| Employment Type: Part-Time |
Summary:
CDR is seeking to build capacity in the Washington D.C. Beltway area in order to organize and advocate for policy issues which affect CDR's advocacy goals and the equality of disabled people. Our current D.C. priorities include:
- Securing cosponsors and supporters for the Disability Integration Act, important Federal legislation which secures for disabled people the Constitutional right to liberty, as well as for other Federal legislation which promotes the integration, independence, and equality of disabled people, as identified by CDR;
- Preventing cuts to Medicaid or other social safety net programs which will subject disabled people to privation or forced institutionalization;
- Advocating for the elimination of policies such as: subminimum wages for disabled workers; electronic visit verification; involuntary electroconvulsive behavior modification; inadequate reimbursement for complex rehabilitation technologies;
- Other priorities may emerge over time, as identified by CDR.
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Duties:
In furtherance of these priorities, the field organizer will be responsible to engage in grassroots organizing, policy analysis, and advocacy in and around Washington, D.C.
- Meeting with legislators, staffers, and policymakers in order to advocate for identified legislative and policy priorities;
- Organize phone-in, mail-in, and in-person actions to secure the support of legislators and policymakers for CDR priorities;
- Assist members of the disability community to contact their elected officials by developing materials for online and offline activism: action alerts, letter writing campaigns, lobby visits, and state-specific issue briefs and policy documents;
- Gathering information, formulating effective strategies, and coordinating advocacy efforts with CDR's Policy and Advocacy team.
- Maintain up-to-date overall activity calendar for engaging key audience targets, share and coordinate planning with other appropriate teams.
- Recruit new volunteer organizers and manage their development.
- Reach out to field organizers from other organizations and to other key allies.
- In coordination with CDR's Policy and Advocacy team, establish benchmarks and goals for Beltway grassroots organizing efforts.
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Skills:
- This is a part-time position of approximately 15 hours per week.
- Most of the time, this position will be supervised remotely, by CDR's Manager of Government Affairs, based in Albany, NY. The Field Organizer will also take strategic direction from CDR's Advocacy Director and CEO.
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Qualifications:
- While a Bachelor's degree is NOT required, the candidate must be able to speak and write both substantively and persuasively, at a level of skill for which a Bachelors degree is often preparation.
- At least 2 years of experience in grassroots organizing with volunteer management experience a plus;
- Strong understanding of the political process; comfortable breaking complicated policies and procedures down for a lay audience;
- Exceptional time management and prioritization skills; ability to multi-task and get work done under pressure;
- Good judgement, initiative, and ability to anticipate problems and follow through with confidence;
- Ability to take direction from remote supervisors and work in a distributed team setting;
- Proficiency in the use of IBM PCs and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
- An understanding of and commitment to CDRs mission, and disability rights in general;
- Familiarity with online organizing tools and the use of digital content to expand outreach and campaign engagements is a plus.
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| Language Required: None |
| Minimum Education: Associates Degree |
| Minimum Experience: 2-5 years |
| Contact Name: HR Department |
| Contact Email: resumes@cdrnys.org |
| Contact Phone: (585) 546-7510 |
| The Center for Disability Rights strives to be a participant controlled, cross disability organization that is reflective of the community it serves. CDR values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, cultural or ethnic group membership, disability status, educational level, family status, gender, income, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. CDR will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. |
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