Start Date: August 2022 and January 2023
Schedule: Full-time
Location: Charlottesville, VA and Richmond, VA
Who we Are
The Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART), one of the largest faith-based community organizing networks in the country. DART’s 28 affiliated organizations span 10 states. By harnessing the power of organized people, our local organizations hold political and economic systems accountable for acting fairly—pressing them to become more equitable and just. Since 1982 our network has fought for and won policy changes that have addressed systemic failures which disproportionately harm low-income communities as well as communities of color. Some of our victories include:
- Hundreds of millions of dollars invested in affordable housing
- Implementation of fair discipline policies in hundreds of schools, breaking the school-to-prison pipeline
- Nearly $950 million invested in public transportation
- Criminal justice reforms resulting in 30,000 fewer arrests of children
Why Choose DART
DART is a network of doers. We understand that the road to a society free of racism and economic injustice is a long one that requires dedication and persistence. To create lasting change, we must do work that extends beyond charity and advocacy—while important, these efforts generally only serve as temporary solutions to permanent, systemic problems. In a world where the interests of the wealthy are prioritized, DART seeks to create communities that honor people power as the true catalyst for change.
DART makes a significant investment in the training and development of our team. You do not need to have prior organizing experience, as we provide the training you’ll need to be successful. During your first five months, you will receive intensive, on-the-job training through the DART Organizers Institute. You will learn basic organizing principles and develop key organizing skills including: finding and developing leaders, issue research and strategy, power
analysis, and one-to-one meetings. Ongoing professional development will continue through individualized coaching and mentoring, as well as local, regional, and national staff trainings and retreats.
About the Work
Our local affiliate organizations are hiring full-time Community Organizers who will train people of faith to hold political and economic systems accountable for justice. Your work will empower everyday people to advocate on their own behalf for justice in the form of affordable housing, police reform, public transportation and more. In time, your efforts will result in a noticeable shift in the power dynamics of the local community.
Day-to-day, organizers spend most of their time in the field coaching community leaders and recruiting new congregations to join the organization’s work. Through three annual processes, DART organizations identify community problems, research viable solutions, and rally people to demand the implementation of those solutions by public officials. As an organizer, you will foster relationships, develop leaders, drive forward issue campaigns, and manage the logistics of various events.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Train and develop grassroots faith leaders how to engage others within their congregations in the fight for justice
- Guide grassroots faith leaders in conducting research and developing action plans for winnable issue campaigns
- Recruit new grassroots faith leaders and congregations into the organization
- Organizing public actions
- Coordinate an annual 6-8 week fundraising drive
- Conduct an average of 10 one-to-one meetings with clergy and lay leaders per week
- Understand and remain up-to-date on issues impacting your community on a local and national level
Who You Are
DART community organizers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The common denominators are a passion for justice and a strong desire to make change. As an ideal candidate, you are someone who is naturally curious, values strong relationships, and is energized by the prospect of uniting people around a common cause. You should be able to demonstrate a strong work ethic and ability to produce results through previous positions or other endeavors. Community organizers are afforded a great deal of autonomy when it comes to building their schedules. They also need to make themselves available to community members, many of whom work during the day, so the ideal candidate is able to work nights and weekends when needed.
Successful organizers value action without ego, both internally and externally. They thrive in a culture of accountability and work hard to secure results.
The ideal candidate does not have to be personally religious. Because you will be working with faith communities on a daily basis, you should have a genuine respect for the faith traditions of others.
DART organizers are multi-faceted and actively seek environments that allow them to use a variety of skills or hone new ones. The ideal candidate thrives in a space where no two days are the same and welcomes work that is mentally stimulating.
DART organizations are diverse coalitions that include communities of color, low-to-moderate-income communities and immigrant communities. We strongly encourage people from these backgrounds, as well as fluent Spanish speakers and DACA recipients, to apply.
Skills and Characteristics:
- Fluent in written and verbal Spanish language
- Core passion for justice and equity
- Excellent relationship-building skills
- Commitment to excellence in carrying out the organization’s mission
- Willingness to be trained to work with religious institutions
- Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a car
- Fluency in Spanish a plus
Compensation and Benefits:
Starting salary varies by location and is $42,500-$50,000 annually, plus health benefits, paid vacation, parental leave, mileage reimbursement, and more. Employer retirement contributions of 10-15% begin after one year of employment.
DART organizations are all equal opportunity employers.
To Apply
To apply, follow instructions outlined here: www.thedartcenter.org/apply
We also encourage candidates to attend an online info session: www.thedartcenter.org/events
