“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” – Dolores Huerta, community organizer
BILLINGS ORGANIZER
Northern Plains seeks a Billings Community Organizer who will develop the leadership of Billings and Yellowstone County residents and help them build collective power around the issues that matter most to their community. This Organizer works with our Yellowstone County chapter to recruit and train leaders, build relationships, develop power analyses, and support grassroots campaigns driven by members.
Our ideal candidate is motivated by people, community, and making change, and has demonstrated tenacity in the face of challenges or setbacks. This is a highly relational, field-based role – you’ll spend the bulk of your time meeting people, developing leaders, strategizing collectively, and helping turn community concerns into organized action.
WHO WE ARE
Northern Plains is a grassroots organization of more than 3,000 farmers, ranchers, and community members. We believe in the leadership and wisdom of everyday people, and organize to address the issues affecting our families, communities, and livelihoods. Our work focuses on building the power of Montanans to shape the decisions that impact their lives. Northern Plains members learn how to build relationships with their neighbors, move decision-makers around shared goals, and build a democracy from the bottom up.
For over fifty years, Northern Plains has built a powerful grassroots movement for people in rural places, towns, and cities, leading statewide campaigns on clean water, family agriculture, landowner protections from extractive development, and voting rights and voter access, among others.
LOCATION: This position is based in Billings, Montana. We especially encourage applicants who already live in Billings or have strong ties to the community. While this is an in-person position, Northern Plains offers flexible work arrangements.
Northern Plains is a team of hard-working, dedicated people who value both excellence and a healthy work-life balanced. Our LEED Platinum-certified office in Billings is full of natural light, frequent laughter, and the occasional visit by our furry, four-legged friends.
The Billings Organizer reports to a Lead Organizer and works closely with members, leaders, and staff from across Montana.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Build powerful relationships with members, staff, and community members based on trust and a well-defined understanding of each other’s desires and interests;
- Develop the organizing skills, leadership, and commitment of members and leaders across our Yellowstone County base;
- Work with members and leaders to build and execute a strategic campaign on an issue of their choosing;
- Serve as the lead organizer for Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council, Northern Plains’ local Yellowstone County chapter;
- Organize public actions and meetings with elected leaders to advance local campaigns and build the chapter’s power;
- Build and maintain your understanding of the power landscape in Billings and any issues relevant to local campaigns;
- Participate in grassroots fundraising efforts;
- Plan effective meetings and events;
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing;
- Recruit new members to Northern Plains;
- Uphold our member-led model of grassroots and democratic decision-making.
WHO YOU ARE
- You are committed to building the power of regular people through member-led, grassroots community organizing;
- You embrace Northern Plains’ mission, issues, and values;
- You are a good listener and are capable of establishing rapport with people from different backgrounds;
- You have strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- You are a quick learner, eager to develop your own leadership and help others do the same;
- You have a highly motivated, proactive work style with excellent organizational skills and follow through;
- You’re capable of working collaboratively with teams of both staff and member leaders;
- You are open to evaluation and direction from your supervisor and peers; and
- You have the flexibility to travel and be away overnight.
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.
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 starts at $46,000. We offer options for fully and partially employer-paid health insurance, 20 days of 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.
TO APPLY
The deadline to apply for this position is Wednesday, July 15 at 5:00 PM.
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.