Employment Opportunities

Redistricting Community Organizer

The Opportunity

Job Announcement: Redistricting Campaign Organizer

(Grant-Funded Position)

March 2021

Background

Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) and OCEJ Education Fund are an affiliated pair of multicultural, multi-ethnic 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) environmental justice organizations

that are developing grassroots leadership and advancing an environmental justice

agenda in Orange County, California. Since their formation in 2016, OCEJ and OCEJ

Education have canvassed and surveyed 4,163 people across Orange County communities most vulnerable to environmental injustices; investigated and developed policy solutions to remediate soil-lead contamination in Santa Ana; initiated a water quality study through PhotoVoice research methodologies; launched an integrated voter engagement program; piloted a summer Environmental Justice Organizing Academy for youth; and built a membership base of 50+ people across Orange County, among other projects.

OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund are fiscally sponsored projects governed by an

Advisory Board comprised of leaders with a strong commitment to environmental

justice, knowledge of Orange County, and deep connections to local Latino/a/x and Asian

American/Pacific Islander communities. Currently, OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund is engaged in a county-wide electoral redistricting campaign, as members of the Orange County Civic Engagement Table (OCCET). Redistricting provides a once-a-decade opening to shift power in Orange County at all levels of government. In early 2021, OCCET and its partners will launch an aggressive redistricting effort in early 2021, engaging in robust local organizing, research, mapping, and advocacy with the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC), Orange County Board of Supervisors, and city, school board, water board, and other decision-makers.

To promote a progressive community voice in the redistricting process, OCCET will establish the People’s Redistricting Alliance (PRA), a multiracial coalition of community-based organizations and residents. Centering the lived experiences and needs of low-income communities and working families, OCCET and the PRA will pursue maps and other redistricting outcomes that maximize opportunities for year-round organizing, policy advocacy, and narrative shifts that advance the progressive transformation of Orange County.

OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund seek an experienced, highly motivated leader, organizer, and

strategic thinker to serve as a Redistricting Campaign Organizer. The Redistricting Campaign Organizer will report to the Project Director and will work in close collaboration with the Community Organizer and our partner organizations in OCCET to build a grassroots movement for county-wide electoral redistricting.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Redistricting Campaign Organizer position is an opportunity for a strategic and motivated relationship-builder to work with OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund staff, staff from other organizations in OCCET and the PRA, and resident leaders on a range of democracy and voting rights issues, with a special focus on redistricting. This position will also represent OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund in the People’s Redistricting Alliance and in local redistricting coalition meetings in Fullerton. If capacity allows, this position will also have the opportunity to support other existing advocacy campaigns as deemed appropriate by their supervisor. All activities associated with this position will be conducted remotely until further notice.

Key Responsibilities:

Advocate on behalf of OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund in its redistricting advocacy efforts for Orange County and the City of Fullerton.
In collaboration with staff from PRA partner organizations, organize a local coalition in Fullerton to advocate for community priorities in city council, school board, and water board redistricting processes, hosting monthly coalition meetings to discuss and advocate for redrawing of legislative districts at corresponding city council, school board, and water board levels.
Mobilize local redistricting coalition and values-aligned constituents to attend all public hearings organized by corresponding city council, school board, and water board.
Create educational materials and presentations related to the redistricting process in Fullerton and Orange County, and redistricting-related advocacy.
Represent OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund in monthly PRA meetings and weekly coordination calls with OCCET partners, offering guidance to OCCET staff in the drawing of Fullerton city council, school board, and corresponding water boards, as well as legislative districts at congressional, state senate, state assembly, and OC BOS levels.
May be asked to testify at public hearings in support of PRA objectives.
Help develop redistricting proposals aligned with PRA principles and practices.
May be asked to advocate with decision-makers in support of PRA objectives.
Provide feedback on draft maps released by CCRC and other decision-makers.
Participate in internal OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund meetings as deemed necessary.
Assist in grant processes involving the subject areas of democracy and voting rights.
Maintain a high-level of organization and accountability to expectations and deadlines.

Qualifications:

Previous experience with OCEJ and OCEJ Education Fund and/or with frontline communities facing the greatest impacts of environmental injustices, especially in Orange County.
Have the skills of critical analysis, and an understanding of problems from the root causes.
Previous experience or willingness to learn and support collective decision-making processes by consensus
Level of familiarity with or expertise in the issue areas of democracy reform, voting rights, or redistricting.
Ability to listen carefully, to de-escalate conflicts, and to support collectivity and a shared purpose.

Some experience with an issue-based campaign(s), including campaign strategy and tactics.
Ability to communicate complex policy with multiple audiences, particularly grassroots community members.
Ability to be self-guided and take initiative.

Strongly preferred:

2 or more years of experience organizing with BIPOC communities on issues of democracy reform and/or voting rights.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Vietnamese, or Khmer
Familiarity or past experience with grassroots organizing or coalition dynamics.
Strong communicator, including oral and writing.
Experience engaging elected officials and government policy makers.
Knowledge of Black, Indigenous, and/or immigrant/refugee issues.

Terms of Employment

The hourly rate is $20 per hour for 20 hours per week.
This is a part-time, exempt position.
This position is grant-funded for a year, and we are currently seeking funding to continue funding for an additional year, and to increase the weekly hours.
Partial health benefits (medical, dental, and vision).
The position will at times require irregular hours of work, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Must have reliable access to internet.

To apply

Submit a one-page cover letter, a one-page resume, and three professional references (all in .pdf format) to patricia@ocej.org by March 19, 2021, 5:00pm (PST). The anticipated interview and hiring timeline is as follows:

February 26, 2021 - Job Announcement

March 19, 2021 - Application window closes

March 22-26, 2021 - Schedule candidate interviews

March 29- April 2, 2021 - Conduct candidate interviews

April 5-April 10, 2021 - Internal review of candidates

April 13, 2021 - Hire Project Director

Orange County Environmental Justice and Orange County Environmental Justice Education Fund are projects of Tide Center. Tide Center is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.