Detroit Action (Detroit Action, a project of Tides Advocacy, the Detroit Action Education Fund, a project of Tides Center, and the Michigan Action SuperPAC) is a grassroots member-led, community-based organization fighting for political power, racial and economic justice for working-class Detroiters. Our mission is to build the power of individuals and families to challenge the root cause of poverty, advance justice, promote human development and expand working-class Black and Brown Michiganders’ ability to improve our communities through leadership development, community organizing and civic engagement.
POSITION SUMMARY: This position will be responsible for representing the Detroit Action and Michigan Action political and policy program in our targeted neighborhoods ahead of the 2024 local and statewide elections. Electoral Canvassers will engage Detroiters on the upcoming election through face-to-face conversations and potentially by phone, discussing current issues in their community, the upcoming elections, voter registration, and absentee voting. Under the mentorship and supervision of the Detroit Action Leadership Team, Electoral Canvassers will be trained to converse with people about registering to vote, what issues matter to them, and mobilizing other voters in August and November.
Additionally, canvassers will participate in an ongoing training program that will teach participants how to motivate others toward taking action, learn the history of and challenges facing the social justice movement, and develop a systems-based analysis of the power structures at the local, state, and federal level.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Execute yearly political strategy by working with canvassers, organizers, and senior leadership team on voter engagement, registration, and absentee ballot “chasing.”
- Accurate data collection.
- Engage residents in deep conversations around voting, laws, lawmakers, campaigns, and other organizational priorities.
- Help people take action on progressive policy demands by sending letters, emails, making phone calls, signing petitions, attending meetings, etc.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend staff meetings, events, and actions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Commitment to social and racial justice.
- Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to organize complex ideas for others to understand.
- Ability to quickly learn new skills and tools.
- Ability to handle multiple sensitive assignments in a timely manner.
- Creative and outside-the-box thinking.
- Friendly and respectful attitude.
- Comfortable learning and using technologies.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
The Electoral Canvasser reports to the Field Director and is a part of the Canvass Team. Electoral Canvassers work collaboratively with staff, contractors, vendors, and other partners on a weekly basis to maintain program efficiency.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Significant time standing, walking, or moving while going door-to-door for canvassing.
- Must have a reliable smartphone to use daily.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- The position is a full-time temporary position that works an average of 40 hours per week; required to work some weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
- This position is community-based, so please be prepared to work in all weather conditions.
- The assigned workspace is a given turf within the community where your work will be completed by talking to residents, getting forms filled out, and/or inputting data on your smartphone.
The starting salary for this position is $23/hourly with opportunities for advancement. Exempt employees are expected to work the appropriate and necessary time to complete key assignments and related tasks on schedule.
Detroit Action is an equal opportunity employer. We assure equal treatment in hiring selection, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and other personnel practices and terms or conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, height, weight, marital status, genetic testing status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender status, or any other protected class established by all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
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