The Organizer is a full-time, non-exempt position in the Real Change Advocacy Department reporting to the Advocacy Director. The Organizer works with the Real Change vendor community and allies to build powerful relationships across class and take action for economic, social, and racial justice. This position is responsible for supporting the Advocacy priorities as directed by the Department Director. Some evenings and weekend work is required.

Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project was founded in 1994 to offer immediate employment options for poor and homeless adults and challenge the structures that create poverty. Real Change serves our vendors and unsheltered folks through three integrated approaches:

Vendor Program: We meet vendors where they are, providing immediate income and job training. Additional opportunities include advanced sales trainings, leadership positions, resource navigation and paid work with our Homeless Speakers Bureau and editorial department.

Real Change News: As North America’s leading street paper, we provide work for more than 500 people who choose to sell our newspaper. We regularly win awards for journalistic excellence. Our content focuses on economic, social and racial justice and human interest and investigative stories.

Real Change Advocacy: Real Change leverages relationships between vendors and readers to increase opportunities for homeless and low-income people to positively impact their lives.

Real Change is currently a majority white organization, with an all-white leadership team. Poverty and homelessness disproportionately affects people of color, which is reflected in our Vendor population. We are actively working on equity and inclusion through policy review, caucusing, and our strategic plan workgroups. It is a key area of growth and an identified priority moving forward. We are committed to fostering and supporting a workplace culture inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical ability, political affiliation, religion and any other non-merit factor. We equally value and strive to support all employees and job candidates.

Working under COVID: This position is required to be partially in office, currently 3 days each week. Real Change takes COVID very seriously; we require masks, work schedules are staggered to limit the number of people in the office, we utilize air purifiers, have a daily sanitation routine, use plexiglass around high traffic areas, and monitor staff for any Covid symptoms. The job description represents current work duties, and may shift some during Covid so that we can effectively meet our mission and serve our Vendor population.

The Organizer position is Grant Funded for up to 2 years with the anticipation of continuing after.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

1. Vendor Engagement (50%)
• Support leadership development and empowerment of low-income and homeless vendors through facilitation of ongoing engagement, training and public speaking events
• Support the Vendor Organizing Committee
• Recruit, engage, and move vendors to action for external and internal Advocacy campaigns and opportunities
• Weekly calls to vendors for check ins and advocacy opportunities

2. Organizing and Advocacy (30%)
• Direct logistics and coordinate involvement at public events, rallies and demonstrations
• Coordinate homeless voter registration efforts
• Track participation and meeting attendance, manage member database and contact lists
• Represent RC with partner organizing opportunities with SKCCH and WLIHA

3. Homeless Speakers Bureau (HSB) (10%)
• Recruit vendors to HSB
• Direct logistics and coordinate speakers for HSB events
• Support speakers in developing talking points and feeling confident in front of diverse settings
• Attend HSB events as needed

4. Other Duties (10%)
• Maintain regular sales desk schedule in Vendor program
• Attend department and all staff meetings
• Serve on one cross-department Strategic Plan committee
• Perform other tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:
• Minimum two years of experience in community organizing and legislative advocacy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and using a computer
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work as part of a team and independently
• Proven ability to inspire people to take action
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task
• Experience working across race and class lines in building community relationships internally and externally

Compensation: Salary range is $36,275 – $38,000. Benefit package includes Health and Dental coverage, generous PTO – 3 weeks’ vacation, 2 weeks’ sick, 10 holidays, 403B Retirement Fund with a 4% Real Change contribution, flexible work schedule and professional development funds.

Accessibility: Real Change office is not explicitly scent-free, uses fluorescent lights, and welcomes pets. There are accessible bathroom stalls on both floors. Our office on the second floor is accessible via an elevator and there are two steps up to access the Advocacy area in our office on the first floor.