Job Announcement: La Crosse Election Organizer

Wisconsin Conservation Voters is seeking to add to our team of passionate, energetic, and outgoing community organizers who use their skills to engage Wisconsinites to fight for climate justice and protect Wisconsin’s air, land, water, and democracy. We are hiring a full-time, temporary Election Organizer position that will be based in La Crosse, Wisconsin starting in summer of 2022 through April 2023.

To view a PDF of this job description, click here.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters engages voters to protect Wisconsin’s environment. To achieve that, Wisconsin Conservation Voters advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-conservation candidates who will champion our priority issues. Learn more about us at conservationvoters.org.

You will work closely with regional organizers, the Organizing Director, and the Deputy Director to build deep, effective programs and develop relationships in key state legislative districts within the La Crosse area, with an emphasis on students at UW-La Crosse, that will result in the election of conservation champions on November 8, 2022 and in April 2023. Specifics of the job include:

• Increasing our volunteer base, building infrastructure to support those volunteers, and mobilizing volunteers to win elections.
• Mentoring, training, and building skills and dedication of Student Fellows and volunteers.
• Recruiting and maintaining teams of volunteers to run relational voter programs to engage a wider network of voters.
• Leading in-person door canvasses, phone and text banks, and a mix of other innovative virtual and in-person tactics to engage voters on conservation issues.
• Creating a community of volunteers and activists in a physical and digital space.
• Researching candidates running for local office for April 2023 and working closely with the Organizing Director and Deputy Director to vet and interview candidates for potential endorsement.
• Building our brand, reputation, and goodwill with members, activists, volunteers, local leaders, and partner groups.
• Recording and tracking data and reporting progress.
  

To succeed in this job, you:

• Are a connector and a people person. You are genuinely interested in fostering relationships and understanding people's interests and stories.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills. You are able to work well in a team and manage projects that require input from multiple staff and across departments.
• Are comfortable working with people of different political ideologies, racial identities, ages, and socio-economic differences.
• Share our commitment to centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation.
• Are creative and ambitious, always seeking out new ways to expand the organization’s base of support and engage community members in its programs.
• Value learning, are curious, and like to seek out new ideas and opportunities for personal growth and improvement.
• Are flexible and adaptive, and can be an effective organizer in an uncertain election season and adapt to the changes that COVID-19 may still bring.
• Are excited to engage voters to protect Wisconsin’s water, air, land, and democracy.

We know there are great candidates who may not check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven't considered. If that applies to you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Work experience: One year of experience in community organizing and/or one election cycle of mobilization work preferred, but not required.

Skills: Demonstrated experience and success with community or student engagement; ability to work well in a dynamic environment; ability to handle multiple projects at a time; understanding of, or ability to learn quickly about, environmental issues and politics and their potential to engage the public; passion for Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ mission and work.

Technical skills: Comfortable with databases, Microsoft Office, Google suite, voter contact apps, and Zoom; good writing skills and social media experience preferred.

Physical requirements: Ability to drive, canvass neighborhoods (knock doors), set up and break down folding tables and presentation materials, carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds, and perform routine office duties such as typing at a computer and using a telephone.

Conditions: The position will be located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, specific location within the La Crosse area is flexible. We will offer a stipend for cell phone. You will need a smartphone, and will have a choice between a provided laptop or a computer stipend. This job will require regular travel within the City of La Crosse and surrounding communities and a valid driver's license is required. Evening and weekend work is required, and during busy times you should have the flexibility to work hours exceeding regular office hours to get the job done.

The position can be full or part-time and is temporary through April 2023.

Salary and benefits: Salary range is $45,000-$48,000 FTE with new staff rarely starting at the top of the range. We provide health and dental coverage, cell phone/utility stipend, and paid time off, with exact benefits dependent upon the number of hours worked per week – this can be a full-time or part-time position. The ability to work from home is required.

Reports to: Organizing Director

Please note that as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, Wisconsin Conservation Voters employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our commitment to racial justice and equity: We recognize that historic and current systems and decisions – including within the conservation community – have created injustice. Through our work we confront these injustices and fight for an equitable balance of power. We hold ourselves accountable to being inclusive and equitable in our own actions and within our organization. Read more about our commitment in our Guiding Principles here.

Email your resume, cover letter, and three references to apply@conservationvoters.org, with the title “La Crosse Election Organizer” in the subject line. This position has a flexible start date in August 2022. We are accepting applications until the position is filled.