Lead Organizer (Power Building Team)

About Long Beach Forward:
Long Beach Forward focuses on strengthening the power of organizations and
community members by providing them with the tools and training necessary to be
heard, be influential, and drive real change in Long Beach. We are motivated by the
belief that everyone in Long Beach should be able to influence the decisions that impact
their lives and the knowledge that oftentimes low-income communities of color are left
out of decision making.

Long Beach Forward provides leadership, strategy, communications, and convening
support to multiple campaigns in order to advance the vision that Long Beach will be a
place where race and income do not determine one’s future—it’s a community where
everyone is safe, connected, and healthy. Long Beach Forward was established in 2010
to coordinate the collaborative efforts of The California Endowment’s Building Healthy
Communities initiative in Long Beach. Long Beach Forward now partners with over 50
community-based organizations and facilitates or participates in multiple collaborative
groups and campaigns, including the role of Local Support Network for the Best Start
Central Long Beach initiative.

Long Beach Forward is a hybrid work environment with remote and in-person working
options. Occasional work and meetings will be required in-person. Per the health and
safety protocols, all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 60 days of
employment with the organization.

About the role:
The Power Building Lead Organizer will lead and guide movement strategies addressing
housing justice, environmental justice, and civic engagement issues as part of the Power
Building team within Long Beach Forward. The Lead Organizer will play a key role in
leadership development, base building, campaign planning, and coalition building among
a diverse set of community members and community-based organizations, with the
long-term goals of (1) building community power in land use decision-making and (2)
achieving healthy, equitable land use improvements that enable low-income communities
of color to thrive in place.

Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain relationships with community members, organizing partners,
  government staff, and elected officials through regular one-on-one meetings.
• Develop, facilitate, and/or participate in popular/political education workshops and
  trainings to build community knowledge and skills of community members and
  partner organizations.
• Participate and lead coalition building efforts with allied community organizations
  and leaders to work together towards a common goal, inclusive of recruitment,
  relationship building, structure building, campaign planning, and mobilization.
• Develop the leadership skills and knowledge of community members through
  one-on-ones, identified training opportunities, and campaign activities with an eye
  towards LBF’s leadership pathways.
• Lead and facilitate policy development activities with community members,
  community organizers, and policy experts to build knowledge of and co-develop
  policy solutions to relevant issues.
• Supervise full-time and part-time organizers and interns to provide leadership,
  management, and coaching support.
• Participate in LBF organizational teams and actively contribute to their
  development and functioning in a healthy and collaborative manner.
• Represent Long Beach Forward in related coalitions and external initiatives and
  connect the work of those coalitions back to relevant staff, partner organizations,
  and community members. Where appropriate, build bridges for collaboration and
  intersection across initiatives or issue areas.
• Participate in Long Beach Forward’s culture of philanthropy, including individual
  giving outreach.
• Embody community-identified priorities and organizational positions and practices
  in interactions with community members, partner organizations, key decision
  makers, and funders.
• Contribute to organizational development and culture building by participating in
  organizational planning sessions and all-staff meetings, serving on internal
  committees, attending identified learning sessions and trainings, and regularly
  conducting one-on-ones with colleagues.
• Other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Strong community/union organizing experience including experience with
  community organizing strategies and tactics such as organizing conversations,
  one-on-ones, leadership development, base building, and direct action.
• Strong group facilitation skills.
• Experience with policy advocacy and development, in particular with housing and
  land use issues.
• Ability to build productive relationships with people of all backgrounds and
  professional experiences, including residents, organizational staff and leaders,
  and decision makers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, both in writing and
  verbally, relaying complicated information in a straightforward, culturally, and
  linguistically appropriate manner.
• Ability and willingness to build new relationships and work with diverse groups,
  especially in communities represented in Central, West, and North Long Beach.
• Alignment with Long Beach Forward’s vision, mission, values, and principles.
• Familiarity with the political, economic, and social landscapes and dynamics within
  the City of Long Beach.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, manage
  own work and time, and be accountable for performance.
• Technologically proficient, especially with email, internet, social media, the Google
  Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Reliable access to transportation (car not required).
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Application Instructions:
To apply, complete the online application and email a PDF version of your resume to
ariel@lbforward.org. The position is open until filled. Applications received by the end of
the day (11:59PM) on Sunday, May 28th will be prioritized.
For more information, please visit: www.lbforward.org. Long Beach Forward, Inc. is an
equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition,
the organization will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories
in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative
for Hiring. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and seek to hire qualified
staff who reflect the rich diversity of the community we serve.