We're hiring an Associate Organizer

Spokane Alliance Associate Organizer

Position Summary

The Associate Organizer will work alongside the Lead Organizer to strengthen existing member institutions, develop new leaders, support issue campaigns, and expand the Alliance's organizing capacity. This position is designed as an entry point into broad-based community organizing and includes ongoing mentorship, training, and increasing responsibility over time.

The successful candidate will demonstrate curiosity, initiative, strong relational skills, and a willingness to learn the craft of organizing through both practical experience and formal training.

Three Month Tryout Period

This position begins with a paid three-month tryout period to ensure the role is a good fit for both the Associate Organizer and the Spokane Alliance.

During this period, the Associate Organizer will receive close supervision from the Lead Organizer and will be assigned a concrete set of organizing responsibilities aligned with the priorities of the organization. Typical assignments may include:

• Conducting 15–20 relational meetings each week.
• Beginning work with 1–3 member institutions.
• Supporting one Research Action Team, likely the Housing Equity Action Research Team (HEART).

At the conclusion of the three months, the Lead Organizer and Associate Organizer will jointly evaluate progress. Successful completion of the tryout period will result in continued employment and expansion of job responsibilities as a regular Associate Organizer.

Preference may be given to candidates with experience in the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) or participating in the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Try-Out Organizer process when appropriate.

Primary Responsibilities

Organize Member Institutions

Take responsibility for 3–5 member organizations by:

• Building relationships with clergy, lay leaders, labor leaders, and institutional leaders.
• Identifying and developing new volunteer leaders.
• Building and supporting core teams.
• Supporting institutions to participate fully in Alliance campaigns and trainings.
• Advance Housing for the Public Good Campaign

Support the Housing Equity Action Research Team (HEART) by:

• Recruiting, developing, and supporting volunteer HEART leaders.
• Assist HEART leaders in evaluating the feasibility of a Spokane-specific proposal for publicly financed mixed-income housing.
• Coordinating research meetings, public events, and coalition activities.
• Convening financial institutions, pension fund representatives, foundations, public agencies, and other capital partners to explore opportunities for a regional regenerative investment framework supporting workforce housing and related community infrastructure.

Leadership Development and Training 

Identify, surface, and develop everyday leaders and develop own skills through:

• Conducting relational meetings with prospective and existing leaders.
• Recruiting participants for trainings.
• Coaching emerging leaders into increasing responsibility.
• Developing proficiency in the Foundations of Community Organizing curriculum.

Organizational Growth and Development

Contribute to the long-term growth of the Alliance by:

• Recruiting new member organizations over time.
• Helping identify and cultivate individual donors.
• Supporting fundraising efforts and grant activities as assigned.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• At least 1 year of community organizing at a local level
• Industrial Areas Foundation regional or national training
• Strong relational skills / ability to work in diverse settings
• Outstanding analytical and organizational skills
• Effective writing and communication skills
• Training skills and/or experience
• Ability to plan, organize and act through small and large community events
• Creative problem solving 
• Computer skills including, Microsoft Office Suite

Professional Development

The Associate Organizer will receive ongoing supervision from the Lead Organizer. They will also participate in monthly IAF Pacific Academies, quarterly IAF Organizer Institute Group Meetings, and other Organizing Institute learning opportunities such as seminars and train-the-trainer sessions through the IAF W/SW. 

Salary and Benefits:  

• This is a full-time, hourly position, paid at $26–$29/hour, depending on experience.
• Full family health coverage; 10% of salary retirement contribution made by the employer; paid time off for sick, personal, and family leave, vacation and holidays.
  

The Spokane Alliance is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity or disability.

To Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter by September 1, outlining relevant experience, resume, and three references to: [email protected].