Democracy Organizer

ABOUT US

Unidos MN is an immigrant-led, multiracial, statewide organization building power with Minnesota working families to advance social, racial, and environmental justice. Born out of the immigration justice movement, we organize around immigration, democracy, education, healthcare, worker justice, and climate justice.

We believe protecting democracy requires more than voting. It requires organized people who are prepared to act together in their workplaces, communities, and the public arena. Our Democracy Defense work brings together workers, community members, and local leaders to hold powerful institutions accountable, protect our freedoms, and build a government and economy that work for everyone. Our medium-term goal is to build a community of leaders who take responsibility in the public arena. Our long-term North Star is a healthy, high-functioning multiracial democracy where nobody is left behind. We are tens of thousands of Minnesotans united by a choice: to build a future where everyone can thrive, regardless of ZIP code, immigration status, who they love, or how they pray.

POSITION SUMMARY

Unidos MN is seeking a full-time Democracy Organizer based in the Twin Cities metro area. This organizer will focus primarily on building a base of corporate workers who are ready to organize within their workplaces and communities as part of Unidos MN’s broader Democracy Defense strategy. Major corporations have tremendous influence over workers’ lives, Minnesota’s economy, and our democracy. The Democracy Organizer will identify and develop workers who can organize their coworkers, move corporate decision-makers, participate in public campaigns, and help build the organized people power needed to defend democracy.

At Unidos MN, we believe everyday people, especially those directly affected by inequality, have the power to solve the most critical problems facing our society. Through campaigns, leadership development, and collective action, we cultivate leaders who are ready to take responsibility for themselves, their workplaces, and their communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Organizing

  • Identify and build relationships with corporate workers, particularly workers interested in workplace organizing, corporate accountability, and Democracy Defense.

  • Conduct 10 to 15 one-to-one organizing conversations each week.

  • Coach workers to organize coworkers and build teams within their workplaces.

  • Help workers connect their workplace experiences to broader questions of democracy, corporate power, and the working-family issues affecting their communities.

  • Recruit workers and community members to participate in workplace actions, strikes, corporate pressure campaigns, legislative advocacy, meetings with local elected officials, and other public actions.

  • Organize presentations, trainings, meetings, and events where workers and community members can learn about the campaign, shape its direction, and take action.

• Leader recruitment, retention and development 

  • Recruit leaders through workplace canvassing, phone calls, online outreach, events, and referrals from existing leaders.

  • Meet regularly with leaders to understand their experiences, develop their organizing skills, and build a supportive and accountable team culture.

  • Facilitate orientations and trainings for new members.

  • Support leaders in taking on increasing responsibility within campaigns and organizing teams.

  • Maintain systems for tracking recruitment, leadership development, training participation, and member-led work.

• Democracy Defense Campaigns and Actions

  • Work with corporate workers, community leaders, staff, and coalition partners to develop and carry out Democracy Defense campaigns.

  • Help leaders identify corporate decision-makers and other public targets with the power to act.

  • Coordinate with coalition partners and leaders on campaign strategy, escalation, and action planning.

  • Take primary responsibility for major actions and campaign peaks, including logistics, turnout, leader preparation, and follow-up.

  • Coach leaders to plan actions, take on public roles, share their stories, and move others to act.

  • Develop and carry out organizing plans that build participation, test the strength of the organization, and escalate pressure strategically.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in labor, community, electoral, or issue-based organizing.

• Commitment to racial, social, economic, and environmental justice and to building a healthy multiracial democracy.

• Experience with core organizing practices such as conducting one-to-one conversations, identifying and developing leaders, building committees, making organizing propositions, planning major turnout efforts, and developing escalating campaign plans.

• Ability to build trusted relationships with workers and community members across differences.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback and a willingness to invest in relationships with other members of the team.

• Willingness to experiment, learn, and approach challenges creatively.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of Voter Activation Network (VAN) or the ability to learn VAN and other organizing databases.

• Bilingual in Spanish or Somali, or demonstrated experience organizing within African American or Indigenous communities, is strongly preferred.

• A valid Minnesota driver’s license and reliable access to transportation are required.

This position includes workplace and community canvassing throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The organizer must be able to spend up to five hours at a time on their feet, work outdoors in changing weather conditions, and walk up and down stairs.

HOURS AND COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position. Regular evening and weekend work will be required to accommodate workers’ schedules, community meetings, trainings, and public actions.

• Salary: $50,000 to $60,000, depending on experience

• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and vacation

• Additional organization-wide office closures for staff breaks

• Opportunities for leadership and professional development

• Full benefits provided after a three-month probationary period

HOW TO APPLY

Send a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to ulla@unidos-mn.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled.