Field Organizer, Media Mobilizing Project

Posted by Media Mobilizing Project on August 17, 2015

Media Mobilizing Project is hiring a full-time contract Field Organizer to support organizing on a variety of projects. Please read below for details.

ORGANIZATION: The Media Mobilizing Project develops grassroots leadership to tell transformative stories that strengthen and incubate community-led organizing to advocate for all people’s human rights and to end poverty. Since its founding in 2005, MMP has used strategic media and communications to intervene in critical human rights struggles – from public education to healthcare, media reform, and public services.

MMP does this through working with low-wage workers, youth, immigrants and other communities on media collaborations, narrative development, training and education in audio/video production, digital literacy, and human rights.

We collaborate with movements of immigrants, low-wage workers, and youth in audio/video production, digital literacy, organizing, and human rights. MMP uses strategic media and communications to intervene in critical human rights struggles from public education to the structure of our media system, to healthcare and workers rights.

BACKGROUND: Since early 2014, MMP has led the CAP Comcast (http://www.capcomcast.org) campaign; focused on holding Philadelphia’s hometown Comcast Corporation accountable to Philadelphia communities.

Here in the poorest big city in America, Comcast pays nothing in property taxes to support our underfunded schools. Philadelphia also has some of the worst internet access in the country – with only 64% of us online, and most of those offline elderly and low-income – thousands of Philadelphians are on the wrong side of the digital divide.

CAP Comcast is working with thousands of Philadelphians, community groups, and City Hall to renegotiate our contract with Comcast to sell communications services in the city; and to expand affordable Internet and cable, rights for workers and consumers, and to make Comcast pay its fair share.

MMP is also working in partnership with powerful leaders in public education focused on supporting parents and students, transforming schools into centers of community support called Community Schools, and telling the stories of parents and families impacted by our crisis in public education. We are also working to tell the stories of workers impacted by the economic crisis in New Jersey, and across Philadelphia and the region.

POSITION: MMP is seeking a full-time contract field organizer to support this campaign, from late August/early September through December 2015, with the option of extension and the possibility of longer-term staff employment. This position will be a part of the MMP staff collective, and will report to the Policy Director, who is leading the CAP Comcast campaign.

Depending on the candidate, this field organizer might also provide support to other vital MMP organizing supporting our public education, mediamaking and storytelling, or other work.

This position will give the right applicant the opportunity to be a strong public-facing leader in a nationally-recognized organization, to help win meaningful benefits for America’s poorest big city from Philadelphia’s richest corporate citizen, and to support vital organizing for dignity and human rights in Philadelphia

This position is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Responsibilities
• Lead and execute team strategies to engage everyday people in direct advocacy to win these benefits as a part of the Comcast franchise renegotiation.
• Lead and execute strategies in support of our organizing for community schools and other MMP campaign priorities. This includes:
o Organizing and holding meetings with volunteers,
o Liaising with community organizations who can endorse and take action in our campaigns
o Organizing community members to advocate for these issues City Council and at public hearings and,
o Turning people out for press conferences and demonstrations
• Managing volunteers to help with the above activities, and committing new volunteers to support the above activities.
• When appropriate, serving as a spokesperson for the campaign.
• Managing logistics and documentation for planning meetings and public events, as necessary.
• Other responsibilities as necessary.

Qualifications:
• Commitment to MMP’s mission and vision.
• Demonstrated, measurable experience organizing individuals to fight for social justice.
• Motivation, discipline, flexibility, discretion, attention to detail, ability to work on multiple projects with independence, ability to report simply and accountably on work, willingness to learn and sense of humor.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, both internal at the organization and externally to stakeholders and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong professional relationships with everyday Philadelphians, elected officials, organizational leaders, organizational members, board and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work demands strategically.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities and to work both independently and collaboratively.
• A strong team player with the ability to take and give direction.
• Ability to attend some night and weekend meetings and events, and regular access to a car and a valid driver license, and willingness to use these tools, strongly preferred.
• Desire to work in an environment that is diverse, fast-paced and community-driven.
• Experience in managing volunteers and interns.

Compensation: The Field Organizer is a 4-month contract position, averaging 40 hours/week, based on workload. Rate is negotiable, starting at $20/hour, with some flexibility in hours. At the end of the contract, there is a possibility of extending the position, though this is not guaranteed.

To apply: Please send cover letter and resume with 3 independent references who can speak directly to your work to jobs ‘at’ mediamobilizing ‘dot’ org.

Deadline is rolling, with the desire to fill the position ASAP.