Job: Community Organizer for CCISCO

Community Organizer for CCISCO (Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization) working with congregations and community-based institutions for community change in Contra Costa County.  CCISCO use the congregation-based community organizing model and are a proud affiliate of the PICO National Network.   CCISCO is building a powerful, multi-ethnic organization that is transforming Contra Costa County into a place of justice and equity.  CCISCO is proud to be part of the PICO National Network, one of the largest and fastest growing community organizing efforts in the country.  PICO is lifting a new vision for America that is rooted in our faith values and democratic traditions.  

An organizer has responsibility for training congregational, school and neighborhood leaders to develop Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) and the CCISCO county-wide federation to improve conditions for their families. CCISCO has a strong learning culture, including weekly staff development and coaching opportunities, and PICO regional and national trainings. CCISCO place a high priority on personal learning, relationship building, and creating a respectful multi-ethnic, multi-faith, and multilingual organization.

Specific responsibilities include:
 
  • Develop volunteer leaders and community organizing committees in member congregations using the PICO model of congregation-based community organizing
  • Conduct 20 one-to-one visits per week with new or established organizational leaders and influential, external leaders on a consistent and regular basis.
  • Guide community organizing committees through research and action on local issues
  • Participate in national network efforts to move policy at state and national levels
  • Participate in fundraising and administrative activities as required
  • Participate in professional development sessions and other training activities.
Desired qualifications include:

  • Experience in social justice, political, or community development work
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.   Self-directed and highly motivated.
  • Strong presentation, training, and writing skills 
  • Keen analytical skills 
  • Ability to work with diverse religious congregations and racial/ethnic communities
  • Candidates must successfully complete a one-to-one interview process.
  • Multilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
  • Bachelor’s degree or comparable level of experience or education.
Additional qualities desired:
  • Intelligence—not degrees or titles, but the ability to think, reflect, communicate, challenge the conventional wisdom, make judgments in complicated situations, and show flexibility
  • Edge--not temper, not ideological fervor, but a clear sense of what’s wrong, impatience in the face of that wrong, and a drive to address it
  • A willingness to cross race and culture—desire to work people unlike yourself, people of other races, classes, orientations, faiths
  • A track record—evidence of attempting to relate people and to respond to situations that call out for action and impact in whatever field or career or endeavor has occupied your time

CCISCO is seeking an organizer to work with our member institutions in Richmond and Western Contra Costa County.  CCISCO has 26 member institutions (congregations, schools, youth committees) that represent over 35,000 families and are a powerful force for justice that spans the entire county

.  
CCISCO is all a part of PICO – People Improving Communities through Organizing. With more than 1,000 member institutions representing 1million families in 150 cities and 17 states, PICO is one of the largest community-based efforts in this country. Together, PICO is lifting up a new vision for American that unites people across region, race, class and religion.

Important:
Full time position with considerable evening and occasional weekend work

Compensation and Benefits:
Starting salary: $40,000-$45,000 depending on experience; benefits include excellent health plan and retirement plan.

To Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume jobs@ccisco.org.

Want a career that will change the world?
CCISCO & PICO are looking for passionate people who want to work for justice by helping people of faith unlock their power and potential.  

Families across the U.S. are under tremendous pressure. From a stagnating economy to rising health care and housing costs to failing schools, the “world as it is” can be quite overwhelming for millions of Americans. For most, these pressures seem beyond their control.  CCISCO/PICO believes that organized people can and will make a crucial difference in determining the course our country takes. When given the proper training, motivation, and support, ordinary people can take extraordinary steps to improve their communities. CCISCO/PICO organizers work closely with congregations and community leaders, cultivating a sense of hope and possibility while working to create tangible solutions to the issues we face.

CCISCO & PICO are looking for creative people who want to develop innovative solutions to some of society’s most pervasive social issues.  

Many of the problems facing our communities have become so woven into our everyday experience that new possibilities can be difficult to ponder. And systems that are rewarded by the status quo can be resistant to thinking of new ways of doing business.  CCISCO/PICO is committed to creating innovative solutions to pervasive social problems.  CCISCO/PICO organizers work with people to help them expand their notions of what is possible, and to develop avenues for turning this possibility into reality. Through CCISCO/PICO’s research process, community members themselves become the experts on the issues affecting them and learn how to develop – and implement – the solutions they think will work best.

CCISCO & PICO are looking for committed people who want to join a community of over 150 organizers called to work for grassroots, democratic change across the U.S.  

CCISCO/PICO believes organizing is more than just a job – it is a vocation. PICO organizers approach their work with a deep sense of calling to help people become leaders and change agents in their communities.  CCISCO/PICO builds “learning organizations” – where every day is an opportunity for reflection and growth, and where every individual brings an important perspective. CCISCO/PICO believes that organizing is a profession that is best learned by constantly honing one’s own skills and awareness. Led by a core group of experienced staff, PICO provides organizers with on-going opportunities for personal and professional development and advancement.

CCISCO and PICO are looking for inspired people who want to participate in a prophetic undertaking – the creation of a just world right here, right now.  

CCISCO and PICO believe in taking responsibility for creating a world guided by our faith, our shared sense of values, and our common vision. We are the ones that we have been waiting for. It’s time to act. Will you join us?

See www.ccisco.org for a further description of CCISCO and www.piconetwork.org for more information on the PICO National Network and our organizing model).