Asheville Housing Organizer

MountainTrue is seeking an Asheville Housing Organizer to support our Block Party campaign. This campaign aims to legalize more housing options lower the cost of housing reduce the displacement of marginalized communities and ensure that all Asheville residents can find stable housing that fits their needs and budgets. Reporting to the Housing and Transportation Director this is a part-time grant funded position for an estimated 20 hours per week and based in the office in Asheville North Carolina. This position is funded through 2026 and could be extended pending additional funding.

The Position
The Housing Organizer works in support of MountainTrues Block Party campaign to support housing policy reform for the City of Asheville focused to remove barriers to building middle housing in parts of the city that are suitable for denser development

Key Roles and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully an individual must perform these essential duties satisfactorily:

70% - Organizing Advocacy Communications and Outreach (Supportive Functions)

• Collaborate with the Housing and Transportation Director Organizing Manager and partner organizations to build public support for the Block Party campaign.
• Identify recruit and empower community members to become effective advocates for housing policy reform.
• Educate the public about the benefits of middle housing through written and digital communications including blog posts social media petitions letters to the editor and email communications.
• Engage campaign supporters by connecting them with appropriate opportunities for involvement including yard sign and merchandise distribution event participation and preparation for effective public comment.
• Organize and implement grassroots strategies that mobilize community members and contribute to measurable housing policy outcomes.
  
  

30% - Engagement Events and Volunteer Opportunities

• Plan organize and support engagement events and volunteer opportunities that recruit activate and retain campaign supporters.
• Coordinate volunteers and community members for campaign-related activities including events outreach efforts and public actions.
• Support event logistics and on-site facilitation to ensure positive inclusive and effective participant experiences.
• Conduct follow-up with event participants and volunteers to encourage ongoing involvement in the campaign.

Qualifications

Required Skills Experience and Qualifications

• Proven experience working with communities on issue-based campaigns through grassroots on-the-ground organizing and online mobilization.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong relationships with community members peers organizational leadership and external partners.
• Experience planning leading and coordinating projects; collaborating with peers to achieve outcomes; and tracking and reporting progress to managers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely and present information to external audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with others to achieve shared goals and objectives.

Additional Qualifications

• Commitment to creating more housing choices in the City of Asheville as a strategy to both improve affordability and reduce urban sprawl
• Commitment to racial and social equity inclusion and empowerment within our organization and in our work with partners and communities
• Familiarity with Asheville North Carolina and the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains
• Comfortable with public speaking and engaging groups of community members

Additional Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with housing policy including zoning land use and regulatory factors affecting workforce and affordable housing development
• Experience using online advocacy tools or CRMs such as EveryAction Bonterra Action Network Salsa Labs Blue State Digital or NationBuilder
  
  

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of grassroots organizing advocacy and community engagement strategies
• Knowledge of housing issues housing affordability challenges and displacement dynamics
• Knowledge of local government processes and how policy change occurs at the municipal level
• Familiarity with housing policy concepts such as zoning land use and regulatory barriers to housing development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to translate complex policy concepts into clear accessible messaging
• Skill in relationship-building with community members partners and organizational stakeholders
• Project coordination and time management skills including tracking tasks and meeting deadlines
• Proficiency with basic computer applications (e.g. email word processing spreadsheets)
• Ability to organize motivate and support community members and volunteers toward shared goals
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced campaign-oriented environment
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team
• Ability to engage respectfully with people holding diverse perspectives
• Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings or weekends as required by campaign activities
• Ability to travel locally to attend meetings events and outreach activities

Location and Travel

This position is an office position based in the Asheville North Carolina office. The position is expected to engage in multiple weekly in-person meetings frequent virtual meetings and phone calls. This position will require travel and face time within the communities throughout Asheville and surrounding areas and potentially locations outside of the area depending on the needs of the business. As such the right fit should have a valid drivers license and/or minimally reliable transportation. Travel costs are covered by the organization.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Work is performed in a traditional office setting with controlled temperatures and occasional and low to moderate noise levels.
• Occasional visits to the field may be required where the environment is hazardous (uneven ground in or on water etc.)
• Work requires prolonged sitting at a desk and using a computer.
• Ability to climb stairs as needed.
• May require occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. and infrequently up to 25 lbs.
  
  

Safety Expectations

• Follow company MountainTrues safety protocols and procedures.
• Report occupational injuries illnesses or near misses immediately.
• Participate in required safety training and accident investigations as needed.
• Identify and immediately report unsafe conditions to the appropriate staff member.
  
  

Compensation

This position is a part-time grant funded temporary employee position for an estimated 20 hours per week at $25/hour. This position is funded through 2026 and could be extended pending additional funding.

MountainTrue values and respects all types of diversity and strongly encourages applicants from traditionally marginalized groups to apply. We prohibit discrimination and harassment and provide equal employment opportunity without regard to and not limited to race ethnicity creed color religion age sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation national origin handicap marital status pregnancy status military/veteran status or any other class protected by applicable state or federal law. We are committed to recruiting hiring and promoting those from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Required Experience:

Senior IC