Community Organizer Job Description

Position at a glance

  • Iowa CCI is looking for a Community Organizer who has a strong desire to meet people where they are at, move people to action, help CCI grow, and win on issues

  • Iowa CCI’s office is located in Des Moines, IA. The organizer would be expected to live in or near Des Moines, and work out of the Des Moines office when not in the field. The organizer should be ready to travel across the state as necessary.

  • This is a full-time position with benefits. The ideal starting date is late November to early December 2023.

  • This position reports to the Farming and Environment Director.

About Iowa CCI

Since 1975, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) has been organizing to build the power of everyday people in Iowa’s rural towns and big cities. We believe everyday people, working together, can be a powerful force for justice and equity. Our members are united in the belief that Iowans deserve policies and an economy that serve the common good, rather than corporations and the wealthy few.

We believe that community organizing is the most effective means for engaging people in true democracy to bring about broad, progressive social change. We want to make our communities more just, more humane, more (small-d) democratic – and we want to make life better for a lot more people. Our current organizing campaigns focus on a broad range of economic, racial, environmental, and political justice issues. Together, we work to put People and Planet First.

Our 3,000+ dues-paying members across the state believe you don't have to stand by and just let things happen. We believe in getting things done that put people before profits and communities before corporations. We view this troubling time as a clear call to action and an opportunity to build political power to shape the Iowa we want and need.

Overview of the Farm & Environment Organizer’s role

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) is searching for a new Farm & Environment Organizer who has a strong desire to meet people where they are at, move people to action, help CCI grow, and win on issues.

The Community Organizer we hire will work with their direct supervisor and organizing team to develop and implement effective organizing strategies and tactics to bring people into CCI campaigns and win positive changes that people can see in their everyday lives.

The organizer would be expected to live in or near Des Moines, Iowa and work out of the Des Moines office when not in the field. The organizer should be ready to travel across the state as necessary.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Building relationships with Iowans who live in small to mid-size towns and rural communities.

  • Making program direction decisions with key leaders, members, and other CCI staff

  • Working on Iowa CCI’s Farm and Environment campaigns which are focused on winning solutions that protect our air, water, and land by:

    • Building support for a food and farm system that works for farmers, workers, eaters, and the environment

    • Stopping the expansion of the factory farm industry ○ Holding factory farms accountable for the pollution they create

    • Blocking attempts to deregulate the agribusiness industry

    • Taking on false energy schemes like CO2 pipelines and factory farm gas

  • Learning and implementing CCI style organizing around but not limited to the following:

    • Base-building and leadership development

    • Fundamentals of community organizing

    • Communicating our work

    • Campaign development and execution

    • Membership development and individual donor fundraising

The Essentials for this job

Hard skills:

  • Able to communicate clearly and directly both internally and externally.

  • Able to talk to lots of people and equally comfortable on the phone, Zoom, or in person.

  • Punctual and prepared for meetings and other commitments.

  • Driven by goals, follows direction, and follows through on tasks or other commitments.

  • Research issues, targets, and locations.

  • Organized and can juggle multiple projects.

Leadership qualities:

  • Knows when to ask questions and get input or help.

  • Looks for and steps into opportunities to drive the work forward.

  • Solutions-oriented and forward thinking.

  • Ability to delegate and support people to take the next step in our work.

Core qualifications:

  • Curious about people and a good active listener.

  • Sees the good in, respects, and appreciates people.

  • Persistent and pragmatic while working towards a goal.

  • Receptive to feedback and a team player.

  • Flexible and comfortable with ambiguity.

  • Creative and willing to try new things.

  • A good sense of humor is a must!

Salary & Benefits:

  • Salary beginning at $40,400.00

  • Full health, dental & vision coverage

  • Generous paid time-off

  • Flexible and stimulating work environment

How to apply:

Email resume, cover letter and three references (we will let candidates know before we contact references) by Monday October 16 to ava@iowacci.org.

Please put ‘Community Organizer’ in the subject line.

Iowa CCI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.