Who We Are
COPAL, Communities Organizing Latine Power and Action, is a member-based organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Grounded in the Principles of Jemez, COPAL is committed to continue building meaningful relationships that transcend both identity and geographical boundaries. COPAL envisions a Minnesota where everyone lives with dignity and respect.
Why You'll Love Working Here
Our greatest asset is the dedication and commitment of our board, staff, members, and interns, as well as our valued volunteers, partners, coalition members, and leaders of the Latine community. With a clear mission and vision of a better future for all, we can mobilize people to bring about transformation and lead social, political, and economic change.
Wages & Benefits
$24 - $25 per hour; 8 paid holidays; stipend for cell phone use; generous paid time off policy; affordable health, dental and vision insurance; employer paid term life and disability coverage; health savings account; competitive retirement plan with matching contribution, immediate eligibility, and vesting; 12 week fully paid parental leave.
Schedule
This is a hybrid position that will have a schedule of approximately four days per week in-person, and one day per week working remotely. This position works during normal business hours but may include evening and/or weekend hours. This position also requires travel to and from community settings, as well as shelters and the homes of program participants and their families.
A Typical Day in the Life...
A typical day as COPAL's Lead Organizer provides an opportunity to lead and support campaigns for social change in the Mankato Regional Area to support COPAL's efforts toward building Latine power across the state of Minnesota. Responsibilities will include the following:
- Utilizing the tools of community organizing to execute campaigns for social change, including canvassing (door knocks and phone banks), one-to-one meetings, and leadership training.
- Developing deep relationships with Latine Minnesotans and allies.
- Supporting leadership development to achieve campaign goals.
- Identifying, recruiting, training, and moving community members into regular action and positions of leadership throughout campaigns.
- Leading a member-based committee.
- Planning and leading effective organizing meetings and trainings to build community, develop leadership, and generate movement.
- Creating and carrying out a work plan to achieve programmatic and organizational goals.
- Supporting the COPAL South-Central Regional Office in its logistical needs.
- Supporting the South-Central Regional Office Director in completing administrative tasks.
- Enforcing all testing rules and regulations while maintaining a controlled environment during the test
- Setting up computers for testing, monitoring test progress, and assisting test takers with any technical difficulties.
- Safeguarding testing materials and maintaining confidentiality of test questions and answers.
- Offering support to test takers by answering questions related to the test process and providing clarity on any instructions.
- Reporting any irregularities, violations of testing policies, or suspicious activities to the appropriate team members.
Who You Are
- You have at least one year of experience organizing with people, whether through community organizing, electoral politics, issue advocacy, or active community leadership.
- You have previous experience initiating conversations with community members about their stories, hopes, fears, and challenges, and a willingness to be bold in conversations with strangers and volunteers.
- You have experience facilitating meetings, trainings, and/or group gatherings that move people to action.
- You are fluent in both the Spanish and English languages.
- You demonstrate familiarity with organizing theories and a desire for constant learning.
- You are accountable, detail-oriented, and possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
- You are computer literate and have previous experience with MS Office Suite.
- You are a relational leader and good team player with the ability to work with a broad team of staff and grassroots leaders and motivate diverse groups of people.
- You show up for co-workers with consistent follow-through and clear communication.
- You ask questions and for direction as needed.
- You can work flexible hours, including some evening and weekend hours.
- You demonstrate a commitment to economic, racial, and gender justice and commitment to progressive political change.
- You demonstrate a commitment to COPAL's goals, embracing the Jemez principles for participatory democratic organizing with a deep investment in our shared agenda for change.
- You have a valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet COPAL's driving record requirements. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.
Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of COPAL. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, disability, marital status, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or a protected veteran's status.
Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the recruiting process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.
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