Deputy Field Director

The Opportunity

Down Home North Carolina (DHNC) is seeking two full-time, temporary Deputy Field Directors to help plan, implement, and run Down Home’s 2022 elections program in rural North Carolina. The 2022 midterm elections will have definitive results for our government on the local, state, and national level for poor and working-class people across race. Down Home’s 2022 Election program aims to transform elections from the grassroots by electing working-class champions to office. Down Home is working to engage voters in small towns and rural areas through base building, leadership development, and canvassing. We are committed to building a long term base of working-class power through both community organizing and participating in elections on all levels of government. 

The ideal candidate is a people-person who is highly motivated to build a powerful multiracial base that wins changes for poor and working-class people in rural North Carolina. They are an experienced organizer, a strong staff manager, an effective project manager, are well-versed in data, and are committed to building power for the working-class. 

About Down Home North Carolina

Down Home North Carolina is a growing statewide organization of rural and small town communities that advocate for economic, gender, and racial justice. We move North Carolina toward the values of dignity, safety, and inclusion through leadership development, strategic campaigning, multiracial movement building, and civic engagement that advances positive, life-changing reforms for rural communities.

Founded in 2017, Down Home has built a strong organizational track record, including:

• Helping to elect the first Latinx state legislator in NC history
• Winning local campaigns to raise the minimum wage for city workers (Waynesville) and oppose the expansion of local jails
• Growing a statewide membership base that includes all 100 counties of North Carolina
• Anchoring the first southern, rural deep canvass and race-class narrative tests
• Driving statewide coalitions to fight for a just COVID-19 recovery and for Medicaid expansion

Buckets of responsibility: 

1. Successfully achieve key field program metrics through effective management of a multiracial, cross-class regional field team

• Recruit, hire, train a diverse field team that will include up to 6 organizers
• Set goals for the team and provide coaching, support and accountability to ensure the team is successful
• Track progress to goals; support and offer feedback when necessary
• Manage interpersonal dynamics on the team and be able to resolve conflict successfully
• Create a strong team culture that is collaborative and inclusive where all staff feel a sense of belonging

2. Help develop and implement Down Home’s 2022 Election Program 

• Assist the Field Director in developing a vision for the 2022 Election Program that will build a lasting base of support in multiple rural counties in NC, engage the community, build leaders, and win elections
• Work closely with Field Director and members to help identify priority local, state, and federal races
• Support the Directors Team on special projects related to the development and implementation of the elections program
• Be able to pivot from base building tactics, to leadership development, to elections work swiftly
• Build effective data systems for tracking voter contact and targeting

3. Be an organizational leader

• As a member of the Elections Leadership Team, help set the strategic agenda for the election program
• Represent Down Home with coalition partners, as a media spokesperson, and with other key stakeholders
• Serve as an exemplar of our values and contribute positively to the culture of the organization
• Model Racial, Equity, and Inclusion (REI) competencies at the highest level; bring equity and inclusion lenses to all aspects of our work; actively contribute to a more equitable and inclusive organization

Required skills and experience: 

• Experienced organizer: Has shown the ability to organize large groups of people for a cause or a campaign; has a true understanding of organizing skills including having effective one to ones, making hard asks, base building, propositions, and building trust and credibility with communities in small amounts of time. Has experience working in elections, either through campaigns or other entities. 
• Exceptional manager: Has demonstrated experience leading multiracial teams to accomplish results; able to cultivate organizer’s development through direct feedback as well as strong, inclusive, and equitable management practices. Able to work through conflict directly and in ways that build trust and relationships. 
• Project management skills: Is able to build systems and projects quickly, and accomplish goals under tight deadlines and high stress environments. Has the ability to inspire a team, build deep relationships, agitate organizers, and hold them accountable to their goals. Proven ability to manage complex schedule and responsibilities with minimal support or oversight
• Data skills: Has a good understanding of election related data. Able to understand and build datasets that are able to help Down Home effectively target the correct audiences for base building, persuasion, and GOTV. Knowledge of NGP VAN, ThruTalk, and Spoke is a plus. 
• Mission alignment: Committed to the vision of a  powerful, inclusive, rural, multiracial, working-class movement-building as a path towards liberation for all people. Is aligned with the idea that building power takes both election programs and long-term base building and investment in communities. 

Personal or professional experience living in rural communities, living in the South, rural organizing, and/or organizing in the South are a plus but not required. 

Some irregular hours are required, including nights and weekends. Location is flexible within North Carolina. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work.

Compensation

Compensation for this full-time, temporary (approximately 1-year) staff position is $65,000-$75,000 annually and includes best-in-class health and also offer a relocation stipend. Location is flexible within North Carolina. Applicants must be able and willing to travel regularly for work. 

How to Apply

Down Home NC is committed to creating a dynamic, multicultural, diverse working environment. Candidates of color and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Down Home NC is an equal opportunity employer and a unionized workplace.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority for applications received by December 6. If this job description is posted on Down Home’s website (www.downhomenc.org), we are still accepting applications.

Please send a resume and a short cover letter that includes your experience working with organizations to: jobs@downhomenc.org