals. Train leaders to act in the public arena with measurable impact.

Support congregations and regional teams in outreach, research, and strategic planning to wage and win campaigns. This includes supporting teams to organize large community action meetings, non-violent symbolic actions, voter engagement, meetings with public officials, and developing and implementing plans around community investment.

Work with ECCO leaders and clergy to lead our Beloved Economy Campaign for Racial Justice, including work on police reform, community investment, and immigration reform on the local, state, and national levels.

Building Solidarity : Develop and implement strategies that create spaces where Black people, Latinos, immigrants, and other people of color can come together to share their stories, understand each other’s pain, and develop a common political and economic analysis.

Leverage mutual understanding between people of color as the basis for collective action. Support solidarity efforts by ECCO’s other community organizers to promote understanding and solidarity between people of color and white leaders in ECCO.

Participate in ECCO’s fundraising efforts , staff development and administrative activities as required. Participate in staff meetings and staff development and training, as well as meetings with MCAN and FIA.

Develop appropriate training to advance the goals and responsibilities stated above. Provide guidance and technical assistance to Shine Together part-time organizer.

Participate in planning campaigns for policy change with the rest of the organizing staff. Participate in the organization’s practice of praxis - ongoing cycles of action / organizing and reflections / evaluation to advance a culture of institutional learning.

Contribute to reporting requirements for funding sources. Write weekly emails, social media posts, press releases, and program materials that advance Meet on a weekly basis with supervisor to shadow, plan, and evaluate work progress.

Participate in site visits with foundations and other administrative activities as needed.

Preferred Qualifications :

Organizing Skills 3-5 years professional experience in community organizing and / or community-building. Experience organizing in Black communities and / or faith communities required.

Ability to train and develop leaders, especially those who have been historically denied access to power. Commitment to bottom-up organizing, grassroots leadership, and collective decision-making Strong oral and written communications skills.

Capacity to think strategically and analytically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting the community.

Personal Qualities Solid understanding of one's own faith / religious journey and a strong sense of power. Strong relational skills.

Ability to connect, engage, and inspire community members across multiple cultures including; religion, race, gender, age, language, and class.

Desire to learn and openness to challenge Ability to work as part of a strong staff team as well as independently. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Position entails considerable evening and occasional weekend work. A car is highly- encouraged.

Compensation and Benefits :

• Full-time, exempt position.
• A competitive salary based on experience.
• Benefits include health insurance and reimbursement for mileage and cell phone use.

ECCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women and people of color to apply.