Full time Organizer for GHIAA (Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance)

Who we are:

The Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) is a longstanding progressive social justice organization based in Hartford, CT, with a 174-year history. CLJ empowers leaders through neighborhood and multi-faith alliances to drive systemic change for social, racial, and economic justice.

The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA), an initiative of CLJ, is comprised of 52 diverse congregations and institutions in Greater Hartford who aggregate their people and institutional power to advance social justice issues. Current campaigns focus on affordable housing, tenant protections, immigrant rights, economic justice, and combating racial and religious hate. GHIAA's issues evolve based on members' experiences. Organizers support congregations and leaders in developing social justice skills.

Who we are looking for: We seek an experienced community organizer (or someone with demonstrated transferable skills) who is able to build relationships with diverse communities and organizations. The ideal candidate is deeply curious, a good listener, and passionate about congregational work for social justice. Interest and willingness to engage GHIAA leaders in the legislative process is required. You will join a team dedicated to organizing for justice within congregations and communities.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a disciplined routine of weekly individual meetings with existing and new leaders and powerbrokers
• Build and strengthen relationships with clergy and lay leaders from diverse institutions.
• Using the organization’s curriculum, train leaders in the skills and process of organizing
• For GHIAA's campaigns that involve legislative bills, training leaders to navigate the legislative process and advocate for GHIAA's position through written and oral testimony, meeting with legislators, and providing action alerts. Training provided
• Engage in ongoing anti-racism training and engage GHIAA leaders in similar educational opportunities
• Assist GHIAA leaders in identifying actionable issues from house meetings and develop strategic campaigns to influence decision-makers and win systemic change
• Organize and ensure strong turnout for public actions to push decision-makers on key issues
• Occasionally attend worship services and meetings to present GHIAA’s work to members and potential partners when opportunities exist.
• Work collaboratively with other CLJ staff and initiatives where goals align.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in organizing for social justice.
• Strategic thinker on systemic issues affecting low-income and minority communities.
• Experienced with low-income and immigrant communities.
• Skilled in engaging with interfaith groups.
• Committed to antiracism.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Organized, disciplined, and thrives in fast-paced settings.
• Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and insured vehicle required.
• No religious affiliation required.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $70,000-$75,000. The Center for Leadership & Justice offers excellent benefits, including health benefits and a pension plan.

Additional Information about the Center for Leadership and Justice:

The Center for Leadership and Justice and GHIAA’s leaders are committed to building an anti-racist organization. CLJ makes available regular anti-racism training for GHIAA leaders and clergy, as well as the staff and board of directors for the Center for Leadership and Justice. In addition, while our organization was founded by Christian congregations, we have grown from those origins into a strong commitment to interfaith engagement. We are committed to continuing to grow in both antiracism and pluralism as we move forward.

Recognizing the importance of family relationships, CLJ is committed to being family friendly. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all races and sexual/gender identifications to apply.

At this time, GHIAA is not affiliated with a national organizing network, but is led by professional organizers with over 30 years of experience and training from various national networks such as the Industrial Areas Foundation.