Lead Community Organizer Bozeman

Forward Montana is seeking a temporary full-time Lead Community Organizer in Bozeman to support our grassroots campaigns to make direct change locally. This position will be responsible for hitting metrics processing voter registration data field efforts (like tabling phone calls and door knocking) fellowship management and volunteer engagement.

The ideal candidate is someone who understands the power of the youth vote. When young people turn out to vote our policies reflect the values of our generation! Applicants should have a passion for making change and working on a breadth of civic and political projects that support FMTs mission and vision.

Applicants should be comfortable in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to stay flexible with an eye toward new opportunities. All staff at Forward Montana are expected to participate in field efforts during election season (like making phone calls and knocking on doors).

Who We Are

Forward Montana founded in 2004 is the states largest youth-led youth-focused civic engagement organization. We strive to transform government and communities to be just sustainable and equitable while working toward a future where Montana celebrates and reflects the diversity of our generation. We support young people to build power with and for each other to create lasting change.

What Youll Do

The Lead Community Organizer reports to the Senior Organizing Manager and is responsible for the following:

• Field Shifts & Issue Education: Organize outreach efforts to gather and promote voter registration voter mobilization and issue advocacy that reaches our target constituency (Montanans ages 18-34). Conduct field shifts for up to 8 hours at a time including door-to-door and field canvassing tabling and giving presentations in classrooms in the community and to student & community groups.

• Base-building: Identify recruit train organize and develop volunteers learning to build & foster relationships with community members and peers. Forward Montanas mission includes empowering young Montanans to get involved in elections and advocacy which means everything we do should be viewed through the lens of engaging young Montanans!

• Managing Fellows: Manage and support fellows with an eye towards professional development and overall success. This includes working with direct reports to establish goals evaluate their accomplishments celebrate their successes and take appropriate disciplinary action if needed with support from your Senior Organizing Manager. Support the hiring process and make recommendations led by your Senior Organizing Manager.

• Administrative Tasks: Conduct quality control and data entry of all collected voter registration forms volunteer shifts pledges-to-vote and more. Keep forms organized and turn in all forms to the appropriate county elections offices. Other duties as assigned.

Must-Haves Heres what success looks like

• Drive to achieve results across field & mobilization programs: You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles (think: thunderstorms during an outdoor event or running out of voter registration forms during a big event). You set a high bar and meet it because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions;

• Actively Anti-Racist: You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity equity inclusion and justice with interns fellows members and within staff. Youre committed to amplifying young voices to advocate for a more progressive just Montana. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome reflect on and act on feedback with an eye towards continuous learning about race ability and other lines of difference;

• Creativity & Innovation: You are creative & innovative when developing programs. Youre flexible adaptable and willing to try new things. Youre down to wear a costume not afraid to talk to strangers can conduct fieldwork for up to 8 hours at a time hand out stickers that say Give a Shit and are committed to finding ways to make new connections.

• Flexibility & Adaptability: You are able to shift quickly to meet the needs of the ever-changing political world and work to implement the changes. You have a history of going with the flow and being able to adapt quickly to change.

Nice To Haves

• Experience either professional or voluntary with fieldwork is not required but experience is always a plus! We can train and work with anyone on the specifics but you will need to bring the drive to learn!

• Familiarity with the local community and existing relationships with youth student groups and organizations is always appreciated.

• Management experience either at a job a volunteer position or through a student club - management skills can come in a variety of ways and wed love to hear about your experience!

If you were the Lead Community Organizer right now you would be...

• Cultivating new relationships with volunteers to participate in your upcoming field efforts through 1:1s at a local coffee shop

• Tabling to collect voter registration at a local community event educating young people on the Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts ballot initiative and encouraging them to vote

• Strategizing with the regional team about how to tackle an upcoming voter registration or canvassing goal
  
  

Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color LGBTQ2S people women and people with disabilities to apply.

Logistics

• This a temporary position that ends December 31 2026

• You must be comfortable working unconventional hours including nights and weekends

• You must have access to reliable transportation (a valid drivers license is required)

• This position includes both in-person and virtual components due to the size of the state and where staff are located

• You must be comfortable working being managed and building relationships with our statewide team remotely

This is an exempt position starting at $50500 annually. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits for temporary employees:

• 100% Employer covered health insurance basic life insurance and employee assistance program

• Opt-in Employee paid dental vision accident and term life insurance

• Monthly technology and wellness reimbursements

• Professional development funds

• Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 4 weeks of annual leave per year

• Paid family leave

• Nine paid holidays and winter break
  
  

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position why you think youd be the right fit for Bozeman Lead Community Organizer at Forward Montana and what skillsets youd be excited to grow & develop in this position.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however preference will be given to applications who submit materials by January 9th so that we can start interviews by January 12th. The preferred start date for this position is February 2nd.