CT Community Organizer

About Us

Katal is a community organization that works to strengthen the people, groups, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice for everyone.  We envision a world where all communities have the resources and power to exercise self-determination and participate meaningfully in the democratic process. As a community organization and collaborative partner, we build leadership and organizing capacity of neighborhood residents, as well as organizers, advocates, and community groups, to effectively drive and shape systemic change.

Job Description

The Community Organizer is focused on building the membership base and developing leaders from the membership. To facilitate outreach, engagement, recruitment, member development, and, of course, actions, the Community Organizer uses traditional community organizing tactics and digital/online organizing tactics, including use of online action tools, database management, phone, video calls, emails, text, social media, etc.

**Responsibilities/Essential Functions**

• Building a strong member base of people impacted by the issues Katal is working on
• Developing members into leaders that play prominent roles in campaign planning.
• Preparing members and leaders for public speaking and media interviews
• Facilitating members to plan, organize, and lead meetings.
• Mobilizing members, supporters, and volunteers for actions, including supporting the work of partner organizations.
• Utilizing the database to track outreach and engagement.
• Developing materials -- including flyers, signs, materials, social media posts, emails, and more -- for virtual and in-person outreach, education, lobby days, and actions.
• Engaging in legislative advocacy and participation in public forums, coalition meetings, conferences, and virtual lobby days.
• Participating in coalitions across Connecticut.
• Building relationships with new organizations.
• Coordinating with Katal organizers in Connecticut and New York.
• Taking notes, tracking, and reporting on activities – written and verbal.
• Sharing infrastructure/administrative responsibilities with other staff.
• Work on some evenings and weekends required.

**Experience, Education and Skills**

• Passionate about Katal’s mission and campaigns.
• At least 3 years community organizing experience.
• Online / digital organizing experience a plus, but not required.
• Comfortable using online (tech) tools and applications, such as Google products and some social media platforms.
• Seeks out opportunities to learn and grow.
• Enjoy working as part of a team.
• A problem solver, hungry to dive into new challenges.
• Excellent communicator and great listener.
• Must feel comfortable in using tech in their organizing or be quickly adaptable to learning.
• Motivated and driven.
• Attentive to details.

**Core Competencies**

• Communication: Clearly conveys information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Strategic Decision Making: Obtains information and identifies key issues and relationships relevant to achieve a long-range goal or vision.
• Strategic Communications: Demonstrates a clear understanding of the organization’s vision/mission and develops a communication strategy to achieve organizational objectives.
• Formal Presentation: Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups when given time to prepare.
• Gains Commitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifies one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals.
• Adaptability: Adjusts effectively as work dynamics change and maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the environment.
• Contributes to Team Success: Actively participates as a member of the team toward achieving its vision and the completion of goals.
• Initiating Action: Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives and takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required.
• Maintains Situational & Informational Awareness: Tracks and digests new information related to the organization’s work and issues areas and sharing insights and questions with the team.
• Tenacity: Maintains a position or plan of action until the desired objective is obtained or is no longer reasonably attainable.
• Work Ethic: Sets high standards of performance for self and others; assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments and tasks. Understands and utilizes work tools effectively.

Physical Factors:

• Ability to stand, walk, lift, or carry up to 10 lbs. while outdoors.
• Ability to sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time.

Working Requirements (Travel Requirements, Overtime, Shifts, On-Call, etc.):

• Must attend meetings within the community and with other organizations/community partners.
• Some travel required from time to time between Brooklyn and Hartford offices, and throughout the states of Connecticut and New York.
• Flexible to working requirements. Some evenings and weekends required to attend events, meetings, or protests within the community.