Apply to be our public-health organizer!

STOP protests closure of the City of Chicago’s Woodlawn Mental Health Center in 2012. ChicagoMaroon.com

Update: We’ve filled this position.

Summary

The Public-Health Organizer will work full-time building the strength and power of STOP and our campaigns. The Public-Health Organizer will lead the campaign for opening and fully funding the City’s public mental-health clinics, and will assist the youth-led campaign to remove police from schools and reinvest in restorative alternatives. The Public-Health Organizer will also support STOP’s other campaigns to stop displacement, and build STOP’s base. The Public-Health Organizer will oversee the implementation of leadership development, base-building and campaign plans.

This job requires a person who relates well to a variety of people, has experience in and respect for developing grassroots leaders, and is comfortable representing the organization. Specific duties include: outreach/education to our base and the broader communities in which STOP is active; planning trainings and workshops for members; preparing members to plan and facilitate meetings and events; developing and implementing action research plans, and fundraising. Systems management and administrative duties are required such as maintenance of contacts database. The Public Health Organizer is supervised by, evaluated by, and reports to the Executive Director.

Essential responsibilities

Build STOP’s Base

• Develop and implement base-building plans with member groups

• Conduct outreach, including phone banking, (door-to-door outreach once we are cleared from the pandemic), presentations to community organizations, and follow-up with people who contact STOP

• Set and meet goals for specific numbers of individuals to reach, recruit, and turn out for meetings and events. 

• Organize meetings with current or potential members, working with members to prepare agendas and facilitate meetings. 

Develop Leadership

• Co-coordinate with the staff a leadership development trainings for members

• Practice leadership development through day-to-day activation of members

Strengthen STOP’s Campaigns

• Through one-on-ones, meetings, trainings and workshops involve members in planning and implementing campaign strategies

• Develop and implement action research plans with members

• Work with members to cut and frame issues and develop/implement media strategies, including media messaging, preparing for speaking to the media and critically assessing media coverage

Develop and Broaden STOP’s Alliances 

• Attend relevant coalition meetings with STOP members

• Build and maintain relationships with allies and potential allies

• Recruit STOP members to attend key actions and events put on by organizations working in solidarity with STOP

Strategic Planning

• Help plan/facilitate strategic planning retreats with members

• Meet regularly with organizing team

• Participate in ongoing evaluation and reflection activities

Manage and coordinate

• Work of volunteers

Fundraising

• Support leaders in planning and implementing grassroots fundraisers

• Support individual donor fundraising

• Assist in grant writing and/or soliciting input from members into grants

Systems and Administrative

• Collect and organize sign in sheets and minutes from all meetings.

• Submit timesheets every two weeks for the prior two weeks worked.

• Produce a written bi-weekly workplan outlining goals for the month and activities to achieve those goals.

• Check email daily, Monday – Friday, and respond to emails within 24-48 hours during business hours.

• Respond to text messages

• Track turnout and base building activities using database.

• Complete other documentation as needed in an accurate and timely manner

Office Hours

• This applies to a post-pandemic time when we fully returned to the office: Keep at least 20 hours of office hours per week. This should be at a time that is convenient for your leaders and members to meet with you. It should be a standing time that can be posted in the office. The intention is to make your program accessible to your leaders, members and base. You can setup meetings during your office hours.

• Assist with routine office tasks such as data entry, office upkeep, answering and responding to phone calls and emails.

Qualifications

• Commitment to STOP’s issues and values including economic and racial justice, gender equity, and human rights

• Minimum 3 years experience in grassroots organizing, including outreach, leadership development, campaign planning, and direct action

• Familiarity with mental-health system of care in the City and some of its problems

• Share a public-health analysis that includes addressing the social determinants of health as key to making communities healthy

• Interest in promoting public mental health services and the role of Health Departments in promoting them

• Ability to get along well with people from diverse backgrounds

• Knowledge of Woodlawn, Kenwood, Southshore and other South Side communities

• Familiarity with other community organizations in Chicago

• Awareness of community resources and ability to network to build community relationships

• Strong writing and speaking skills, including large group presentations

• Self motivated, independent problem-solvers and works well as part of a team

• Commitment to fostering a work environment and organizing campaigns that challenge and undo racist, classist, sexist, homophobic, anti-immigrant and other forms of prejudice and oppression

• Good personal organization skills, ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize and use time effectively

• Proficiency with word-processing, Google spreadsheets, e-mail and internet, or commitment to learn (training can be provided)

• Willingness to work regularly on evenings and some weekend hours

• Possession of a high-school diploma or GED

• Bachelor’s degree not required, but equivalent through work experience preferred

This position is available immediately.

Salary and Benefits: Full time salary: $35-40K, vacation, benefits, and transport reimbursement.

How to apply: send cover letter, resume, and three references to Alex at jobs@STOPchicago.org.

Southside Together Organizing for power is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other factor not specifically related to the ability to perform the job at hand.