POSITION DESCRIPTION

State Campaign Organizer

Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000

Reports to: Chief Advocacy Officer, REFORM

Location: Pennsylvania

Organization Overview

REFORM Alliance exists to dramatically reduce the number of people who are unjustly under the control of the criminal justice system – starting with probation and parole. To win, we aim to change laws and policies, and simultaneously, change the nationwide narrative around criminal justice reform.

REFORM was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. The Board includes award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner, businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist Clara Wu Tsai; and co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Priscilla Chan. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.

Purpose:

REFORM seeks a State Campaign Organizer to lead our bi-partisan state criminal justice reform efforts across Pennsylvania.

The State Campaign Organizer will help to build a network, engage groups, and enlist their support in educating state and federal lawmakers about criminal justice issues. REFORM will amplify partners’ work and consult them in identifying the most pressing and winnable issues. Through the network, we maintain a direct line of communication with those who can speak personally and forcefully on the impact that incarceration has on a person’s family, future, and community.

The State Campaign Organizer will work with REFORM staff and partners to monitor the development of legislative and administrative actions at the state level, lead strategic campaign planning efforts, mobilize constituencies, and build coalitions with grassroots and policy experts in local and state jurisdictions.

The State Campaign Organizer will liaise with local elected, community leaders such as business, influencers, and grassroots organizers, to introduce, pass, and support criminal justice legislation. Candidates must be strong writers, have excellent research skills, and comfortable working under multiple, competing deadlines. Candidates who have been personally impacted by the criminal justice system and/or are deeply committed to bipartisan reform efforts are encouraged to apply. We also look for people comfortable working with a small, fast-paced, and highly dedicated team.

Responsibilities

• 
  In partnership with staff at REFORM, develop and manage a campaign to drive momentum and action by key stakeholders for robust probation and parole policy through organizing and coalition building.
• Use analytics provided by Research and Implementation to sharpen state-based campaigns and strengthen impact.
• Lead, expand and engage the Probation and Parole REFORM supporter base in Pennsylvania by building diverse networks of supporters and advocates.
• Coordinate with the Legal and Communication department to develop a robust program to get the real experiences of people in Pennsylvania into the media and in front of key legislators, including identifying story bank participants and conducting interviews to develop their stories.
• Represent REFORM within various coalitions and collaborate and develop relationships with current and new partners to build a robust, multi-faceted campaign.
• Plan and facilitate roundtables/town halls and other events in collaboration with the Regional Director, Sr. Director of Membership and Organizing and Communication department.
• Build and maintain relationships with local organizations, city officials, and community leaders throughout the State.
• Co- Manage the state Reformers program including legislative training and call to action
• Represent REFORM within various coalitions and collaborate and develop relationships with current and new partners to build a robust, multi-faceted campaign.
• Some travel for campaign related actions, conferences, and for staff gatherings.

Qualifications

In this role and at REFORM you should be a strategic thinker and have great organizing abilities.

You should have:

• Exceptional writing skills. The ability to communicate information clearly in writing is fundamental to this role. You will be asked to draft campaign documents, edit others, and communicate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to develop campaign assets.
• Effective communication skills. The ability to clearly communicate with the staff you are working within the organization is important; especially in fast-paced moments, you’ll need to be clear and ask for clarity in return.

• An entrepreneurial spirit. This ambitious drive is necessary for owning the work in your issue area and should also be combined with the ability to be creative and work quickly.

• Top-notch organization skills. There’s a lot to keep track of in this role, and nothing can fall through the cracks. Meeting quick deadlines is key.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and act decisively.
• Team Player: ability to work effectively with diverse grassroots constituencies, policymakers, and internal staff.
• 2-5 years’ experience leading state or national, issue-based campaigns with a strong preference for criminal justice policy.
• Access to Bipartisan networks in Pennsylvania
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain coalitions in support of legislative campaigns and strong background as a successful organizer and/or campaigner.
• Local, state, and/or federal legislative experience, preferably in Pennsylvania
• Communications experience particularly earned media and savvy digital media skills.
• Strong research and policy analytical skills.
• Experience in effectively building and maintaining relationships with coalition partners and various stakeholders, and an ability to develop tactics that engage paid leave supporters and partners in a coherent campaign strategy to win.

Skills

The following skills are not prerequisites, but qualified candidates will be able to learn them quickly during on-boarding and on the job training in the first 6 months of the position

• Adeptly use our suite of online organizing tools to stage email blasts, landing pages, donation pages, etc.
• Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM’s

REFORM is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strive for a workforce that reflects the population that we serve.

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