Participatory Defense Organizer (Crimmigration)
Grassroots Leadership is seeking a full-time salaried Crimmigration Organizer for our Participatory Defense Program based in Austin, Texas. Some travel within the city and occasional travel outside of the city or state may be required. Salary for this position will be $53,000 a year with full benefits. Full-time staff members are automatically enrolled in comprehensive health care plans, and are able to take part in various employee benefits. This position requires work during evenings and weekends. The successful candidate will be trained by and report to the Immigration Program Director.
An ideal applicant will have the following experience, knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of the immigration and criminal justice system and a commitment to ending the disproportionate impact of mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization on communities of color
Have experience with case-management, base-building and/or advocacy work in the criminal-legal system, including the immigration system
Experience in meeting facilitation, agenda development, note taking
Strong written and oral communication skills; is a direct communicator, has strong interpersonal skills and knows how to meet people where they are at
Strong organizational skills; is self-motivated and takes initiative
One or more years of experience in community organizing: base-building and/or case management that empowers directly impacted communities
Experience conducting 1-1s and developing leadership
Able to strategically adapt to rapidly changing situations in a politically challenging environment and work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders–coalition partners, allies, attorneys, policy-makers, etc.
Ability to work collaboratively, effectively managing multiple moving projects at a time with different teams
Ability to communicate complex information in accessible terms and engaging ways
Direct experience being impacted by the crimmigration system personally or through a close personal relationship
Bilingual written and oral proficiency in English & Spanish
Strong applicants may also have:
Event planning experience
Experience working with Every Action (CRM), Google Suite and other databases or software task managements and communications systems
Familiarity with popular education methodology
Experience in mutual aid work
The duties and responsibilities of this position include:
Co-coordinate and facilitate 2 monthly in-person and 1 monthly virtual Participatory Defense meetings
Attend and support in the coordination 1 monthly General Assembly meeting of all Austin base members from all programs
Facilitate PD orientations bimonthly, as well as trainings and orientations to the criminal-legal systems
Coordinate quarterly community defense and preparedness clinics with member leaders and allies
Support the growth and development of Grassroots’ membership base of formerly incarcerated individuals and system-impacted people and their loved ones through participatory and community defense programming
Attend outreach events and promote the PD program
Conduct 1:1s and case follow-up work between PD meetings
Provide referrals and re-entry support to PD members
Coordinate court and check-in accompaniment with base and allies
Raise the profile of Grassroots Leadership's work by building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in and outside of the criminal legal system, (public defenders, private attorneys, service providers, etc.) and documenting them in our database.
Data-entry and coordination: Regularly maintain and use our database
Maintain regular communication with organizers across the organization and all PD program internal and external communications
Attends and supports with roles (facilitation, notes, time-keeping) at Austin biweekly staff meetings, State-wide biweekly staff meetings and weekly organizer huddles
Submits monthly expense reports and supports in the development of team budgets
Supports in the planning and execution of organizational events and actions, including our annual events: Dancing Away Detention, Night Out For Safety and Liberation, Day of the Dead
Identifies and elevates strategic PD cases and possible spokespeople or leaders to Immigration and Communication directors
Any other tasks assigned by the Director of Immigration Campaigns
About the organization:
Founded in 1980, Grassroots Leadership is a nationally recognized civil and human rights organization based in Austin, Texas working for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization are things of the past. We work to transform the justice and immigration systems through organizing, research, advocacy, and public education, building bridges between communities to increase the capacity of local leaders and coalitions, and mobilizing those most impacted by incarceration and deportation.
Grassroots Leadership is an equal opportunity employer and does not to discriminate in employing staff, or selection of volunteers, on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, justice involvement or conviction, veteran status, financial status or HIV status. Grassroots Leadership works affirmatively to build a staff and board that includes people of many different races, classes, genders, physical and mental abilities, ages and sexual orientations.
Grassroots Leadership is committed to investing in the leadership of people of color. Formerly incarcerated people, people who have family in prisons or have been impacted by the immigration enforcement system, women, queer, and trans people are encouraged to apply. We do not discourage or discriminate against people with convictions, and you will not be asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime on the application or interview. Please feel free to mention your experience with the criminal justice or immigration system as those experiences will be considered as an asset in this job.
Grassroots Leadership mission:
Grassroots Leadership is a Texas-based organization that works for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization are things of the past.
Grassroots Leadership vision:
One day, we envision a safe and healthy city, state and world where people have agency over their lives, and their lives are not interrupted by prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization.
How to Apply:
Please send your application to hr@grassrootsleadership.org, with Crimmigration Participatory Defense Organizer in the subject line, and include the following in PDF format:
Letter of introduction / Cover letter
Current resume/vitae
3 References
Questions about the position should also be directed to the same email address.
