Overview
Maine People’s Alliance (MPA) is a community of Maine people, from all different backgrounds, who believe that we can live in a world where everyone has what they need, everyone contributes what they can, and nobody is left behind.
We are currently accepting applications for a Housing Organizer. This is a full-time community organizing position (location flexible within Maine), with responsibilities including:
Coordinating the activities of the Housing Justice Maine Coalition (planning/facilitating meetings, building organizational membership in the coalition, supporting base-building/organizing programs for coalition priorities, etc.);
Engaging coalition partners and MPA members in local, statewide and federal campaigns for housing justice;
Conducting regular outreach to low-income tenants to recruit impacted people into housing campaign work & conducting regular 1:1 meetings with tenants;
Providing training and leadership opportunities that help build a committed and empowered cadre of volunteers, impacted by housing injustice, who are skilled at helping to lead our policy campaigns; and
Leveraging online communications and social media (Twitter, Facebook) to enhance on-the-ground organizing efforts.
A qualified applicant should possess:
A commitment to social justice and building the power of regular people to make change;
Some knowledge of Maine’s housing crisis;
Problem-solving perspective and ability to work well in teams;
Self-motivation and an ability to successfully work independently, as part of a team, and as a team leader;
Demonstrated ability to build relationships of trust and mutual respect that move people into action;
Ability to navigate obstacles, set priorities, and move forward multiple projects;
Some experience with meeting facilitation; and
A willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and occasional weekends.
Experience that is helpful but not necessary:
Direct, lived experience with injustice (of any kind) that anchors a desire for progressive social change
Experience in door-to-door organizing, or with building rapport with members of the public (on the street, over the phone, at their doors, in customer service, etc.)
At least one year of community organizing experience or community-building work
Fluency in Spanish, French, Arabic, Somali or any language besides English is a plus
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
The location for this position is flexible. The Housing Organizer reports to MPA’s Organizing Director, Genevieve Lysen. The role is part of the MPA staff union (see union contract here) and offers a competitive benefits package and a salary range of $36,000 – $55,000, depending on experience.
MPA is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to equity and inclusion. Core to our work is an understanding of the multiple ways in which society is constructed to disadvantage and marginalize people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, native peoples, women, low-income people, people with disabilities, and others. We believe that underrepresented and marginalized communities must be centered in the work we do and we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or from these communities.
About Maine People's Alliance
The mission of Maine People’s Alliance is to create a world where everyone has what they need, contributes what they can, and no one is left behind.
By forming community with people from all walks of life, we build power, inspire new leaders, heal divisions—particularly across lines of race—and win campaigns that change what is politically possible.
With more than 32,000 members across Maine, MPA is the state's largest community action organization.
Over the past three decades, MPA has worked to build a powerful statewide grassroots movement for progressive social change, serving as a leader in state campaigns for expanded health care access, toxics use reduction, affordable housing, universal home care, clean elections reform, racial justice, immigrant rights, a higher minimum wage and tax fairness, among others.
MPA is dedicated to providing Maine people with the tools, knowledge, skills and opportunity to become involved in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.