THE OPPORTUNITY

Our Turn isn’t here to improve education. Our Turn is here to fight for education justice. Education justice looks like students exerting decision making power for their education. It is students and families elevating what works for them, and resources flowing to support their aspirations. It is students serving as the evidence base. It is the centering of Black, Indigenous, and students of color in data, curriculum, culture, communications, and funding.  Our Turn activates the next generation of diverse civic leaders who know what’s possible for all students because they’ve built power in their communities to dismantle inequities through grassroots organizing. In the past few months, our work and members have been recognized by Fast Company, Buzzfeed, The 74 Million, and more. 

We are hiring a part time CO Organizing Associate to mobilize student leaders around the newly released  CO Student Agenda to build the power of young people in Colorado  and raise public awareness of the issues and demands in the report. The LA Organizing Associate will support students in running events such as direct actions, house parties, and other mobilizations, so young people are leading the way toward a more equitable education system.

WHY WORK FOR OUR TURN

We approach our work with the audacity of believing that students have the power to rewrite the rules of education in our country and the humility to know that thousands have come before us in this fight. We know that young people, especially young people of color, have been shut out by decision makers who shape their educational experience and respond by providing transformational leadership development and grassroots organizing experience that flip the traditional power dynamic on its head. Our team is highly collaborative and works with urgency, passion, and — most importantly — a lot of joy. We are looking for strategic, entrepreneurial social justice activists to join us and continue the fight for education justice. 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Build a sustainable base of young BIPOC people in Colorado, including current public school students, recent alumni, and folks outside of schools impacted by education inequity
• Accountable for meeting ambitious metrics around student recruitment and engagement 
• Support student leaders in telling stories & garnering support around the CO Student Agenda, utilizing platforms such as social media, email, video, the website, and more
• Organize [a] outreach activities with volunteers including canvassing, phone/texting banking, and tabling, [b] leadership development and organizing activities such as trainings, leadership and committee meetings, [c] large-scale actions including community conversations, town halls, public meetings, and direct actions, and [d] digital communications, such as social media and email.
• Elevate information and intel about local education stakeholders and topics, including school board members, state assembly members, issue priorities, and policies by attending school board meeting and monitoring relevant news and information sources 
• Support execution of local messaging strategy, as represented in ongoing and campaign-specific communications, by collaborating on talking points,, social media, and other communications materials as necessary
• Create regular email and text communications to keep list informed of opportunities and campaign activities 
• Responsible for ensuring that data is up-to-date, and accurate. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• The desire to work smart, hard, with passion and love, and a deep hunger for advancing social justice through organizing! 
• Demonstrate passion to work in partnership with young people. 
• Experience as a political change agent, as exhibited by a previous participation in cycle of local grassroots organizing, leadership in a political campaign, and/or past roles in an advocacy or elected official’s office
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and communities 
• Collaborative work ethic and ability to work effectively across lines of difference 
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of an innovative team. 
• Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively, including speaking in small and large group settings.
• Foundational knowledge/ willingness to learn about Colorado public education ecosystem 
• Alignment with Our Turn’s Mission, and CO Student Agenda
• Ability to work evenings and some weekends. 
• Consistent access to a car and a valid driver’s license. 
• Must be willing to work flexible hours that will include time outside of the traditional work day and weekends.

STUDENT AGENDA & CO STUDENT STANDARD 

Read more about our student agenda for education equity here.

COMPENSATION 

This position will be paid at the rate of $22 per hour for up to 20 hours per week. 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY 

We strongly encourage young people who graduated from Colorado public schools, especially from Denver metro area school districts, to apply for this position. 

Our Turn encourages individuals of all identities and backgrounds to apply for this position and is committed to recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of our student movement (BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, first generation college students). Our Turn does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation of origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, or parenthood. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Fill out an application and upload your resume. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled and the first review of candidates. Please email [email protected] with any questions or requests for accommodations. We’re happy to help! Please visit Our Turn’s website (www.itsourturn.org) for more information.