Senior Organizer

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” - Dolores Huerta, community organizer

SENIOR ORGANIZER

Northern Plains Resource Council seeks a Senior Organizer who will develop and lead trainings on community organizing and power for our members, and work hand-in-hand with staff organizers to develop the organizing skills, leadership, and commitment of members and leaders across Northern Plains’ base.

WHO WE ARE

Northern Plains is a grassroots organization of people from the plains and mountains, cities and towns. We are everyday Montanans who love where we live. We stand up, shoulder-to-shoulder, to protect this place we all call home.

We believe that true prosperity begins with healthy land, water, and air. We believe that our families, farms, ranches, schools, businesses, governments, and communities thrive when we are good stewards of these resources. We believe that if we look beyond our fences, listen to one another, and keep our minds open, we will find creative solutions to secure a clean, healthful environment for all.

We are working toward a future where we live in harmony with nature, where our economy serves the people rather than the people serving the economy, where neighbors work side-by-side to build a world that lives up to our ideals of fairness, inclusion, and justice.

For over 50 years, Northern Plains Resource Council has helped Montanans organize to protect water quality, family farms and ranches, and our unique quality of life.

LOCATION: This is an in-person position located in Billings, Montana with flexible working arrangements available for individuals based in Billings.

We are a team of hard-working, dedicated individuals who honor and promote a healthy work/life balance. Our LEED Platinum certified office is full of natural light, outbursts of laughter, and is frequently visited by our furry, four-legged friends.

You will be directly supervised by the Director of Organizing and work with members from all over the state.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop and lead regular trainings on community organizing and power for Northern Plains members, staff, and the public;
• Work closely with staff organizers to develop the organizing skills, leadership, and commitment of members and leaders across our base;
• Lead efforts to bring new people into our organizing work and recruit new members to the organization;
• Serve as the lead organizer for at least one of Northern Plains’ local chapters or statewide issue teams;
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing;
• Act as a strategic thought partner to staff leadership and organizers;
• Fill gaps or add capacity to organizing efforts as needed and assigned;
• Depending on experience, supervise one or more staff as needed;
• Travel 3-4 days per month to lead trainings, shadow organizers in the field, and provide hands on coaching or support for members and staff organizers;
• Participate in grassroots fundraising efforts;
• Uphold our member-led model of grassroots and democratic decision-making.

WHO YOU ARE

• 3 or more years of experience leading or participating in a community, political, or union organizing campaign. This could include: base building, one-on-one recruitment, coalition building, campaign development, intentional leadership development, and creating creative tactics alongside member leaders;
• Strong training skills, including curriculum development and front-of-room facilitation;
• Exceptional communication skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including experience building trust and strong organizing relationships with people of all backgrounds;
• Highly motivated, proactive work style with excellent organizational skills and follow through;
• Ability to work collaboratively with teams of both staff and member leaders;
• Strategic thinker with a flexible and agile approach to achieving program goals and tactics;
• Committed to building the power of regular people through member-led, grassroots community organizing;
• Embraces Northern Plains’ mission.

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we still encourage you to apply.

Also helpful:

• Familiarity with environmental and agricultural issues;
• Familiarity with broader movements for social, economic, and environmental justice; and/or
• Experience supervising.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Our compensation philosophy and transparent salary structure flows from our belief that our people are the most important part of our organization. We offer thriving wages, ample benefits, and opportunities for growth and development.

The salary for this position ranges from $51,000 – $64,000 and depends heavily on experience. We also offer options for fully and partially employer-paid health insurance, 20 days paid vacation plus 13 paid holidays (including the week from Christmas Eve through New Year), 12 days of paid sick and personal leave, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave with the option to extend utilizing other leave types. In addition, we offer a retirement plan, an employer paid cell phone plan, and a sabbatical program.

This is a full-time, permanent position and is represented by Teamsters Local 190 and its terms and conditions are subject to negotiation between Northern Plains and the Union.

This position is open until filled, but we encourage applications as soon as possible.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity in all forms and in all aspects of our work. Applicants from all walks of life and identities, including people of color and LGBTQ+ folks, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Email the following to Caitlin Cromwell at hiring@northernplains.org in either Word or PDF format:

• Cover letter (tell us why you want the job, where you heard about it, your most relevant experience, areas you may need to grow into)
• Resume
• Contact information for 3 professional references

Call (406) 248-1154 with any questions, or email Caitlin Cromwell at hiring@northernplains.org.

The position will remain open until filled.