RAD is hiring a Field Organizer to help us build our base of Vermonters who are committed to our mission. This is a perfect position for someone who is passionate about social justice and is looking for fulfilling and meaningful work that can make a difference. You will be at the forefront of our campaigns speaking to Vermonters about important issues and helping people find their place in our movement.
The first field project, which will run through the end of 2022, will be to conduct broad outreach utilizing a variety of tactics to collect stories and experiences from individuals who have attempted to enroll in Medicaid and/or who receive healthcare services through Medicaid. The findings may inform future advocacy efforts at the state and national levels. Subsequent field projects will be identified in collaboration with RAD issue campaigns.
Responsibilities include:
- Utilize outreach tactics such as door knocking, phone banking, tabling, listening events, and one-to-one meetings to initiate contact with Vermonters we hope to bring into our movement.
- Communicate with the Vermont organizing team about the people met through outreach and ensure there is a plan to follow up with each person to try to engage them in our broader organization and work.
- By the end of December 2022, recruit Vermonters to participate in a survey on their experiences with Medicaid, with the goal of collecting between 100-150 surveys. (Note: participants will receive $25 compensation for completing the survey.)
- Conduct outreach to organizations that serve the individuals we are trying to reach (e.g., for the Medicaid project, those organizations that serve Medicaid recipients) with the goal of reaching their clients with RAD outreach materials.
- Collaborate with RAD issue campaign organizers to develop field plans for their campaigns.
- Collaborate with the RAD communications team to develop digital and print outreach materials used for field work.
- Accurately record the results of every interaction in our tracking database on a daily basis.
- Support the planning of organization-wide events and activities, including retreats and membership meetings.
- Participate in calls with national partners and funders engaged in relevant work in other states.
- Capture stories (video or written) from Vermonters willing to share their experiences.
- Stay grounded in our vital mission to bring directly-impacted people into our progressive base and practice the tenets of this mission: listening actively and without judgment, asking follow-up questions, sharing your own stories, and connecting around shared values based on common experiences.
- May be responsible for planning occasional meetings and public events.
Minimum Requirements
- Reliable transportation is required. You need to have access to transportation, such as a personal vehicle, in order to initiate in-person contact with Vermonters. We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 and make adjustments accordingly to protect employee and public safety.
- Ability to connect with people with a variety of backgrounds and identities
- Strong commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and the RAD mission.
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to build and maintain constructive, positive relationships
- Willingness to adapt to a flexible work schedule that includes some evenings and weekends.
- Basic computer and technical literacy in commonly-used computer applications, comfort with video conferencing, and ability to learn how to efficiently enter data into an online database that we use in our work.
- Willingness to engage in personal growth and professional development to more effectively complete your goals.
Preferred, but not required
- Experience in community-based/grassroots/ or electoral organizing
- Previous canvassing, public outreach, or political/campaign experience and experience with VAN (votebuilder, everyaction, mini-van) is a plus, and will be given special consideration.
- Experience using Google Suite (Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar, etc.), and Zoom
- Experience utilizing Medicaid, or supporting others in doing so, would be beneficial to hit the ground running on the first field project.
Location: Vermont, remote (access to coworking space may be available if desired).
Hours: 30 hours/week.
Start and end dates: Start date ASAP. This is a temporary position that will run until May 31, 2023. The position may be extended if funding becomes available.
Compensation: Between $20 to $22 hourly, based on relevant experience and skills. This position is paid hourly and includes a generous paid time off policy. Reimbursement for mileage traveled on behalf of the organization is provided. This position will be eligible for benefits after 3 months of work, in line with our temporary staff benefits policy. This is a Union position.
Benefits
RAD offers a generous paid time-off policy. After three months of employment, temporary staff members are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance at no additional cost. A monthly allowance for phone and internet is also provided after 3 months of employment.
Working Conditions
Much of our current administration work and staff meetings are happening in a virtual space. Occasional in-person travel may be necessary, for which staff receives reimbursement for mileage traveled on behalf of RAD.
Application Process
Please send a cover letter and resume to Alison Nihart, VT State Director, at alison@radvt.org.
Deadline to Apply: September 5, 2022
RAD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As a part of our commitment to equity, RAD will ensure that persons with disabilities disclosed or undisclosed are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed or desired to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Kirthana Vallesi at kirthana@radvt.org.
Rights & Democracy is committed to equity and inclusion within and externally. Core to our work is an understanding of the multiple and intersecting ways in which society is constructed to disadvantage and marginalize people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, indigenous peoples, women, low-income people, people with disabilities, previously incarcerated people, and others. We believe that underrepresented and marginalized communities must be centered in the work that we do. Our staff, board and members are in a constant learning environment to better identify and transform white supremacy culture in our workplace into an anti-oppressive space in which all can thrive. We have engaged in significant efforts to diversify our staff and board and are committed to continued anti-racism work.