CA Statewide Organizer - Southern

Job Title: Statewide Organizer

Reports To: Base Building and Membership Manager

Status: Non-exempt, Full-time, At-Will

Location: Southern California

Salary: $33.65/hr, 40hrs week

Office Hours

A regular work week at GSA Network is Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Start and end times are flexible, but must be able to attend predetermined team, supervisory, and full staff meetings.  Core Hours are the times that we expect folks working times to overlap to allow for collaborative work opportunities.

10am-2pm on the West Coast (PST)

11am-3pm in the Mountain Division (MST)

12-4pm in the Midwest/Central Division (CST)

1-5pm on the East Coast (EST)

Tentative Start Date: 09/03/24

*We encourage applicants to apply early. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Organization

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network is dedicated to achieving full equality and social justice for all Trans, Queer, and Two-Spirit+ people. We train youth activists to challenge multiple systems of oppression and develop leaders with a vision for broad social justice. We provide resources, training, and support to GSA clubs and emerging networks across the U.S., fostering safe schools and advocating for education justice. You can learn more about our work at www.gsanetwork.org.

Position Overview

We are looking to hire a full time Statewide organizer who is ready to advance their organizing skills and professional development in a non-profit setting. In this role, the organizer will further their skills and experience in community organizing, base building, and program coordination. They will be responsible for outreach and training of LGBTQ student clubs, recruiting middle to high school students (ages 13-18) into GSA Network of CA membership, and supporting GSA youth – led local campaigns. This position will support statewide programming and hold regional priority areas in Southern CA. We are prioritizing hiring in, but not restricted to, individuals who are familiar with and currently living in Southern CA.

Essential Duties and Functions(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

GSA Base Building [Regional/Statewide]: 40%

• Effectively carry out GSA base building strategy in priority areas throughout California
• Engage in repetitive outreach to engage registered GSA clubs, online and in-person, through regular site visits, one-on-ones, GSA trainings, and tabling events.
• Experiment with local field organizing strategies to support the proliferation of GSAs locally and statewide
• Coach GSA advisors and school personnel to support GSA clubs as needed
• Recruit interested youth in CA’s youth organizing and membership initiatives
• Assess political and cultural conditions of the region affecting GSA clubs and Trans Queer Two Spirit youth of color

Member Leader Development & Campaigns: 40%

• Support youth to carry out campaigns that align with GSA Network priority areas
• Assist in the creation of curriculum and tools to support organizing/campaign, political education and social emotional resilience skill development for youth membership
• Train youth membership on facilitation and organizing skills (i.e. one-on-ones, outreach, etc.)
• Facilitate trainings as needed at GSA Network and partner events
• Support summer leadership programming in partnership with other staff leads
• Represent GSA Network in and support youth members to participate in regional coalitions
• Support GSAs, youth members and local partners in rapid response and organizing actions (attend school board meetings, letter writing campaigns, etc.)

Administrative and Team Development: 20%

• Regularly track relevant activities, contacts, and youth participation through GSA Network database
• Submit and keep track of individual expenses and timesheets
• Collaborate on and exercise leadership in Youth Organizing team initiatives and all staff initiatives that allow the organization to respond and adapt in emerging conditions
• Daily communication and use of organizational communication and task management channels (Slack, Box, Asana, Google Calendar, etc.)
• Implement personal work plan with a weekly work plan or task management system, with supervisor’s approval
• Collaborate and assist on communications initiatives

*Leadership Team

GSA Network has developed The Leadership Team as a professional development opportunity for staff and a more equitable decision-making structure than the traditional non-profit. The goal of this team is to create a skills-building structure that will build the next generation of leadership and management capacity within the organization. After 6 months of employment, all staff members in good standing are eligible to join a Leadership Team Cohort.

Required Qualifications

Project Management

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain daily communication and use organizational communication and task management channels and systems, including email, Signal, Slack, Lattice, Box, and Asana.
• Strong organization skills to break down a project into multiple tasks and carry out tasks.
• Ability to work collaboratively towards shared goals, and objectives and independently on tasks.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software (Microsoft Office and Google Drive).

Values and Characteristics

• Experience working with Trans, Queer, and Two-Spirit + youth as a peer or staff organizer
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people from a variety of different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, religious, sexual, gender, and generational backgrounds
• Think and act quickly and strategically
• Demonstrated ability and comfort in taking initiative and seeking guidance to follow through on projects and tasks.
• Flexibility to pivot for unanticipated needs, adapt to new situations and environments and remain calm and graceful under pressure
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, anti-oppression work, youth leadership and Trans, Queer, and Two-Spirit + rights
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evening and weekend events

Physical Demands

We want to make candidates aware of the physical demands required of the positions and welcome requests for reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with a disability to perform essential functions. The functions are:

• constantly operating work equipment, such as a laptop and applications, computer, printer
• participate in Zoom meetings
• communicate with staff and be able to exchange accurate information
• Ability to: use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; and see close, at a distance, and adjust focus.
• Must be able to bend to access files and materials at floor level and use stool to reach materials on high shelving.
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally (throughout Southern California), statewide or nationally. May involve up to 40% annually
• Must be able to manually operate and use a computer, phone, and other office equipment.
• Must be able to work at a desk for a prolonged period of time

Work Environment

We want to make candidates aware of the work environment required of the position and welcome requests for reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with a disability to perform essential functions.

• Position is remote. Employees need to be based in Southern California.
• Remote employees will be provided with a computer, mouse, keyboard, desk, chair, printer, ergonomic equipment, and other office equipment as necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• A monthly stipend will be provided for internet and cell phone use.
• Employees must attend mandatory staff retreats, either in-person or virtually. If in-person, retreat location may be inside or outside, and the noise level may range from quiet to loud.
• Must be able to communicate clearly in English in complex contexts (e.g., negotiations)
• Must be able to able to read documents, enter and review data, and route mail to staff if needed

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Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Because this is a new role, duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without formal notice.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is $33.65/hr in accordance with our equitable hiring practices that strive for internal parity. This salary is non-negotiable*.

*In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable beyond the listed amount. Similarly, there are no title negotiations. Staff are eligible for salary increases annually and promotions based on organizational need and budget, equitable adjustments and cost of living.

Benefits are generous, with fully paid employee coverage and 75% dependent coverage for health, vision, and dental; and long-term disability insurance. Paid time off includes sick days, vacation, and holidays. In addition, we close our offices for two weeks in December along with quarterly seasonal breaks.

• Medical and dental benefits for employee and eligible dependents available on the 1st of the month following hire date
• Retirement savings account (403b) with an organization contribution
• Ergonomic Assessment and Equipment for home office
• Three weeks paid vacation; four weeks in subsequent years (on an accrual basis)
• Fifteen sick days per year (on an accrual basis)
• Two personal days per year
• Twelve paid holidays
• Professional development initiatives for growth
• Paid Family Leave for gestational, non-gestational and adoptive parents

Application

Apply via BambooHR at gsanetwork.org with a Cover Letter and Resume. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis with an ideal start date of September 3rd, 2024.  Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will not be able to respond to individual calls or emails regarding the status of your application.

Applicants should answer one of following question in their cover letter:

1. How do you balance the need for immediate action with the long-term vision of social justice work? Share an example where you successfully navigated this balance.
2. How do you stay grounded and centered while navigating the challenges of organizing against anti-trans violence? Please share a strategy or practice that helps you maintain resilience.

Commitment to Equity

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that communities most impacted by gender & racial oppression must be centered in the work we do. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from Black and Indigenous women of color, Trans and gender non-conforming people, LGB people, and Disabled people of color, working class people for all of our positions. Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at GSA Network where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Commitment to Safety

To provide a safe work environment for employees, program participants, partners, and our communities, GSA Network requires that all organizing staff who perform in-person activities with external populations be vaccinated for Covid-19. Proof of vaccination status is required within 30 days of start of employment and at least 30 days prior to in-person activities. GSA Network allows for exemptions to COVID-19 immunization requirements as a reasonable accommodation to assist any employee who has a qualifying medical condition that is a contraindication to the vaccination, or who objects based on sincerely held religious beliefs and/or practices.